Arcadia Scotland

Art and Culture

An Audience with Bannockburn!: Through 19 July, Scottish Storytelling Centre

Immerse yourself in Scottish history with this multi-arts commemoration of the Battle of Bannockburn, with live storytelling, live painting, costumed battles and more! Plus, a Father's Day event that honors Robert the Bruce.

American Impressionism: Beginning 28 July, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two

An exhibition bringing together some 80 paintings that chart the response of American artists to French Impressionism. Works by Monet, Degas and Berthe Morisot provide context and there are popular works by the likes of Whistler, Sargent and Cassatt, but also less well-known paintings by artists such as Theodore Robinson, Childe Hassam, William Merritt Chase, Edmund Tarbell and John Twachtman.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland: Throughout the End of July, Scottish Parliament

Potentially the longest tapestry in the world (beating the Kieskamma tapestry in the South African parliament by a cool 23 meters), the artwork has been worked on by people from all across the country since 2012. It tells the story of Scotland's history from the formation of the land in the prehistoric era to the re-convention of the Scottish Parliament in 1998, in 160 panels and 143 meters of stitching.

In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor Stuart Fashion: Throughout the End of July, The Queen's Gallery

The Tudors and Stuarts were among the best-dressed dynasties in British history, and this exhibition looks at the ways in which fashion conveyed important information about status, using paintings, drawings, miniatures and rare examples of surviving clothing from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting: Throughout the End of July, Scottish National Gallery

In a recreation and expansion of a highly successful exhibition that toured to the USA in 2010–11, the gallery presents two major paintings by Titian in their historical context: Diana and Actaeonand Diana and Callisto. These masterpieces are presented alongside other works by Titian as well as by many of his peers, including Bassano, Tintoretto and Veronese.

The Art of Golf: Beginning 28 July, Scottish National Gallery

A major overview of the role of golf in Scotland's national life, which by a complete coincidence is on view before, during and immediately after the 2014 Ryder Cup tournament in Gleneagles. Many classic images of the game are present, including Charles Lees' The Golfers (1847), and pictures by Rembrandt, Sir Henry Raeburn and John Lavery, among others.

Barnaby Barford: Throughout the End of July, Dovecot Studios

Barnaby Barford makes traditional-looking sculptural figurines in ceramics which, on closer inspection, turn out to be engaged in distinctively modern activities; an apparently conventional Snow White leaning over to kiss Dopey has a title that reflects Dopey's less-than-innocent train of thought, Oh God, oh God, Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day.

The Commonwealth: Gifts to the Queen: Throughout the End of July, Palace of Holyrood House

A new display of some of the gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II during her many voyages around the world.

Craigie Aitchison: Paintings, Etchings and Tapestries: Throughout the End of July, Dovecot Studios

An exhibition – in association with Timothy Taylor Gallery, London – of work from Craigie Aitchison's estate.

Music, Comedy and Dance

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival: 18-27 July, Various Venues and Times

From the Festival's commencement the artistic policy has been to concentrate on musical excellence (rather than the "star system") and to champion spontaneous creativity: music making on the spot in Edinburgh. These virtues have been developed in the 21st Century with the production of a wide range of new music, the establishment of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra, and an on-going commitment to supporting Scottish musicians to realize creative ideas, and to link with international musicians. Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has also grown its world outlook, presenting high quality musicians from all over the world.

Songs of the Great War--People and Propaganda: 18 July, Lauriston Castle, 10.30am

Explore the music of World War One with Wendy Carle Taylor.

30 Years of Blues 'N Trouble: 24 July, The Queen's Hall, 8pm

The iconic Edinburgh blues band celebrates 30 years of rocking the blues. Tim Elliott, leader, singer, harmonica player, fronts the brilliant current band, and welcomes a host of ex BNT members, including former guitar sidekick John Bruce's band, Safehouse. Electric blues, from authentic Chicago style to blues-rock – and a load of great memories for Edinburgh blues fans.

Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete History of Comedy (abridged): 31 July, Pleasance Courtyard, 1.05pm

‘A wild, wild ride! It's funny. Really, really funny… And most of all, it's really, really smart’ (Cincinnati Enquirer). The subject they were born to reduce! Festival favorites return with The Complete History of Comedy (abridged), dissecting humor from Aristophanes to Zaltzman. The bad boys of abridgment deconstruct the entire history of comedy in 75 minutes. ‘It's a show about wit. About quick minds. About what makes us laugh. And what's fair game for laughter. They are exhaustively hilarious. And the scope of their humor knows no bounds’ (Cincinnati Enquirer).

Lectures, Sports and Local Festivals

Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Beginning 30 July, Various Venues and Times

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world and takes place every August for three weeks in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.

Every year thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over Edinburgh to present shows for every taste. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival caters for everyone and includes theater, comedy, dance, physical theater, circus, cabaret, children's shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events.