1. Are you a bit of a Boaty McBoatface? The Clydebuilt Festival is on today at Glasgow’s Transport Museum. You can test your skills on the water in canoes, try your hand at traditional skills or listen to folk playing fiddles with a pint in your hand. Or why not jump on one of the tour boats on the Clyde or stroll through the market looking at all the products hand-made in Glasgow? There will be boat launches and rowing races, steam bending and story telling, sea shanties and cocktails. It’ll be bright, colourful and surprising. And very boaty.
2. All eyes are on Dundee this week with the opening of the V&A. If you’re heading to the city, why not make a weekend of it? Catch Sarah Millican at the Caird Hall, a brilliantly funny comedian. A favourite place for a snifter is Dundee’s secret bar, Draffens... smoky, dark, sexy and difficult to find (down an alley between 36 & 38 Nethergate, open the door that looks like you’re going into a kitchen). It feels like a step back in time to prohibition-era America.
3. Are you a bit of a game geek? Monopoly Mad? Cluedo Crazy? If so head down to the cultural heritage village of New Lanark, which is currently hosting a guest exhibition from the V&A. With a collection of the most iconic, enthralling and visually striking games from the V&A’s outstanding national collection of board games, visitors can enjoy hands-on interactive play featuring games from around the world, exploring the important role of design. And there’s an on-site cafe and visitor centre.
4. On Monday and Wednesday Edinburgh Castle is delving into the secrets of the Jacobite Women. Exploring the history of the 1715 and the 1745 risings, the clans, the wars, the families divided. Special tours included in the normal entry price.
5. If late-night clubbing is more your thing, you are in for a treat this Thursday. Rebel MC himself ... King of Jungle, Congo Natty, the man who fused hardcore techno and reggae and the best of dub beats appears at La Belle Angele. 10pm-late for only a tenner. (over 18s)
6. A feminist treat: celebrating 100 years of the work of Scottish film-maker and poet Margaret Tait (right), expert on Tait’s work Sarah Neely will showcase an evening of film, poetry, music and more at Glasgow Womens’ Library. Tickets available from the venue.
7. This weekend sees another National Open Doors event in Glasgow, Aberdeenshire and Perth, wen the general public can nosy around buildings normally closed to the public. Have a good old poke around the Briggaitt or the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall in Glasgow, behind the scenes at the GFT or Glasgow Airport. head north to HMP Castle Huntly or Braemar Castle (below-right). All free entry. Details at doorsopendays.org.uk
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