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Fall seems a long way away now that we are just starting to enjoy the spring and upcoming summer. However planning things ahead is a good idea, diaries fill up really quickly once the children go back to school. There are so many things to do, booking days in advance allows us to make sure we don't miss anything.

The Whisky Live Glasgow sets us off on a great start. The event heads back to its roots with its focus on education, education, education. With even more masterclasses than before, a whisky VIP room, the whisky antiques roadshow and the whisky collectors’ corner, Whisky Live Glasgow provides the very heart of whisky excellence. Celebrate Scotland and the best whiskies in the world! It takes place at the Thistle Ballroom. Glasgow on September 11^th.

The Glasgow International Highland Cattle Show is another celebration of Scottish traditions. The largest UK event of its kind, it is the opportunities for children and adults to discover the Highland Cattle from Scotland and overseas. Experience a fascinating glimpse of rural life, how breeders prepare animals for exhibition in the ring, children's entertainment and food market. It takes place at the Pollok Country Park on Saturday, October 2^nd (10am-4pm). Unless the weather is incredibly dry, wellies are a good idea!

Dr Who Afficionados will not want to miss Dr Who Live. Although the actors from the TV series will not be appearing live on stage, the show still promises plenty of excitement with specially filmed new video scenes. Opening in wartime London and concluding in an epic onstage battle, the the Daleks are joined by some of the best-loved and most terrifying monsters from the TV series including the Cybermen, Weeping Angels, Judoon and Oods to name but a few. (SECC October 14th-17th).

If you thought that the fall was a long way away, then imagine thinking about Christmas! However tickets for the Singing Kettle shows always sell out fast so if your children are big fans, don't leave it until the last minute. This year, Cilla, Artie, Gary and Kevin join Santa at his Fun Factory to prepare for his deliveries on Christmas Eve! The excited Singing Kettle team are left in charge of the “Toy Making Machine” and need the help of the audience to get all the presents onto the sleigh in time. (December 9^th-12^th, 2010, Braehead) Bring your Santa hats!

Photo credits: Anne Dhir

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Uncertainties over volcano clouds, unpredictable airline strikes and fluctuating currency rates make staying in Scotland very appealing this summer. Our beautiful country has so much to offer, why not just take the opportunity to (re-) discover it?

Not even an hour away (and 25 minutes by train), Falkirk is the perfect destination for a day trip, a weekend stay or a longer holiday.

The Falkirk Wheel is a striking landmark and an incredible piece of engineering. Built in 2002, and the first and only 'boatlift', it connects the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal, 115 feet below. You can take a boat ride or observe it from the Visitor Centre or the bank of the canal.

If history tickles your interest, you will have plenty to do in Falkirk. The area counts several sites with well-preserved parts of the Antonine Wall – a 37-mile wall built to protect the Roman Empire. For more recent history (well, 600 year-old 'recent' history), head out to Callendar House, built in the style of a French chateau. Visiting Callendar House is like travelling back through time with connections to Mary Queen of Scots, and Cromwell... Costumed interpreters bring history back to life. When the visit is over, take a stroll through the park and the surrounding woodlands. Children will enjoy playing in the park's playground too. (FK1 1YR)

The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway is another destination which children and grown-ups alike enjoy. Step back in time with this 10-mile steam railway trip. You can also stop at Birkhill Clay Mine for a tour of the underground mine.

While you are in the area, you can visit the Bo'ness Motor Museum, a privately-owned collection of over twenty cars from a Baby Austin A30 to a Grand Tourer Aston Martin.

A bit further afield past Linlithgow, the Muiravonside Country Park offers 170 acres of woodland, park and nature trails. The young visitors can discover a farm with ponies, pigs, goats, ducks and chickens. If you are looking for a more active day, then the Avon Gorge Trail is for you. 9 miles of breathtaking countryside passing through the Muiravonside Country Park.

Finally if the weather doesn't lend itself to more outdoor exploring, how about going skiing at Polmonthill Ski Centre? Or karting in the Indoor Xtreme karting in Larbert? Have fun in the wave pools and chutes of the Mariner Leisure Centre?

If the hassle of travelling abroad doesn't appeal this year, don't worry, there is still plenty to do right here in Scotland.

Photo credits: http://www.stirlingshirebandb.co.uk/

More information: Falkirk Visitor Information

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Earlier in the spring, we started a series of articles on learning something new in Glasgow. From family relationships to singing, dancing, speaking foreign languages, there was so much to choose from.

And wait until you see what the Strathclyde University has on offer this summer!

You might have spotted their understated flyer with a bright red grapefruit and a list of attractive courses at the back. There are actually 60 pages of courses, workshops, and seminars. Some workshops are just a few hours long, others are full-days or spread over six weeks.

