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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Budget-friendly events and days out that are perfect for families across Scotland this summer
Read on for the ultimate Summer Activity List GOOD TIMES Budget-friendly events and days out that are perfect for families across Scotland this summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH the summer holidays now underway, thousands of Scots will be looking for fun ideas for days out with the family. Now that schools have finished up for summer until mid-August, parents from across the country will be trying to find different ways to entertain children. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Pipping Live! is coming to Glasgow next month Credit: Alamy 10 The Strathaven Balloon Festival will return next month Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow 10 The Fringe by the Sea festival in North Berwick will run until August 10 Credit: Alamy But, of course, that also costs money at a time when most of us are already feeling the strain on our budgets. Luckily, there are dozens of exciting events and activities that are perfect for families whilst also being easy on the purse. Experts at VisitScotland have compiled the ultimate Summer Activity List, which is a guide full of fun events happening in Scotland on a budget. And it has something for everyone, with everything from incredible one-off occasions to entertaining events on for days and weeks. Crail Festival - Fife From July 16 until July 26, families can enjoy a day out at the Crail Festival. This is a beloved community-run celebration of arts, music, and culture set in the historic fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. And visitors can enjoy performances and exhibitions, or take part in imaginative outdoor competitions such as rock stacking or sandcastle sculpting that encourage creativity and friendly competition. But the best part about it is that there are free events throughout the ten-day festival that anyone can attend. There are also a variety of ticketing options to suit different needs and budgets. However, it is advised to plan ahead as the event can get busy. TRNSMT-mad bride travels 250 miles for epic festival hen do in sizzling 30C heat Glasgow Pride March This event has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Over 50,000 people took part in 2023 and 2024, and even more are expected to take part again this year on July 19. The march is a vibrant display of love, diversity, and inclusion - plus, it's free for anyone to attend. But this doesn't mean that it will be boring for those who participate. Everyone involved is expected to enjoy parades, performances, and community spirit. 10 Thousands of people are expected to take part in the Glasgow Pride March this month Credit: Getty Piping Live! - Glasgow Next month, Scotland's biggest week of bagpipes this summer is set to come to Glasgow. Piping Live! and World Pipe Band Championships is expected to draw thousands of people to the city from August 11 until August 17. The Glasgow Piping Festival is an annual week-long celebration of bagpipes and Scotland's iconic piping culture. The festival features a wide range of events, including concerts, recitals, workshops, and competitions. Tickets for the event start from just £10 (or £9 for concessions), per day. However, those under 16 will be able to join for free. While in Glasgow… IF you're looking for something else to do in Glasgow then you can head to Pollok Country Park. This is the city's largest green space, with the chance to even spot a Highland cow. You can explore its woodlands, gardens, and wildlife or visit the Burrell Collection. This is a world-class art museum featuring treasures from medieval Europe, Chinese antiquities, and works by famous painters. The Tall Ships Races - Aberdeen Europe's largest free family festival is set to descend on Aberdeen in days. The Tall Ships Races event will see almost 50 ships from around the world during this epic four-day maritime festival. And it is expected to attract 400,000 visitors while it's here from July 19 until July 22. Attendees can expect days packed with live music, cultural showcases, and hands-on activities for all ages. 10 The Tall Ships Races will arrive in Aberdeen this weekend Credit: HANDOUT Festival of the Sea - Aberdeen Another event happening in Aberdeen this month is the Festival of the Sea. This one is already underway after kicking off on July 12 and will run for just over two weeks until July 27. With the Tall Ships on the horizon, many firms are following suit with maritime-themed events for visitors to the city. This includes several events from art, heritage, sport and leisure organisations across the city. Prices vary for each event, and those interested can visit the website for the full details. Women's Scottish Open - Troon, Ayrshire Fans of golf will be looking forward to this event, and where would be better to have it than the West Coast? The 2025 ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open will be held at Dundonald Links in Troon for the fourth consecutive year. Dundonald Links is a course designed by golfers for golfers, with sweeping vistas of the Ayrshire coast, wide fairways, undulating greens and situated among five-star luxurious facilities. The event is taking place in Troon from July 24 until July 27. And while tickets for daily general admission start from just £15, anyone under 16 can attend for free. 10 The 2025 ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open will be held in Troon Credit: Getty Fringe by the Sea - North Berwick Families can enjoy music, comedy, literature, and family fun in this coastal town during Fringe by the Sea. From August 1 until August 10, the event will be held at The Lodge Grounds and other venues, including the Scottish Seabird Centre and North Berwick Library. Described as an arts festival, it offers a wide range of free and affordable events. But a new event at the festival this year is the Wavelength Music Film Festival, which celebrates the connection between music and film. Kids for a Quid THIS summer, families can get out and about across Scotland via