🌸 Quine’s guide to the best things to do in August across Scotland 🌸
Scotland is brimming with exciting events this August. From outdoor adventures, to cultural festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss…
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Experience a music and art festival like no other
JUPITER RISING, Scotland’s artist-driven art and music festival set in the iconic landscape of Jupiter Artland sculpture park, is back for 2024. Described as a ‘powerful overview of cutting-edge music and performance’, JUPITER RISING invites audiences to explore, discover and celebrate underrepresented artistic voices.
The annual festival brings an innovative programme of live-music, site-responsive performance and talks, with a late night stage showcasing progressive club nights with the best of Scottish and international DJs. This year’s theme, Queer Summer Fete, promises a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere with highlights like:
- Experimental best-in-show contests
- Karaoke with Sgàire Wood
- Tarot readings
- DJ set from Glasgow-based Plantainchipps
- Flowing drinks all night
The event will open with a special Scottish launch of Gemma Rolls-Bentley’s book Queer Art: From Canvas to Club, And The Spaces Between with EAF24 artist Prem Sahib. Later, enjoy Sgàire Wood’s Sgàiraoke and dance the night away at the late-night stage curated by Femmergy. You can also explore Jupiter Artland’s summer exhibitions by Andrew Sim and Laura Aldridge, open until 7:30pm.
WHERE: Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House Steadings, Edinburgh
WHEN: Saturday, 17th August
Visit edinburghartfestival.com.
Join in on the fun at Scotland’s first sing-along piano & cocktail bar
Experience Edinburgh’s first New York-style sing-along piano bar, Downstairs at Betty’s. With no microphones, no spotlights, and no judgement, this bar encourages everyone to sing to their hearts’ content. Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails by renowned bartender Stefan Creran while immersing yourself in a retro mid-century aesthetic. The bar’s design, inspired by whimsical 1950s vibes, creates an inviting and playful environment where guests can feel at home.
WHERE: 15 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh
Visit instagram.com/bettys.edinburgh.
Spruce up your look with free piercings all month at Laura Bond
Edinburgh’s premier piercing destination, Laura Bond Jewellery, is celebrating its first anniversary with an irresistible offer: free piercings all month long. From August 1st to 25th, skip the usual £30 piercing fee and choose from over 100 exquisite 14k gold designs.
Known for her commitment to ethical luxury, founder Laura Bond has adorned celebrities like Florence Pugh and Michelle Visage with her stunning pieces. Located in the stylish New Town, this boutique is the go-to for anyone seeking high-quality, beautifully designed piercings. This is your chance to elevate your ear game with some of the finest jewellery around!
WHERE: Laura Bond Jewellery, 52 Thistle Street, Edinburgh
WHEN: Now – Sunday, 25th August
Visit laurabond.co.uk.
Chill out with the family at Tunes & Blooms Festival at St Andrews Botanic Garden
Join the family-friendly Tunes & Blooms Festival for a day of live music, street food, and nature workshops. Enjoy performances by local musicians like Robyn Smith and savor delicious food from vendors like Methos Greek Street Food.
The festival offers a perfect blend of entertainment and natural beauty, set against the stunning backdrop of the Botanic Garden’s vibrant summer blooms. With activities designed to engage children and adults alike, it’s an ideal outing for families looking to spend quality time together while enjoying music and nature.
WHERE: St Andrews Botanic Garden, Canongate, St Andrews, Fife
WHEN: Saturday, 10th August
Visit standrewsbotanic.org.
Dine out for less with Duck & Waffle’s exclusive Fringe menu and new rooftop bar experience
Make the most of your Fringe experience with a complimentary Minuty cocktail or mocktail when you order the 3-course Fringe Set Menu, priced at just £29.50. Enjoy highlights like Pork Sliders on brioche, Crispy Gunpowder Potatoes with a kick of spices and tomato & chilli jam, Philly Cheesesteak with caramelised onions and cheddar mornay, Truffle & Burrata Ravioli, and a summery Strawberries & Cream dessert served on shortbread.