The 'Give it Go' series of events invites you to try new things: drawing, abstract art, watercolours, singing, song writing, creative writing and even speaking French, Italian, German and Spanish!

The Summer Programme also invites children to learn alongside their parents and their grandparents. The purpose is for different generations to learn together in a fun and encouraging environment. A family portrait day, a City Safari, and a workshop to learn to grow plants and seeds in everyday packaging are all great childhood memories in the making.

There are several IT and computer courses on website design, social networking, using google, or an MP3 player. The courses are open to all and don't require any previous knowledge.

Art, drawing, painting and writing form a big part of the programme, with something to suit everyone. If you are interested in genealogy and ancestry, you will find lots to learn.

Remember our series of articles about all things Glasgow a few weeks ago? The Summer Programme would fit right in with workshops about Hidden Art in Glasgow, the Glasgow Four, the Glasgow School of Art, and a History of Scottish Architecture.

We know what we'll be queuing for: the Wine Appreciation seminars. How to choose wine to accompany various foods? What are the main grape varieties? How to taste wine? Learning about Italian and Spanish wines. Wednesdays will definitely be fun this summer!

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Not long to go before the summer holidays! If you are around this summer, there are lots of things do with the children over the summer. And many of the activities are free. Here is just a start, we'd love to hear what you'll be up to.

Kick off the holidays with some quality family time at the GMRC which hosts a creative family workshop inspired by the collections 1.00-2.30pm. There is a family tour at 2.30pm, which you will need to book in advance (GMRC (200 Woodhead Road G53 7NN)

Dig This! is an archaeology fun day at the Hunterian Museum with free activities for all the family: learn how to carve stone like a Pict, discover how to drill wood and stone with a bow drill, have a go at making flour and spinning wool, or be an archaeologist and investigate evidence that the Vikings left behind. Admission is FREE and there is no need to book. (University Avenue, G12 8QQ). The Huntarian Museum also has a wide range of activities for the children.

Did you know that the Glasgow Boys exhibition is free to under-16s? The Kelvingrove Museum also invites children to discover the Glasgow Boys in a fun and accessible way with their Wee Glasgow Boys and Girls weekends. Once a month, have fun getting creative with a variety of activities for familie, including painting, drawing, dressing up and games.

Will You Be My Guinea Pig?, asks Katy Wilson, the Starcatchers Artist in Residence at Tramway. Through creative playing Starcatchers will try to disrupt the expected and create something dynamic, original and multi- dimensional for 0-4 year olds and their adults. On July 2^nd and 3^rd at The Tramway.

Remember to pick up your Glasgow Kidz Card before the holidays. It gives the children aged 5 to 12 access to free swimming, free movies and more activities like the Tall Ship, City Sightseeing Glasgow. Although accompanying adults still have pay their entry, it is still a good discount and great fun for the family.

Photo Credits: The Huntarian Museum & Art Gallery

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With the summer weather finally upon us, it is tempting go out to make the most of our beautiful country. An unexpected sunny day into a memorable fun time with a day around Loch Lomond with friends or family.

Only half an hour away from Glasgow and boasting beautiful natural settings, it is a classic and yet always enjoyable. One piece of advice though: if it is a sunny weekend, it is best to get there early to enjoy the day before it gets too crowded.

Luss is a picturesque little village around Loch Lomond, easily accessible from Glasgow. Here is an idea of a walk around the village.

You can park the dedicated car park on the bank of the Loch. Following a short walk around the village, stop for coffee and outstanding cakes at The Coach House on Church Road. The café is warm and cosy, the staff are welcoming. The cakes are rich and fluffy at the same time. The shop also has a carefully selected range of gifts sourced from around Scotland with a cute selection of collector's teapots. A note to families with babies and young children: the café has baby food and a changing area with everything you need for your baby.

From The Coach House, you can continue to your right and walk past St Kessog Church. The present church was built in 1875 and renovated in 2001 but there has been a church on this site since 510AD. Kessog was Scotland's patron saint before Saint Andrew, and is said to have brought Christianity to the area around Luss. At the back of the church, there is a clearing with a path where you can learn more about the Kessog's history and enjoy the natural lanscape.

If you retrace your steps back to the village and past the church, you can walk along the beach to return to the car. If the day is anything like the last time we went, the car park was packed by that time and the nearby beach very busy. We picked up our picnic and headed across the motorway (there is a waking bridge above the road).

From there on, it was all quiet again. The short and easy walk takes you through the woodland. Although there is no built-in picnic area, there are many suitable spots where to lay your picnic blankets and enjoy a peaceful moment with a book, a magazine or some knitting.