Scotrail train for less. Kids for a Quid tickets are available with most adult tickets, including Advance Singles, Season Tickets, Flexipass, and most concession tickets. There are also deals available online for free entry for children at various visitor attractions across Scotland, too. This is available every day, all year round. See the ScotRail website for more information. The Largs Viking Festival This exciting event is taking place at the end of summer from August 30 until September 7. It commemorates the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and the Norse. The week-long celebration includes a reconstructed Viking village, live entertainment, workshops, markets, and a grand parade. And there is even the dramatic Festival of Fire, which features a Viking skirmish, longboat burning, and fireworks. Adult tickets cost £10 while a child's ticket costs £5. But the event is free for anyone under the age of five to attend. 10 Vikings torchlight parade march in Largs Credit: Alamy Strathaven Balloon Festival Scotland's only hot air balloon festival is returning next month. It is set to take place at the award-winning Strathaven Park from August 22 until August 24 for free. Visitors can expect dramatic hot air balloon launches (weather permitting) in the mornings and evenings. There will also be live music, a funfair, market stalls, and a skydiving display. And on the Saturday evening, there will be the spectacular Evening Glow. 10 Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival is a free event Credit: Alamy Orkney Food Festival This is another event that is happening towards the end of summer in September. Families can discover the taste of Orkney at the Orkney Food Festival 2025 from September 21 until September 25. Perfect for families, this fun-filled celebration features local produce, hands-on kids' activities, cooking demos, and delicious treats for all ages. Visitors can enjoy a warm island welcome, explore food trails, and make tasty memories together in a stunning coastal setting. This event is free for everyone to attend. 10 The Orkney Food Festival will return in September Credit: Getty Scone Palace, Kids Go Free - Perthshire Scone Palace is an unforgettable and affordable day out for families across Scotland. It is set in the heart of Perthshire, just over an hour drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. From ancient kings to mazes, Scone Palace is bursting with history, nature, and fun for children of all ages. And it is offering free entry for anyone aged 15 and under while it runs until August 15. Adult tickets cost £19.50, while concessions and tickets for those over 65 cost £18.50.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Town branded ‘worst in Scotland' set for major £3million revamp
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOWN branded the "worst in Scotland" is set for a major £3million revamp. Cumbernauld, near Glasgow, was hailed as a vision of the future when it was built in the years after the second world war. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Cumbernauld was voted "most dismal" town centre in 2001 and 2005 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 2 The town is to undergo a five-year wildlife restoration Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing But it has repeatedly been handed the title of Scotland's worst eyesore due to its "spirit-sapping" brutalist architecture. It was voted "most dismal" town centre in the 2001 and 2005 Carbuncle awards, which were scrapped in 2017. Now the town is to undergo a five-year wildlife restoration which will see thousands of trees planted and tens of thousands of wildflowers sown. Planned works include managing over 330 hectares of woodland, enhancing over 20 hectares of wildflower meadows and removing invasive non-native species and garden escapees that threaten Cumbernauld's native wildlife. Read more money SHOP JOY Major fashion & homeware retailer set to arrive in Scots town near Glasgow The National Lottery Heritage Fund has now confirmed £2.6million support for the project. The initiative will create six full-time jobs and a further six trainee opportunities over the life of the project. Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of our Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: "This is an exciting project for Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire, and we are delighted the National Lottery Heritage Funding will enable us to build on the excellent work done through the Cumbernauld Living Landscapes Partnership. "Some of the work we'll be carrying out with our partners involves planting 2,000 new trees, improving access at Westfield & Cumbernauld Community Park, enhancing grasslands and managing woodland at Abronhill and Palacerigg Country Park. "As a result, we'll see improvements to local biodiversity, habitats for wildlife and sustainable development of woodland." Some residents of Cumbernauld say it's a wonderful place to live and a magnet for fans of hit TV series Outlander. Our posh village is now ghost town strewn with empty homes Criticism has often been directed at the Centre Cumbernauld, the commercial hub of the town, which was built in the Sixties and housed shops, apartments, a hotel, an ice rink and a police station. As well as helping the town be a double winner of the Carbuncle, it was voted 'Britain's most hated building' in 2005. But some locals say the criticism is unfair. SNP councillor Adam Smith said: "We've got Wardpark Studios where Outlander's been filmed. And people come from across the world because of Gregory's Girl.' SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn added: "As someone who not only represents the town but who lives there I can say I am incredibly proud of Cumbernauld. Of course we have issues to deal with, but what town of 50,000 people doesn't? 'The albatross around our neck is the town centre. Everyone knows it is outdated and has been run down over the years but finally there are plans to replace it with something new. 'But Cumbernauld is much more than its town centre. With amazing greenspaces, superb community organisations and great people it is a wonderful place to live.'
