Checklist: This week's best events around Scotland

One of the great pairings in the culinary playbook, there are few things in life more satisfying than a beer and curry.

Being well aware of this, the visitor centre of Scottish brewing giants Tennent's has teamed up with Babu Bombay Street Kitchen to bring the double act together with a twist.

Kicking off with a tour of the brewery itself, you'll be guided through Bombay-inspired street food complimented with selected Tennent's drinks and other sample beers to achieve the perfect food and drink combination.

It's something of an exclusive experience too, with a few brews such as Tennent's Whiskey Oak and Scotch Ale on offer that aren't available elsewhere.

Tickets cost £36, visit www.tennentstrainingacademy.co.uk.

2. St Andrews Highland Games

Station Park, St Andrews, Sunday, July 31

If you're feeling the need for some caber capering, take a gander at the St Andrews Highland Games.

One of the newer additions to Scotland's Games landscape, Sunday's event may only be the 32nd time they've been held, but there's loads to see and do.

With cycling, running, heavy weights and tug-of-war joining the national mainstays of solo piping and Highland dancing, both the best of Fife's physical prowess and national culture will be on display.

Tickets are £7 for adults, £4 concessions and car parking is free, visit www.standrewshighlandgames.co.uk.

3. Resonate: Total Gaming

SECC, Glasgow, Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31

Proving the world of video games has come a long way from its origins as a principally solitary pursuit, this new three-day festival – the first of its kind in Scotland - is a celebration of the medium.

Featuring everything from a professional eSports tournament to a dedicated area for children, Resonate is out to cater for tryhards and n00bs alike.

Gaming teams Gfinity, Versus Scotland and Xtreme Gaming are due to attend, as are YouTube giants Yogscast and Hat Films, who will be hostings signings and live Q&As.

There'll also be a Bring Your Own Computer LAN party area, a competition for students to program a brand new game in just 48 hours and an indie specialist showcase.

Tickets cost £15, visit resonatetotalgaming.com.

4. Kid Canaveral

Summerhall, Edinburgh, Saturday – once named The Herald's new favourite Scottish band – are playing the capital's creative hub to launch their record Faulty Inner Dialogue.

The band – consisting of David MacGregor (guitars and voice), Kate Lazda (guitars and voice), Rose McConnachie (bass and voice) and Scott McMaster (drums) - are returning with their follow up to the Scottish Album of the Year Award-nominated Now That You Are A Dancer.

Formed in 2007, they already have two critically-acclaimed records, a plethora of singles and EPs, as well as tours taking in both America and Europe under their belt.

Tickets cost £10, visit www.kidcanaveral.co.uk.

5. Edinburgh Food Festival

George Square Gardens, Edinburgh, from today [Thursday] to Sunday, July 31

If there's one thing you can say about Scots it's that we enjoy our food. Showcasing the best in Scottish produce, the food festival is sure to do more than just whet the appetite for the fast-approaching Fringe.

With a variety of headline shows taking place over the five days, including Ready Steady Cook with Tom Lewis and Guy Grieve, the Speakeasy Spiegeltent Swing Dance, pop-up restaurant Section33, and Gorgie Farm's From Food to Fork, it's shaping up to be a can't-miss event for foodies.

Prices vary, visit www.edfoodfest.com.

6. La Boheme, presented by Clyde Opera Group

Renfield St Stephen's Church, Glasgow, Saturday, July 30 to Sunday, July 31

For their debut production the newly-formed Clyde Opera Group and their international cast are tackling arguably one of the most popular operas.

Puccini's celebrated work follows the lives of a group of young artists living in poverty and disease in Paris' early 19th century Latin Quarter.

A tale of love and loss, the work has remained popular down the years, proving the inspiration for global musical phenomenon Rent, which swapped Paris in the 1840s for the New York of 1990, and consumption for HIV/AIDS.

Tickets cost £15, or £13 for concessions, visit www.clydeoperagroup.com.

7. Glasgow Girls

Beacon Arts Centre, Inverclyde, Friday, July 29 to Saturday, July 30

Coming to Greenock as part of its Scottish tour, Cora Bissett and David Greig's inspirational drama follows the true story of seven teenagers as they fight for the rights of their school friend, her asylum-seeking family and, ultimately, the rights of asylum-seekers everywhere.

Described as the most politically engaged and enraged British musical since Blood Brothers, the song-filled show has been critically-acclaimed, winning Off West End best New Musical Award in 2013 when it played Theatre Royal Straford East in London.

Tickets cost £10, visit www.corabissett.co.uk/glasgow-girls.

8. Zippos Circus: Celebration

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, Monday, August 1 to Wednesday, August 3 (times vary)

The big top means big entertainment, as one of Britain's biggest touring circuses comes to the bonny banks.

Now in its third decade, the Zippos team have been doing more than just clown around, having introudced a new line-up for the 2016 season.

On the animal front there's a talented family of pet cats providing comedy and cuteness, while equestrian excellence is on hand with talented horses.

Representing the human contingent are trapeze artists, knife throwers, tumblers, foot jugglers and, as ever, veteran performer Norman Barrett MBE and his performing budgerigars.

Tickets cost £7.50, visit zippos.co.uk.

9. Fashioning A Reign: 90 years of style from the Queen's Wardrobe

Palace of Holyroodhouse, from today [Thursday] to Sunday, July 31

There are many ways one could chart the long reign of the Queen, via wars, prime ministers, or legislation passed. But in an unprecedented collection of the monarch's dress, jewellery and accessories, from childhood to the present day, this exhibition documents the monarch's reign via her wardrobe.

The display includes evening and day wear by the British couturiers Sir Norman Hartnell, Ian Thomas and Stewart Parvin, who trained at Edinburgh College of Art, and the milliner Philip Somerville.

This exhibition is included with entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

10. Edinburgh Blues 'n' Rock festival

Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Saturday, July 30

A night that promises to showcase of some of the best national and international blues and rock bands around. Featuring eight highly acclaimed acts, gig organisers say they hope to cement the capital's place as one of the premier locations for the genre.

The line-up consists of; Dr Feelgood, Jo Harmen Band, Bernie Marsden Band, The Rising Souls, Safehouse, The Al Brown Band, Neil Warden & Gary Martin, Davey Sloan & The Rattlers.

There will also be a separate DJ room for those who prefer to dance the night away.

Tickets cost £20 to £25, visit www.edinburghcornexchange.com.

Don't Miss: Summer at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, from today [Thursday] to Sunday, July 31

To celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, there's a right royal range of family-friendly activities on the go at the palace.

Visitors can get an in-depth look at some of the more exotic items from the Royal Collection that adorn the monarch's official homes, Holyroodhouse, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

And while you may still be waiting for that invitation to the Queen's annual garden party, you can learn how the palace hosts the 8000 who are on the list.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £11 concessions, £7.20 for children and £31.20 for a family ticket, events vary by day, visit www.royalcollection.org.uk for more information.