Pittenweem Arts Festival: 6th - 14th August

If you're planning a holiday to Fife this August stop by pretty-as-a-picture Pittenweem for the annual Arts Festival, currently in its 29th year. Around thirty artists actually reside in this fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife and Pittenweem itself is often the subject of paintings.

The invited artists this year are Kate Downie, Helen Denerley, Alex Muir, Pum Dunbar and a specially curated exhibition of work from students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art.

In addition to this, there are over 100 artists exhibiting in a number of places around the village, including studios, houses, gardens, garages etc, and an Open Art Exhibition. All of the exhibitions, including the invited artists' exhibitions, are free to visitors of the Arts Festival.

For the latest news and information you can follow their blog, or find out more about exhibitions, workshops, events, the children's festival and travel on the Pittenweem Arts Festival website.

If you're thinking about visiting this beautiful area of Scotland this summer, why not take a look at quality assured self catering accommodation in Fife.

3 Steps to Planning the Perfect Fishing Holiday in Scotland

August is a great time to go fishing in Scotland, with the best runs for salmon occuring now. Whether you're an experienced angler or someone who has always wanted to get a taste of Scottish fishing, you're sure to get 'hooked'! If you haven't yet experienced Scottish fishing and you don't know where to start, here are 3 steps to help you plan the perfect fishing holiday in Scotland.

Decide what you want to catch
The first step is to decide what kind of fishing you want to do - are you keen on sea fishing or coarse fishing, or would you prefer to fish for salmon or trout on a loch or river?  Browse these useful websites on fishing in Scotland to get some ideas:

http://www.fishing-scotland.net/
http://www.wild-fishing-scotland.co.uk/
http://www.speyonline.co.uk/
http://www.flyfish-scotland.com/
http://www.fishscotland.co.uk/
http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com

Decide where you want to fish
Which part of Scotland do you want to see? Have a closer look at where you can fish with this handy fishing map of Scotland, which also has links to more detailed maps and further information. If you are looking for exciting fishing in spectacular scenery, Scotland will not disappoint you.

Decide where you want to stay
If you really want to make the most of your fishing holiday, why not stay in a local holiday cottage? Self-catering gives you all the flexibility and freedom you need; come and go as you please, lay out your equipment, dry your clothes, and freeze or grill your catch all in your home-from-home.  Why not cast a line into our pool of self-catering accommodation for Scottish fishing for more ideas on where to stay during your Scottish fishing experience.

Where is your favourite fishing spot in Scotland? Where would you love to fish in Scotland? Do you have any tips for planning a fishing holiday? Please leave your comments below.

Ayr Flower Show: 5th - 7th August

Every year thousands of visitors flock to the beautiful Rozelle Estate in Ayr for Scotland's answer to the Chelsea Flower Show - the Ayr Flower Show. With its stunning setting of ponds, feature trees and woodland walks, as well as the magnificent Rozelle Mansion House and Galleries, it is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy the best of British horticulture and admire gardens created specifically for the event. It's a great day out for all the family, with:

• hundreds of amateur competitions, including vegetable growing, flower arranging, home baking, crafts and photography
• a children's flower show
• cookery demonstrations
• floral art demonstrations
• musical entertainment
• children's entertainment
• gardener's question panel
• samples of speciality food and drink

There is information on Exhibitors and Show Classes, as well as location and directions and admission on the Ayr Flower Show website. Tickets booked before 21st July will receive a discount, so be quick!

The Ayr Flower Show is all about excellence and if you are looking for quality accommodation, why not browse the selection of quality assured self-catering holiday cottages on http://www.embracescotland.com/.

7 Reasons to Love Self-Catering

Why do we love self-catering?  Let me count the ways!  Here are 7 reasons why self-catering should be your top holiday choice for summer 2011.  Self-catering gives you:

1. flexibility - the freedom to do your own thing in your own time. Flexibility with meal-times in particular is always a popular reason for choosing a holiday cottage over a hotel
2. value for money - a more economic way to have the perfect holiday
3. an authentic experience of a city/village/area - find out what life is like as a local
4. the chance to customise your holiday to your own needs - search for somewhere that suits your exact requirements
5. privacy - spend time together in a relaxing environment
6. comfort - in your home away from home
7. the perfect setting for large family get-togethers or group holidays

Do you have any other reasons? What do you love about self-catering in Scotland? Leave your comments below.