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Teen wanted to carry out mass murder of Muslims at Scots mosque after being radicalised by right-wing videos on TikTok
The boy hoodwinked the Imam into believing that he wanted to become a Muslim MOSQUE 'PLOT' Teen wanted to carry out mass murder of Muslims at Scots mosque after being radicalised by right-wing videos on TikTok A TEENAGER wanted to carry out a mass murder of Muslims at a mosque, a court has heard. The 17-year-old boy idolised right-wing killers such as Anders Brevik who slaughtered 77 people in Norway in 2011. 2 An exterior shot of the Inverclyde Muslim Centre, Laird Street, Greenock Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow The boy spoke online about how white people were at "war" and that he would "die for my land." Police intelligence led to officers finding the boy who was armed with weapons outside the Inverclyde Muslim Centre. This included an airgun which he claimed would keep worshippers inside once he had set the building on fire. The boy was able to plan his attack after he hoodwinked the centre's Imam into believing that he wanted to become a Muslim. He was trusted at times to be left alone in the building which allowed him to make sketches and videos of the layout. The boy also went as far as to join in with prayers in a bid to convince others of his lies. The boy appeared today/yesterday in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow. He pleaded guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act and possession of documents likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. The crimes spanned between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025. The court heard how the boy - who suffers from autism - had become "radicalised" since the age of 13 by social media channels such as TikTok. He believed that white people were in a "war" against other races such as Jews and he "developed sympathies" with the Nazi party. The boy created his own "manifesto" on his mobile phone in which he said he would "die for my land." He listed a number of "inspirations" which included Brevik, Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Irish fascist leader Eion O'Duffy. The boy also created a list of dislikes which included Keir Starmer, the Prophet Mohammed and Jihadi John. 2 Two police vehicles were outside the mosque to arrest the suspect The boy initially had plans to carry out a terrorist attack at his school in Inverclyde. He recorded himself walking through the school in which he stated he planned to "liquidate" one of the offices. The boy also claimed that he would plant bombs under the tables of the school canteen. He said: "That'll be funny, watch some reactions, that'll be hilarious." The boy planned to attack the Inverclyde Muslim Centre in December 2024. Prosecutor Greg Farrell said: "This involved the use of aerosols and lighters to set fire to the premises." The boy spoke to the centre's Imam online and was later provided with reading materials. Mr Farrell added: "The boy went as far as to take part in prayer with the congregation of the Islamic Centre. "He was trusted to be left alone in the centre and he took several videos wandering the corridors of the building. "In one video, he enters a room and his own hand enters the shot, shaped like a gun." The boy then began searching images of the centre online as well as weapons and combat clothing. He went on to speak to an acquaintance on chatting application Telegram. The boy said: "It's good to infiltrate the target be it a mosque or synagogue as they think I'm one of them because I infiltrated the place." He claimed that he could have burned down the centre when left alone but there would have been "zero kills." Mr Farrell said: "He told the user he would use a deodorant can and a lighter to start a fire and he had a BB gun that people would believe was a real firearm. "He also said he would use it to prevent them leaving the building." The boy also asked the acquaintance to live stream the burning down of the mosque which would be shared with his manifesto. He meantime tried to get a rifle licence but was unable to as his local club was closed at the time. The boy prepared a "final" manifesto in which he stated he would attack "tomorrow" when "the mosque will be at its fullest." On the morning of the planned attack, the boy left his home with a rucksack which concerned his mother. He messaged friends, stating: "Today, I choose what my life was and will be." The boy appeared at the Islamic Centre but was unable to enter as the door was locked. Earlier that morning, the police had received intelligence regarding the boy and waited on him at the Islamic Centre. He was found by officers to be dressed in black clothing and he carried a camouflage military rucksack. When asked what was in the bag, the boy replied: "Guns, I'll tell you what's in the bag so you don't get hurt. I don't want to hurt you." A German manufactured air pistol - capable of firing BBs - was recovered as well as a magazine which was suitable for the gun. He was also snared with ball bearings, gas cartridges, four cans of aerosol spray and his mobile phone. The boy was further found to have notepads which contained sketches and right wing symbols such as swastikas. A search of his home recovered a copy of Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a copy of the Quran, knives, airsoft weapons and ingredients for explosive substances. A book, named 'The Anarchist Cookbook' was also found which was an instruction manual on how to produce weapons and explosives. Tony Lenehan KC, defending, told the court: "He was a 16-year-old isolated vulnerable young man who had a wholesale world view of what was on the internet rather than personal experience." Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Arthurson. The boy will remain remanded in a secure unit meantime.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Emergency crews rush to Scots river after ‘person falls in water'