After crossing the road again and walking along the sheep fields, the stream curves and forms a pebbled beach-like elbow where the children enjoyed dipping their toes. Proceed with extreme caution.

The walk forms a loop and brings you back to the car park. There is a longer walk which takes you to the top of the hill, which commands magnificent views over the Loch. From there, you can see Balmaha, an invitation to go back to the Loch the next time the sun is out?

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Did you know that there are so many dancing opportunities in Glasgow, you could dance pretty much every day of the week? Use the beginning of the week to rest because the rest of the week will be super busy. Things kick off on Wednesday.

Wednesdays will be Salsa days at the Tumbao Salsa School. Learn the sexiest of Salsa…. Authentic Cuban Style! If Salsa isn't for you and you prefer a more local style of dancing, there is something for you too with Ceilidh dance classes at St Andrew's in the Square. Wednesdays are also the day for Jive Classes at the Rock Till you Drop Jive Club. There are two classes, one for beginners and one fore intermediates.

On Thursday, it is time for some ballroom dancing at the Rutherglen Town Hall Tea Dances, a series Tea Dances with a mixture of sequence and ballroom to suit all tastes.

Friday is the day for you if dancing isn't exactly your thing. You can still enjoy it seating comfortable on your seat with the 26th Annual production of the The Dance School of Scotland at the Theatre Royal.

On Saturday, the children are invited to an African Dance workshop as part of Refugee Week. A chance to enjoy some wonderful, earthy, traditional West African dances with live drumming and hypnotic rythms. Strong, energising and playful. Grown ups will enjoy exuberant performances of Spanish music and dance, followed by a salsa party at The Bodega (8pm, La Bodega, DWA Studios 1120 South Street, Whiteinch, G14 0AP).

On Sunday, head out to Kelvingrove for the Annual Glasgow Mela. The Glasgow Mela celebrates the city's multiculturalism with a day of music and dance from the Indian sub-continent with songs and dances being the main attractions. You can also try different types of Scottish dance with live music accompaniment at the SDTA Studio (101 Park Rd, Kelvinbrige, G4 9JE tel: 564 4824)

So come on, give it try! Dancing is a great way to stay in shape, have fun and make new friends.

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We are lucky in Scotland to have high-quality, fresh food produced right here on our doorsteps. Scottish smoked salmon, Highland beef, Loch Fyne oysters, and freshly caught langoustines are the envy of the world. There is actually so much more to Scotland's beautiful fresh produce and what better place to discover that than the local Farmers' Markets?

Glaswegians are familiar with the Glasgow Farmers' Markets held alternatively at Mansfield Park (Hyndland Street, G11 5QE) and Queens Park (20 Langside Road, Queen's Park G42 9QL). Over forty stalls – mostly manned by the growers and producers themselves – sell fresh, local and seasonal produce. With locally produced meat, Scottish honey, kale, strawberries, tomatoes, organic cheese, organic eggs, jam, fish, freshly made scones and pancakes, you can easily do your weekly shop at your local market. Producers are always happy to share their favourite recipes. Check the website for dates and locations.

There is a third Farmers' Market in Glasgow at the Silverburn Shopping Centre, at the Next entrance. It operates on the last Sunday of each month from 11am to 3pm. (Barrhead Road, G53 6QR)

Milngavie’s weekday farmers' market offers a variety of products from all over Scotland. The market takes place on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am to 2pm. It can be found on Douglas Street (G62 6PE).

The Paisley Farmers' Market, managed by the Ayrshire Farmers' Market Co-operation, has stalls offering locally produced beef, lamb, pork, game, fish and shellfish, plants, vegetables, soft fruit in season, home baking, cheese, soups, confectionery, and eggs with occasional crafts, Fairtrade and beauty products. The market is held on the second and last Saturdays of the month, from 9.00am to 1.00pm, although stalls may be sold out earlier.

Greenock Farmers' Market is on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 9am to 2pm. Up to 17 local producers offer quality meat, fish, fruit and vegetables from Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and the west of Scotland. (Clyde Square PA15)

The Edinburgh Farmers' Market is at Castle Terrace every Saturday, 9am-2pm.

For more Farmers' Markets in Scotland, visit Taste In Scotland.

So, with so many local farmers’ markets to visit, will you take the Eat Local Challenge?

Photo credits: http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/

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With summer well on the way, it is time to get ourselves ready for a very busy month of June. The Glasgow West End Festival is back! The Festival has grown from small events in 1996 to up to 445 events across 38 venues and 137,000 participants in 2008. Enjoy yourself and show your support for this festive opportunity for Glaswegians to get together and enjoy the city in a different light.

