2015 is set to be a fantastic year for Scottish food and all those who enjoy it. As announced back in November, this is to be the year of Scottish food and drink, where the great tastes created by Scotland's finest chefs, bakers, cheese makers, chocolatiers, brewers, distillers and more will be celebrated across the country and even further afield. You can be sure to see Fine Scottish Hampers' own take on each of the specific monthly foodie themes and events as they are unannounced, but before then, we want to focus on everything else in the Scottish calendar. This blog post is our very own 2015 guide to Scottish Events, covering annual holidays and events we're most excited for:
24th of January - British Athletics International Match
For the third time in Glasgow's Emirates Arena, world class athletic teams from Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany will gather to fiercely battle it out to win the illustrious Sainsbury's Glasgow International Match Title. After a sell out crowd last year saw astounding displays from the Scot contigents, we can't wait to see a heightened performance at the end of the month.
25th of January - Burns Night/Supper
The annual celebratory tribute to the birth of Scotland's national bard and greatest poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Whilst everyone is bound to have their own personal traditions, secret ingredients and special 'flavours' to mix into their own gastro-literary feast, the recipe for every Burns Night should contain: haggis, whisky and Robert Burns poetry. To give you ample ways of celebrating this most important date in the Scottish Calendar, we've prepared numerous Burns Night & Supper hampers for every specific taste or dieting preference!
27th of January - Up Helly Aa
This collection of festivals in Shetland marks the end of the Yule season with endless Viking costumes, rousing music and, of course, the world's most magnificent flaming torch procession. The Viking Fire Festival in Lerwick is the largest of these events, with people travelling around the world to witness the end of winter and the return of the sun.
18th of February - Glasgow Film Festival
With a packed 2015 programme including pop-up cinema and special events in hugely unique Glasgow venues, this ten day festival of previews, premieres and gala nights will showcase a range of innovative and exciting films from Scotland and the wider world.
30th of April - Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
A celebration of Scotland's national drink, this wide ranging program of highly inventive whisky-themed and inspired events seek to not only celebrate Scotch, but to educate and distil an appreciation for its history and making of.
1st of May - Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival
An annual event in Oban, this celebration of traditional Scottish music discipline, including highland dancing a piping, is now one of the country's major cultural festivals. 2015' is to be the biggest run yet of the fest, with 125 competition classes in eleven disciplines.
9th of May - IRB Rugby Sevens
A new addition to the Olympics, this seven-a-side, seven minute-a-half match is fast, furious and great fun to watch. Glasgow's Scotsoun Stadium will see two days of this exciting new sport - expect to see plenty of supporters in fancy dress costume.
3rd-5th of July - Scottish Traditional Boat Festival
A great day out for all the family, discover the maritime and cultural heritage of the North East with a day that includes sailing, fishing, crafts, theatre and more. The Scottish Traditional Boats Fest takes place at the Salmon Bothy, Portsoy in Aberdeensire.
24th-25th of July - Wickerman Festival
Easily one of the best music festivals in all of Scotland, the Wickerman fest features 10 stages of superb live acts, with plenty of other distractions old and young alike. As the name suggests, the weekend finished with a spectacular 40ft Wickerman being set aflame.
31st of July - World Orienteering Championships
The third time this great event has taken place on British shores (the last time being in 1999), the unique terrain of the Highlands will play host to one of the best displays of long distance running and relay you'll see all year.
7th-29th August - Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August is a busy time for Scotland's capital, particularly because of this world famous military performance. Bagpipe playing and highland dancing are just two of the many talents from musicians and performers one can expect to be broadcast to an audience of more than 100 million for this hallowed Scottish ceremony.
7th of August - Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The world's largest arts festival that bars no performer of any kind, the Fringe is the starting ground of all the world's future best talents. Whilst it's increasingly becoming known for its comedic pool of performances, it also sees hundreds of dance, music and theatre acts in its month long run.
1st of October - Turner Prize 2015
For the first time ever, the Turner Prize - a hallowed award in artistic merit - will be awarded in Scotland to a highly talented British artist. The venue, Tramway in Glasgow, was selected among four other highly esteemed galleries, and will help build the city (and Scotland's) reputation as a centre for excellence in visual arts.
23rd of October - World Gymnastics Championships
The world's greatest gymnastics event is to have Scotland as its host this year. Here we will see 500 of the best gymnasts on earth compete for a world champion title, and to secure their place at the 2016 Rio Olympic games.
31st of December - Hogmanay
While we may only have just celebrated our end of year celebrations, we always immediately look forward to the next! We at Fine Scottish Hampers aim to have even bigger hampers and more wonderful food and drink ready in 12 months time, hopefully celebrating the end of another wonderful year.
For any Fine Scottish Hamper news and celebratory fun, make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook page, Twitter and Google+!
