Here's what you can get up to in Scotland this week...
1 If you are still feeling loved up after Valentine’s Day, pop along to Aberdeen Music Hall this afternoon for Shakespeare’s most famous story of love at first sight, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet redefined romantic music, while Prokofiev brought Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers to the USSR and wrote some of the 20th century’s loveliest melodies. Also on the programme is Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto which will see Elim Chan conducting charismatic young Czech piano star Lukáš Vondrácek.
2 Wrap up well for the first night of the Fort William Mountain Festival on Wednesday, February 20, which for the first time will see a free opening night extravaganza taking place on the high street, and includes a torch-lit descent, music, games and an award-winning fire show. The festival, which runs until next Sunday, February 24, is a celebration of all things adventurous and outdoors, and brings together athletes, speakers, films, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts with the aim of encouraging people to explore the world around them. Films and workshops are included in the programme.
3 Head along to Glasgow Film Festival this week for some great movies. The opening gala night on Wednesday, February 20, is already sold out, but there is a plethora of other fantastic films on until March 3, including seven world premieres, 102 UK premieres and 49 Scottish premieres. Special guests include award-winning Scottish filmmaker Murray Grigor, who will be showing his reworked film about Charles Rennie Mackintosh on Thursday, February 21.
4 There is still time to catch some of the new Hebridean Dark Skies Festival which runs until Thursday, February 21. The ambitious programme of events features stargazing, workshops and talks led by leading scientists, along with film, music, theatre and more – all located on the Isle of Lewis, which has some of the darkest skies in the UK and is one of the best places in the country to see the Aurora Borealis. There’s a Dark Skies talk at Gallan Head on Monday, February 18, with Natalie Marr, a Supermoon Superquiz at Callanish Visitor Centre on Tuesday, February 19, and the closing film is First Man.
5 Meanwhile, on Thursday, February 21, at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Professor Brian Cox will be taking the audience on a journey through space and time. The particle physicist is best known for his popular BBC series Wonders of … and non-fiction titles including Why Does E=mc²? and The Quantum Universe.
6 For a touch of antique glamour, vintage chic and retro cool the Royal Highland Centre is the place to be on Saturday, February 23, as it hosts the Edinburgh Antique Vintage and Collections Fair. This brings together dealers from across the country and beyond, to offer an excellent selection of quality antique, vintage and retro wares. Jewellery, silver, accessories, cloting, furniture, ceramics, glass and more.
7 Join four talented singers and a pianist for Scottish Opera’s ever-popular Opera Highlights tour, this week at Ardrossan Community Hall. The expertly curated selection of music celebrates the best of opera, including extracts from Carmen, La Traviata and Die Fledermaus and works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky. The cast includes young Scottish soprano Lucy Anderson, a Scottish Opera Emerging Artist 2018/19, and Elizabeth Rowe is at the piano. The concert is on Saturday, February 23.
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