Scotland’s Coastal Trail

The Coastal Trail is a journey through some of Scotland’s most unspoilt and picturesque coastline.

Along the way you’ll find cliff tops and coves, beaches and bays and quaint little fishing villages. Many of these fishing villages feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Each coastal town and village has its own maritime history, and many of them still have traditional fishing fleets in use today.

There is a wealth of wildlife on the coast with the Moray Firth being home to the largest colony of bottle nosed dolphins in the UK along with seals, porpoises, and whales.

Along the 165 mile trail there are eight nature reserves such as Troup head along the Banffshire coast.

The Marie Curie Zipslide and Treetop Challenge: 29 May 2011

Go wild over this tree top adventure!

If you're itching to channel to your inner Tarzan and swing through the trees, you'll go ape over this giant tree top obstacle course.

Take part in this amazing outdoor adventure and raise money to help our Marie Curie Nurses continue caring for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses.

Scale 30 foot heights, zip slide through forest and tackle high wire rope bridges at Go Ape in Beecraigs Country Park in the picturesque hills of Bathgate.

Participants must be over 4.7 inches (1.4 m) tall and under 20.5 stones (130 kg). Children aged 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult. For harness size restrictions, visit the GoApe website (http://www.goape.co.uk/).

Event costs: £10 registration with a minimum raise of £100.

To register or for more information, contact the Events Team on 0870 034 0040, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/goapebeecraigs2011 or email us at events@mariecurie.org.uk.

Register early to make sure you get to start swinging at the time of your choice!

Edinburgh International Film Festival: 15 to 26 June 2011

This summer, Edinburgh International Film Festival celebrates its 65th year of bringing the best in film to Edinburgh.

EIFF 2011 runs from 15 June to 26 June and will be bursting with great films, top guests and brilliant film events; there’s something for everyone this year.

The EIFF 2011 programme launches 17 May with tickets on general release 20 May. If you become a Filmhouse Member, you can get two days exclusive advance booking for EIFF tickets on 18 and 19 May.

Get the latest news, updates on EIFF at http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/ and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Taste of Grampian: 4 June 2011

Taste of Grampian, the one-day food and drink festival - a great day out for all the family. This popular annual event, which this year celebrates its 12th anniversary, allows visitors to discover and sample the wide range of high quality food and drink products from Grampian in the north east of Scotland. Local producers invite you to taste and buy the finest smoked salmon, mouth-watering shortbread, delicious ice-cream, sumptuous prime roast beef, creamy fudge and maybe a dram or two of the best Scottish whiskies from local distilleries and much more. The festival programme also includes music, children's entertainment, arts & crafts, cookery competitions & demonstrations. Our celebrity chefs Simon Rimmer, Jean-Christophe Novelli and guests will ensure a fun packed day for all. Join us again on Saturday 4th June 2011 at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.

RSPB ‘Date with Nature’ Events: 8 June and 10 July 2011

The RSPB are organising two seabird cruises in the Firth of Forth as part of their ‘Date with Nature’ events. The Maid of the Forth will be sailing at 6.30pm on Wednesday the 8th of June and again at 9am on Sunday the 10th of July from Hawes Pier in South Queensferry. This yearly event is a great chance to see some amazing wildlife so close to Edinburgh – possibly puffins, seals and dolphins. The cruise lasts three hours and commentary will be provided by expert spotters who will point out the interesting bird and marine life. Adult tickets are £13.50, children £6.50 and family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) are £35. For more information and to book contact the Maid of the Forth on 0131 331 5000

Angus Glens Walking Festival 2011: 2 to 5 June 2011

Now in its ninth year the Angus Glens Walking Festival will run from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June 2011. The programme provides the opportunity to experience the panoramic views of the Angus Glens and fabulous walks along the coastline. It includes a diverse range of walks – from all-abilities through country parks to extremely strenuous climbs up challenging Munros. 2011 sees the introduction of two new evening events. Walkers are welcomed on Thursday with a quiz to test their knowledge of the hills and glens as well general knowledge and, on Friday, they can experience a Taste of Angus with a demonstration of local food, drink and culture. On Saturday the Ceilidh Supper returns to allow walkers to dance the night away with old and new-found friends. To book your place on the Angus Glens Walking Festival, visit www.angusahead.com/walkingfestival , or call the VisitScotland Visitor Information Centre on 01382 527527.

The Marie Curie Whole Hog Challenge, Balfron: 21 May 2011

Go hog wild for adventure in the Scottish countryside!

Climb up waterfalls, scramble through mud and test your endurance in this unforgettable challenge.

Take part in the third Whole Hog Challenge in Balfron and raise money to help our Marie Curie Nurses continue caring for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses.

The six mile assault course takes you through the rugged and beautiful terrain of Scotland. Once you’ve completed the course, we’ll celebrate your achievement in grand style with a hog roast party.

Make it a daring day out with friends, a team building exercise with colleagues or brave this exciting challenge on your own.

Participants must be aged 18 or over.

An outdoor clothing kit list will be provided upon booking.
Event Costs: £35 registration (£105 team of 3) with a minimum raise of £150 (£450 team of 3).
To register or for more information, contact the Events Team on 0870 034 0040, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/wholehogbalfron or email us at wholehog@mariecurie.org.uk.

Registration is required prior to the event.

Gardening Scotland 2011: 3 to 5 June 2011

WHAT is it that gardeners love more than anything else? Plants. At Gardening Scotland 2011 there will be so many gorgeous blooms for sale that the only problem will be how to carry them all home. Gardening Scotland is the national flower show and this year it will bring together top nurseries from all over the country. For three days, the festival will pack the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh with hundreds of thousands of their finest flowers. Exhibiting this year will be experts on everything from alpines to alliums and many other exciting plants including dahlias, gladioli, hostas, heucheras and ferns. Not only will they be selling to visitors, they will also be sharing the wisdom and experience gained through growing top quality plants over many years. So if you want to know how best to grow a clematis; identify trees that will provide interest over several seasons; discover which agapanthus will give the longest display, or pose any of hundreds of other gardening queries, then this is where you will find the answers. Many of the nurseries who take part in Gardening Scotland offer special prices throughout the three days, so a visit to the Show is an invaluable way of restocking borders or replacing plants lost during last winter’s heavy snows. The friendly atmosphere means that even novice gardeners will feel perfectly at home. And when you come along to Gardening Scotland 2011, don’t forget to visit the Dobbies Pallet Garden area.This is where schools and gardening clubs from across Scotland compete to create the best mini-plots. From tiny allotments to miniature back yards, complete with washing on the line, these little gardens are perfect in every way.

Portsoy Folk Festival: 27 to 29 May 2011

Bringing tradition back to the future.

The Portsoy Folk Festival presents a weekend of concerts, sessions, and workshops in the beautiful village of Portsoy on the Banffshire Coast.

From informal jam sessions to grand concerts, there is sure to be a venue that suits the musician within you.