The fun starts with the opening Festival Sunday on Sunday June,13th in the Kelvingrove Park. The park becomes a playground of music, colour, entertainment, food and drinks. The Mardi-Gras parade – packed with samba bands, costume groups and musicians – will process along Kelvin Way towards the Art Galleries and passing back through the park (3-4pm). There will be four stages of jazz, world, blues, Latin and Celtic folk music. The activities are for everyone and include Clydesdale horses and rickshaw rides. Enjoy a stroll through the hundred stalls of craft, books, toys, community information and charities.

It is hard NOT to find something to do that week! What will be top of your list?

• Celebrate La Fete de La Musique in Ashton Lane. The Festival started in France in the early 80s and has now gained worldwide momentum. Classic music, jazz, Djs, and many more are playing for free indoors and outdoors.

• A walk to discover the history of Glasgow right here in our familiar surroundings. If you enjoyed the book “Whose turn for the stairs?” which we mentioned a while ago, then the Historic Maryhill walk promises to be interesting (June 15^th).

• Following our posts on meditating in Glasgow, who would have thought that the West End Festival would be the place to go? The Vajrayana Buddhist Centre will hold meditation introduction on June 22^nd and 24^th. An introductory session to Transcendental Meditation will take place at the Hillhead library (June 12^th). Head out to the Botanic Garden on June 19^th for an outdoor meditation led by a teacher from the Glasgow Buddhist Centre.

You can find out more about the hundreds of events taking place during the Glasgow West End Festival on the website or download the programme.

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Children birthday parties – these three words evoke both fond childhood memories and a moment of panic when comes the time to organise your children's birthday parties. How many children will come? How expensive will it get? What does that the said child have in mind?

From parties at home, to taking a few friends to the cinema, or invite the whole class to the party, there are so many options. To give you a hand, here are five ideas for children's birthday parties in Glasgow.

The Tall Ship has a delightful children's party area below deck. Pirates and fairies, prepare yourself for an afternoon of play, music and snacks in a private area. The incredible setting is sure to ravish your little guests.

The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre also hosts fun birthday parties for children from age xx to xx. Attend the puppet show on a Saturday afternoon and have a fun snack time after the show. You can also choose a purposely designed workshop to make your own puppet and theater.

For a birthday party with a difference, try the An Clachan cafe. The team is lovely, coffee is delicious and the food is prefect. The cafe is tucked away in Kelvingrove Park. When your little guests need to stretch their legs, they can go out to the adjacent play area. They will be able to run around the slides, scisaws, climbing frames and enjoy themselves.

Jungle in the City (Gardner Street, Partick G11) can reserve the whole place for your party. On weekdays, parties are from 3.30-5.30pm and weekend times are also available. Your friends will be able to run around on the play frame for an hour and enjoy a healthy and delicious snack. There are dress up costumes available, coffee and tea for parents.

Busy Bees Crafts Studio in the South will help you plan your crafty birthday party in their private party room. Party guests decorate their chosen craft and also paint a cotton party bag, and receive a craft project to take home.

Happy birthday!

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For non-drivers, spring and summer are a good time to start up driving lessons. The weather is nice. Making the most of the summer holidays to attend an intensive driving course might be just the thing to get over the apprehension of driving. If you start in the summer, you can continue into winter and learn to drive in all weather conditions. There are many driving schools in Glasgow and recommendations from friends and relatives are often the best way to find a driving instructor. Many instructors will come and pick you up at your house or office, and drop you off at the end of the session. You can conveniently book your theory or practical driving test online. If you are a driving instructor, remember that you can advertise your driving school in the Join Gather Marketplace, it's FREE.

Sewing is another fun craft that is easy to learn. It can even become slightly addictive! There are weekly adult sewing classes at the Annexe in Partick (9a Stewartville St., Partick, G11 5PE. Tel: 357 6747). The classes are open to all and take place every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

If you would like to learn by yourself, the Glasgow Craft Mafia has some cute free tutorials online. John Lewis, Mandor's (134 Renfrew Street, G3 6ST tel: 0141 332 7716) and the Fabric Bazaar (171-177, London Rd, G1 5BX tel: 0141 5525085) all have interesting selections of fabric and patterns at various prices. If you don't want to spend too much on fabric while you are learning, the Barnados store (250 Great Western Road Glasgow G4 9EJ) regularly has new fabric in stock, either folded or on the roll. They are also good sources for haberdashery and trimmings. Books can be a great source of inspiration. Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed and Organic Materials and Weekend Sewing are two big favourites around here.

We're loving this quest for something new to learn in Glasgow. What about you? Has anything tempted you? Have you been learning anything that you would like to share? Are you looking for something else to learn? Just click on the comment below to let us know.

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