International Glass Conference: 1 October to 4 October 2010

In 2010, 400 years of glassmaking is being celebrated in Scotland with a whole year of events. The International Glass Conference will take place at Edinburgh College of Art from 1st to 4th October 2010.

In addition to a wide variety of speakers, there will be three days of demonstrations for specialists and the general public, bringing the magic of glass to everyone. Scottish glassmakers will be showcasing their work to an international audience during this event.

Wigtown Book Festival: 24 September to 3 October 2010

The Wigtown Book Festival is set in glorious rolling countryside in the shadow of the Galloway hills and a stone's throw from the Solway Firth, the royal burgh of Wigtown is Scotland's National Book Town. It has often been described as a sort Hay-on-Wye with a kilt: the ancient market town has more than 15 bookshops. It's also home to the Wigtown Book Festival (24 September to 3 October 2010), the largest annual literary gathering in Scotland outside Edinburgh.

Now in its second decade, the VisitScotland Thistle-award winning festival has almost doubled in size over the past three years and its reputation has grown as well. Last year, The Guardian picked the event as one of the UK's top five literary festivals. The Scotsman has been equally enthusiastic. "It may only have a population of 1,000," its reporter wrote, "but Wigtown doesn't just punch above its weight when it comes to attracting big name authors, it punches above pretty much everybody else's weight, too."

One of the things that makes this festival unique is the level of community involvement. Set up originally as part of a project to reinvigorate a (then) rather down-at-heel town, it relies on dozens of local volunteers. More than 10 per cent of the town's people give their time. The result is an event that oozes friendliness. Visitors tend to get the personal touch.

Recent speakers have ranged from Top Gear’s James May to Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle; from a political firebrand such as George Galloway to distinguished Scottish writers like James Kelman, Janice Galloway, AL Kennedy and Alasdair Gray. There are also events for children as well as music, theatre and film. This year’s programme will be released towards the end of July, but among those who have already confirmed attendance are Ian Rankin, Gervase Phinn, Jackie Kay, Andrew Greig, Richard Holloway, Allan Massie and Rupert Thomson.

Crossing Borders Art Trail: 3 – 5 September 2010

The third annual Crossing Borders Art Trail spanning the whole of the Scottish Borders and right into North Northumberland is almost here!

Travel through the rolling Border countryside, meet more than 60 artists and craft makers in village halls and galleries throughout the trail and get a rare look behind the scenes in over 30 studios seldom open to the public.

For a FREE Crossing Borders Art Trail guide booklet fill in either of the forms on their website.

Scottish Borders Walking Festival - 4th-12th September 2010

The 16th Scottish Borders Walking Festival will take place in Peebles, in the heart of the Tweed Valley.

Boasting some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Scotland, the Tweed Valley is less than an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh and only a couple of hours north of Newcastle, but a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Scottish Borders Walking Festival, the longest established walking festival in Scotland, is a 9-day festival of walks and a full programme of social events, to suit all ages and abilities.

Allow their friendly and knowledgeable walk leaders to guide you through the unspoilt scenery of the Tweed Valley, exploring the delightful towns of Peebles, Innerleithen, West Linton, Walkerburn and Selkirk.

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight 2010: 4 September to 19 September

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight celebrates the country’s produce and takes place 4th – 19th September. This year’s Fortnight is a highlight of the Year of Food & Drink with a wide variety of supporting activities across the country.

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight will continue to highlight the healthy, locally sourced food and drink available throughout the country.

The 2010 celebration aims to be the biggest yet, with a host of foodies, chefs, schools and businesses enthusiastic about getting involved. Events will be held the length and breadth of the country to showcase Scotland's high quality and diverse produce.

Exploring the Historic Battlefields of Scotland

Battles were often iconic events in Scottish history, and battlefields form an important part of our historic environment. The proof of this statement resounds in the archaeological and historical literature. Battles scenes are inscribed on rock or metal or clay in nearly every period of every culture known to us today. The great and small battles of history and prehistory live with us today; and so battlefield sites make interesting places to visit and learn about.
Battlefields Trust Resource Centre is essential reading for anyone planning to visit a battlefield. Included are maps, images, air photos, walking and driving tours, research tools, and much more.

Here are some of the key battles in Scotland's history for visitors to research & explore:
Killiecrankie, Perthshire - a dramatic gorge where, in July 1689, the outnumbered Highlanders smashed a much larger government force.

Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness - This evocative site was the scene of the last major battle fought on mainland Britain where the Duke of Cumberland finally defeated the Jacobite rebellion in 1746. Brand new Visitor Centre with state of the art 360° immersion theatre, exhibition and spectacular roof-top views of the battlefield.

Bannockburn, near Stirling, is the site of King Robert the Bruce's victory against Edward II's army in 1314 marking a major step in Scotland's quest for independence. Battlefield site where the fate of the nation of Scotland was decided when Robert the Bruce and his army defeated the army of Edward II of England on the 23rd and 24th June 1314.

Massacre of Glencoe, Argyll, is the site of the infamous massacre in 1692 of some 38 MacDonalds by government militia made up of Campbells, an act which reverberated around Scotland.

Then after a long day of trekking through the moors and glens of these historic events (not to mention listening to countless audio visual aids), you know you can relax in the comforts of a quality self-catering property with the help of the EmbraceScotland website. Take a look at the Regional pages for specific areas of Scotland you wish to stay in. Or if you are looking for a last minute bargain, see what the Late Availability pages have to offer.

Dundee Flower & Food Festival 2010: 3 - 5 September 2010

The Dundee Flower & Food Festival 2010 is the region's top lifestyle event taking place over 3 days, offering the best in food, horticulture and live entertainment.

The packed weekend programme includes free cookery and gardening demonstrations, children's activities, a craft fair, the chance to buy an amazing range of plants and quality food products and much more. The 2010 Festival plays host to the National Vegetable Society's Championships, and helps the Society celebrate its 50th anniversary.

We also have TV celebrity duo, The Hairy Bikers, dropping in. The two cooks, who have become known to millions of television viewers as they combine their love of motorcycling with down-to-earth cookery programmes, will be spending two days cooking and mingling with visitors to the Festival.