1 Big Burns Supper Festival

Various venues, Dumfries, January 20-29

The Herald:

The world’s biggest celebration of Robert Burns returns to Dumfries tomorrow.

Now in its sixth year, the nine-day festival pays tribute to the Bard with a packed programme of music, theatre and comedy events.

Highlights include a street carnival and performances from Lulu, Nicola Benedetti, Eddi Reader, the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, and the award-winning Le Haggis cabaret.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.bigburnssupper.com.

2 Black Sabbath

The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, January 24

The Herald:

Heavy metal legends Black Sabbath will bring their farewell tour to Glasgow on Tuesday.

Known for their monstrous riffs, the British rock icons will treat fans to a greatest hits set filled with classic metal anthems.

With the tour marking the end of the band’s incredible 50 year career, it’s one show music fans will not want to miss.

Ticket cost £68.10-£107.75. Visit www.thessehydro.com

3 Strathpuffer 24

Strathpeffer, Highlands, January 21-22

Cyclists from across Scotland will be gearing up to take on the world’s ultimate 24 hour mountain bike challenge this weekend.

Now in its twelfth year, the Strathpuffer lets riders battle the elements and 17 hours of darkness as they compete in a variety of trails and races.

Categories for this year's endurance event include single speeds, pairs, quads and, new for 2017, school teams.

Entry costs £65 per person, £80 per school team of eight and £100 per team of 10. Visit www.strathpuffer.co.uk.

4 Burns Unbound

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, January 22

The Herald:

The poetry and works of Rabbie Burns will be showcased at this special event at the National Museum on Sunday.

The Burns day is full of creative activities and performances for the whole family and includes ceilidh dance lessons and live music from Aonach Mor, Jeana Leslie, Adam Brown and Barluath.

There will also be performances of Oor Rabbie by children's theatre creators Andy Cannon and Wendy Weatherby and sessions of Traditional Tunes for Tiny People for any wee ones keen to get started on Burns early.

Entry is free. Visit www.nms.ac.uk.

5 The Glasgow Tattoo

The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, today until January 21

Glasgow will host its first ever Tattoo at the SSE Hydro today.

Featuring over 600 performers, the Tattoo showcases some of the world’s finest musicians, dancers and marching bands.

Highlights include performances from The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, Dunloy Accordion Band, Fascinating Drums and the Innova Irish Dance Troupe.

Tickets cost £39.75-£51.10. Visit www.thessehydro.com.

6 Celtic Connections

Various venues, Glasgow, today until February 5

This annual celebration of Celtic music and culture kicks off in Glasgow today.

The festival is famous for showcasing folk, roots, indie and traditional music from around the world.

This year’s event features over 300 shows, including Laura Marling and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, King Creosote, Martha Wainwright, C Duncan and Orchestra Baobab.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.celticconnections.com.

7 Big Burns Stramash 2017

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, January 21-22

The Herald:

The works of Scotland’s world famous Bard will take centre stage at this fun-filled Burns Night weekend.

The two-day event includes lantern making workshops, the Big Burns Ceilidh and the premiere of the Burns Stramash Up, a collection of short films inspired by Burns’ classic poem ‘My Heart’s in the Highlands’.

A lantern-lit procession along the River Ness will bring the family friendly weekend to a close.

Ticket prices vary. Visit www.eden-court.co.uk.

8 Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Nicola Benedetti plays Beethoven violin concerto

Usher Hall, Edinburgh, City Halls, Glasgow, and Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, today, January 20 and January 21

The Herald:

Nicola Benedetti will bring Beethoven’s Violin Concerto to life in a series of special shows across Scotland this weekend.

Joseph Swensen will conduct Benedetti as she takes on this ‘tender, sensitive and intimate’ masterpiece with the help of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

The show will also includes performances of the Leonore Overture and Symphony No. 4.

Ticket prices vary. Visit https://www.sco.org.uk.

9 Planetarium Shows

Mills Observatory, Dundee, January 20

Budding Patrick Moores will get the chance to learn more about our solar system during this out-of-this-world show in Dundee tomorrow.

Visitors will be taken on a tour of the night sky by the observatory.

Those wishing to delve a little deeper will also be able to learn more about constellations, asteroids and galaxies during the event.

Entry is 50p. Visit http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/mills-home

10 Canals by numbers: the history of the Union Canal

Water of Leith Visitors Centre, Edinburgh, January 23

If you've ever fancied learn more about the history of Edinburgh's Union Canal then this could be the event for you.

Set in the canal’s stunning surroundings,, the talk explores the social and industrial history of the waterway, which opened in 1822.

The talk is presented by Alan Forrester from the Scottish Waterways Trust and hosted by Water of Leith Conservation Trust.

Tickets cost £2. Entry is free for Scottish Waterway Trust and Water of Leith Conservation Trust members. Visit www.waterofleith.org.uk.