1 Bloody Scotland:

Whatever it is about the Scottish gene, we have long been forerunners in the world of the literary macabre, from James Hogg to Robert Louis Stevenson. And also in the world of crime writing from Arthur Conan Doyle to William McIlvanney, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin. The Bloody Scotland Festival celebrating crime writing continues today virtually with a bunch of grisly goodies for all sleuths. Our pick of the bunch from today is the Desert Island Crooks panel of Chris Brookmyre. Ruth Ware, Harriet Tyce and Liz Nugent where our fab four pick their three favourite crime novels and share their joy of them with us. Katherine Ramsland will also give us an insight into the minds of serial killers and how to catch them. Book through Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk) and check out the Bloody Scotland website https://bloodyscotland.com/bloody-scotland-2020/.

2 Pittoberfest, Pitt Street, Edinburgh:

Bring a touch of Bavaria to Edinburgh with our very own beer festival which continues today. Enjoy street food and sample the best in regional craft beers from the likes of Barney’s Beer, Campervan Brewery, Bellfield Brewery, Pilot, Newbarns Brewery and Edinburgh Beer Factory. Book a table from Pitt Market warehouse for you and your (max) seven pals for 1.5 hours and then head along to Lost In Leith, and Bellfield Brewery (Abbeyhill) where the Oktoberfest fun continues. Check out Bellfield Brewery and Lost In Leith social media or websites for their opening hours/social distancing rules/ bookings. The action is from 12-6pm and entry will cost you £1.50 per head. See https://www.thepitt.co.uk/bookings/ 07534157477.

3 The Cauldron Immersive Cocktail Making Experience, The Cauldron, 57a Frederick Street, Edinburgh:

Now lockdown has had a resurgence many of us are channelling our inner Tom Cruise to come up with some very fancy and colourful concoctions. Choose two potions to brew from a range of molecular cocktails. All week apart from tomorrow and Tuesday. From 1pm-1am on weekends and 5pm-1am weekdays. See https://thecauldron.io/edinburgh.

4 Aberdeen City Walking Tour with Scot Free Tours:

If you’ve got a spare two and a half hours to kill on Saturday (1pm, donations welcome) have a saunter around the Granite City centre. Aberdeen has distinctive and beautiful architecture including the majestic Marischal College to provide your backdrop. All tours start from the Mercat Cross in the Castlegate. Walk-ups are welcome but to guarantee your place, reserve a space on the website. Visit https://www.aberdeenfreetours.com.

5 Quant: An Ongoing Legacy, V&A, Dundee:

Mary Quant as the biggest design influencer of the Swinging Sixties but don’t just take our word for it. Well do, but also the V&A who have enlisted some expert voices to talk all things Mary. April Crichton of studio LA FETICHE and curator Mhairi Maxwell will be exploring her legacy and impact on designers. Wednesday from 12.00-1pm,free. See https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee.

6 Books at the Botanics Book Fair, Glasgow Botanic Gardens:

This has been another staple during lockdown. From Friday-Sunday at the Hopkirk Building with free admission. The market is open from 10-5pm from Friday. Visit http://www.booksatthebotanics.co.uk. Or call (0141) 276 1614.

7 Design & Build, Bridgeton Library, Glasgow:

Now here’s something that’s got good building blocks. Lego MINDSTORMS uses Lego Technics combined with motors and sensors to create all sorts of robots, vehicles and gadgets suitable for children in Primary 5, 6 and 7. Tuesday from 5.30pm-7pm and, yes, it’s free. See https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries/venues/bridgeton-library.