Plus, don’t miss out on the Fringe Sessions on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of August, where you can enjoy free live music on the Minuty Terrace.
WHERE: Duck & Waffle, 400-402 St James Square, Edinburgh
WHEN: Now until Saturday, 31st August
Visit duckandwaffle.com.
Grab your besties for brunch at Champagne Central
Start your day right with a delicious brunch at Champagne Central, located within the voco® Grand Central Glasgow Hotel. Their new weekend brunch menu, served every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm, is perfect for a day out in Glasgow.
We highly recommend the smashed avocado with soft poached egg, harissa hollandaise sauce on sourdough toast. Other options include ‘Grand’ waffles with vanilla mascarpone, burnt white chocolate, and macerated berries, or savory American-style pancakes topped with fried egg, pulled brisket, and smoked tomato ketchup. For fans of traditional Scottish fare, the full Scottish breakfast includes haggis, black pudding, and square sausage, with plant-based alternatives available for vegetarians and vegans. Don’t miss their eggs benedict with honey roast Ayrshire ham or the refreshing summer smoothie bowl.
While a glass of champagne is a must-have at Champagne Central, the talented bartenders can also whip up an assortment of cocktails to complement any brunch dish, such as a Bellini, Bloody Mary, or Espresso Martini if you’re visiting after 11am.
WHERE: Champagne Central, voco® Grand Central Glasgow Hotel, Glasgow
Visit champagnecentral.co.uk.
Whisky lover? Try out the Johnnie Walker AI-powered whisky bottle personalisation experience
Create a unique whisky bottle design using cutting-edge AI technology and the bold abstractions of Scottish artist Scott Naismith. This one-of-a-kind experience combines world-class Scotch whisky with art and AI for a truly personalised memento. The experience allows guests to answer prompts that influence the AI’s generation of colour, location, artistic style, and even time of day, resulting in a bespoke design that is printed on the bottle in real-time. This innovative blend of technology and tradition offers a memorable and interactive way to engage with Scotland’s whisky heritage.
If you’re planning to linger a bit longer, why not check out one of the shows hosted by Johnnie Walker as part of their Edinburgh Festival Fringe sponsorship? Now in its third year, Johnnie Walker is hosting a series of events featuring local performers in their Label Studio.
Throughout the festival, enjoy shows from a quartet of Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s own Nicola Alexander and Lori Flannigan, and friends, with ‘She Burns’ on the 13th-14th, 16th-17th, and 24th-25th of August. This music and comedy cabaret-style show features renditions of Burns poems interspersed with personal stories, presented through a modern lens.
WHERE: Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh
WHEN: Now – Saturday, 31st August
Visit johnniewalker.com.
Learn something new at Dynamic Earth
Looking for an out-of-this-world experience this August? Dynamic Earth’s ‘Planetarium Lates: You Are Here’ is a must-see event for all aspiring astronomers and stargazers. Taking place from August 6th to August 22nd, this mesmerising show invites you to explore the vastness of our universe in stunning 6K 360-degree detail.
Join expert astronomers as they guide you through the cosmos, shedding light on your place in the universe. No telescopes needed here – the state-of-the-art planetarium brings the stars right above your head. Journey from the comfort of Dynamic Earth to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond. Marvel at lesser-known worlds and get an up-close look at Voyager-1, the furthest spacecraft ever launched, carrying humanity’s message to potential extra-terrestrial life.
This special version of the presenter-led show promises exclusive content and deep scientific insights, making it perfect for curious minds aged 12 and up. Each session lasts 45 minutes, offering an immersive escape into the wonders of space.
Visit tickets.edfringe.com.
Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, or a cocktail enthusiast, there’s brilliant things for everyone to do across Scotland this August. Looking for the newest openings? Check out the newest restaurants, shops, bars and experiences here.
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