1 NO hiding place from Brexit, General Elections, or stuff like the #MeToo movement if you start the week in Tayside and Dundee where the annual NEoN (North East of North) festival is asking itself awkward questions about how artists can best use digital and technology-driven art forms to effect change in the face of current social and political realities. Locations across Dundee. November 4-10. https://northeastofnorth.com/
2 ICYMI, A landmark project at Sir Walter Scott’s former home at Abbotsford in the Borders is still quietly underway to arrange and catalogue the Scott family archive from the hundreds of boxes that contain thousands of sleeping stories from a rich period in Scotland’s history. The archive will shine a light on the public and private lives of the great man’s family. Out of the Box: Secrets from the Archive (included in house admission fee of £11.20) until November 30. https://www.scottsabbotsford.com/whats-on/view/out-of-the-box-secrets-from-the-archive
3 BEFORE Christmas smothers all else as pantomime season approaches, discerning and more mature music lovers can enjoy the story of Motown, the record label that started up on a borrowed $800 and grew to become the most famous and most influential label in the world – launching the careers of legendary artists like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Temptations, and many more. There are over 50 classic hits to blast away the pre-general election blues including My Girl, What’s Going On, Dancing in the Street, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. The music made history and the songs defined the sound of a generation.Motown the Musical, King’s Theatre, Glasgow, until November 16. Tickets from £13.
4 FOR those who like shiny things Elements: A festival of jewellery, silver and gold is now in its fifth year and brings together a bundle of the most significant emerging and established designer-makers for a selling fair, exhibition and series of events under the wing of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths. Lyon & Turnbull auction rooms, Broughton Place, Edinburgh. November 8-10. https://www.elementsfestival.co.uk/elements-festival-makers
5 CHRISTMAS on the horizon and here is a chance to keep excitable kids quiet for a while at least, as the magical tale of Mitzi the Mouse stirring around the house and hoping to join the people singing carols round the big Christmas tree. But the tree is outside and Mitzi has never before left the house. Will she realise her ambition? Well, she’s going to need a little help.Cumbernauld Theatre at 3.45pm from November 5 to December 22. All tickets £6. http://www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk/
6 TAKE a leap of the imagination at Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland, a thought-provoking exhibition that delves deep into the nation’s past and asks how such popular images of Scotland today – dramatic landscapes, heroic history, tartan and bagpipes – came to represent Scotland around the world.National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, Gallery 1, Level 3. 10am to 5pm until November 30. Tickets £10. Book at https://www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events/exhibitions/national-museum-of-scotland/wild-and-majestic/
7 YOU can visit one of these iconic romantic images where royalty and Scottishness combine by taking advantage of the winter guided tours of that Highland staple, Balmoral Castle and grounds. Tours last approximately an hour but then you are free to wander. The ballroom is the only part of the castle open as the rest is the Queen’s private residence.Admission £15. Hourly tours from 11am every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. https://www.balmoralcastle.com/winter.htm
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here