For quality assured self catering holiday cottages in Scotland take a look at EmbraceScotland. Embrace self-catering with EmbraceScotland.

Speyfest 2011: 26th - 31st July

Concerts, ceilidhs and Celtic rock - put your dancing shoes on for the 16th annual Speyfest, from the banks of the River Spey in the Moray town of Fochabers. Nominated in the Best Small Festival and the Best Grassroots Festival categories at last year's UK Festival Awards, Speyfest combines both traditional and contemporary Celtic music. The line up includes some of the biggest names from the Scottish music scene as well as some fantastic young talent, plus international acts from the USA and Finland.

The 'Speyfest in Session' events (26th - 28th July) lead up to the main event - 4 days and nights of seated concerts and standing gigs (28th - 31st July), including the Friday Night Stomp, Saturday Festival Night and the Sunday Survivor's Ceilidh.

In addition to the main event there are also Open Sessions, where you can join in the music making, 'Sing-a-Song' Sessions and Dance Workshops for children and young people, as well as Traditional Music Workshops, featuring members of the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama.

The Programme has all the information you need about Speyfest 2011 and links to book your tickets online. You can also follow @Speyfest on Twitter for the latest updates, or become a fan on Facebook.

If you're planning a longer visit or want a truly authentic experience of Moray and Speyside, why not stay in quality assured self-catering accommodation.

Scottish Highland Games

Have you ever experienced traditional Scottish Highland Games? August is the perfect time to put a 'fling' in your step, with games happening all across the country. Enjoy the unique mix of tradition and entertainment, with highland dancing, piping, competitions and sporting events. The games range in size from small, local events to huge clan gatherings that take place over a few days, but whichever you choose you are sure to see Scottish traditions at their finest.

Highland Games for August:

• Dornoch Highland Games: 5th August


• Aboyne Highland Games: 6th August


• Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games: 6th August


• Inverkeithing Highland Games: 6th August


• North Berwick Highland Games: 6th August


• Brodick Highland Games: 6th August


• Dundonald Highland Games: 6th August


• Newtonmore Highland Games: 6th August


• Strathpeffer Highland Gathering: 6th August


• Bridge of Allan Highland Games: 7th August


• Mallaig & Morar Highland Games: 7th August


• Montrose Highland Games & Heavy Horse Show: 7th August


• Ballater Highland Games: 11th August


• Tain Highland Gathering: 11th August


• Assynt Highland Games: 12th August


• Abernethy Highland Games & Clan Grant Gathering: 13th August


• Atholl & Breadalbane Highland Games: 13th August


• Perth Highland Games: 14th August


• Glenisla Highland Games: 19th August


• Cumnock Highland Weekend: 20th - 21st August


• Helmsdale and District Highland Games: 20th August


• Bute Highland Games: 2oth August


• Crieff Highland Games: 21st August


• Argyllshire Highland Gathering and Oban Games: 25th August


• Cowal Highland Gathering: 25th - 27th August


• Birnam Highland Games: 27th August


• Glenurquhart Highland Gathering and Games: 27th August


• Invergordon Highland Games: 27th August


• Lonach Highland Gathering and Games: 27th August


• Strathardle Highland Gathering: 27th August


• Grantown-on-Spey Highland Games: 28th August


• Hopetoun House Highland Games: 28th August

Highland Games for September:

• Braemar Gathering: 3rd September


• Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games: 4th September


• Pitlochry Highland Games: 10th September


• Peebles Highland Games: 11th September


• Invercharron Highland Games: 17th September

To make your experience even more authentic, and for complete flexibility and freedom, why not stay in local self-catering accommodation near Highland Games.

What do you love most about the Highland Games? Leave your comments below.