Locals watched as the coastguard worked with cops at the scene well into the evening RIVER DRAMA Emergency crews rush to Scots river after 'person falls in water' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCORES of emergency services raced to a Scottish river after a person is believed to have fallen into the water and got into difficulty. Police, ambulance and coastguard crews were scrambled to the River Leven in Dunbartonshire yesterday afternoon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Crews raced to the River Leven yesterday Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow The alarm was raised at around 4.15pm after officers received reports of a person in the water. It is believed that the person was seen in the river near the Place of Bonhill in Renton, Dumbarton. Locals watched as the coastguard worked with cops at the scene well into the evening. Helicopter crews circled the area in the sky as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the river. Ambulance teams were also spotted in the area. The outcome of the incident is currently unclear. However, the HM Coastguard confirmed this morning that crews were working to locate a person in the water. A spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard assisted Police Scotland with reports of an individual in the water near the River Leven yesterday, 2 July, at around 4:15pm. "A Coastguard helicopter was tasked. For further information, please speak to the Police". Last night, a Police Scotland spokesperson told Dumbarton Reporter: "Around 4pm on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, we received a report of concern for a person potentially in the water near Place of Bonhill in Renton. COPS launch probe into man's mystery death at high rise flats in Royston, Glasgow "Emergency services are at the scene." Locals flocked to social media as "loads" of emergency services swarmed the area yesterday evening. One person said they could hear "lots of sirens" blaring near the river close to 5pm. While another said they counted a total of 15 emergency units speeding through the Renton area to get to the scene. A third chimed in: "Loads of different types of search and rescue down at St Martins (St Martins of Tours Catholic Church on Main Street, Renton)." Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Glasgow nightclub to be completely transformed after council approves plans
Read on to discover what will be inside the former disco DISCO CHANGE Iconic Glasgow nightclub to be completely transformed after council approves plans PLANS to transform an iconic Glasgow venue into student accommodation have been approved. The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street has lain empty for seven years after it was damaged by the fire at the Glasgow School of Art. Advertisement 4 Glasgow's O2 ABC was ripped apart by a demolition crews Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing 4 The Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh building was destroyed by fire Credit: PA 4 Plans were revealed to transform a Glasgow venue into student accommodation Credit: PR Handout The legendary music venue was unable to open its doors after it was ruined by the devastating blaze in June 2018. Flames from the art school spread to the ABC and tore through the building, as well as Jumping Jaks, the pub next door. And the O2 ABC has been derelict and lying abandoned ever since, with locals frequently branding the site an "eyesore". But now a huge transformation has been approved and is scheduled for completion in summer 2028. Advertisement James Rooke, Planning Director, Vita Group said: 'Over the past two years, we've worked closely with Glasgow City Council and other key stakeholders on a scheme that will become a landmark destination for Glasgow. "We are delighted with the news today and are as eager as everyone to get started on site and help towards the regeneration of this part of Sauchiehall Street. 'Our aim has always been to regenerate this anchor site by bringing forward exciting plans which celebrate the city's best independent food and minds. "The beautifully designed destination food hall will breathe new life into this iconic location creating a place for the people of Glasgow to come and enjoy together whilst revitalising Sauchiehall Street. Advertisement "Meanwhile the student accommodation above will play a pivotal role in reducing the number of students finding their way into Glasgow's private rented accommodation in their second and third years.' The development will feature a ground floor food hall providing space for five emerging food brands as well as a large bar. Secret Gig: Fans React to Screwfish Mystery Show in Glasgow Moving from day into night the food hall will become an events space featuring music, entertainment and a community hub. The student accommodation will offer 356 bed spaces comprising 306, four, five and six bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge, and 50 studio spaces. Advertisement It will also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges and cycle storage. Elsewhere the Glasgow School of Art has reportedly raised concerns over the rebuild of the O2 ABC.
