Homecoming Scotland 2009: Local Events in West Lothian
6th March - Homecoming Ceilidh
Come and dance the night away at this fantastic fundraising event! The fun evening will include an auction, a buffet dinner & live music from Eriskay Lilt. A great way to get involved in Homecoming.
Where - West Lothian College, Livingston
Contact - events@west-lothian.ac.uk / 01506 427 667
9th May - Deacon’s Court Street Fair
This busy local event sees the town centre enjoy a street fair and music from local bands.
Where - High Street, Linlithgow
Contact - www.linlithgowmarches.co.uk
30th May - Bathgate & West Lothian Highland Games
This fantastic event has taken place on the last Saturday in May since 1973. Bathgate is proud to host many traditional activities including highland dancing, solo piping, pipe band and heavy athletics competitions. This is a great family day out with lots to do for both young and old.
Where: Bathgate's Meadow Park, Bathgate
Contact: www.westlothianhighlandgames.com
6th June - Bathgate Procession & John Newland Festival
Started in 1844, the Bathgate Procession and John Newland Festival is a true celebration of Bathgate’s history! With an events programme which runs for two weeks prior to the procession, including a street fair & children’s sports, this is not to be missed.
Where – Various venues through Bathgate
Contact- www.bathgateprocession.com
16th June - Linlithgow Marches
This historic event has taken place for many hundreds of years originating from a time when it was vital for a community to make sure that its boundaries were intact. Like many other royal burghs in Scotland, Linlithgow jealously guarded the patch which it governed. The whole community comes together to celebrate Linlithgow with a shared sense of history and local pride still very visible. To take part from the beginning you’ll need to be ready for a 5am start!
In addition Two Deacons Processions will be taking place on June 6th and 13th.
Where - Various venues throughout the Linlithgow area.
Contact- www.linlithgowmarches.co.uk
27th June - 16th August - Prehistoric Frolics
The lives of our ancient Scottish ancestors will be celebrated at this ongoing event, allowing everyone to play their part in recreating a prehistoric encampment. Workshop sessions will be run each day to teach the skills essential for prehistoric living. Step back in time and learn how to build a shelter and fences, tend to livestock, make a fire and even go hunting!
Where - Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston
Contact- www.almondvalley.co.uk
June - Harburn Festival
The Harburn Festival (date TBC) offers something for all the family including an art exhibition, children’s art competition, fun dog show, a duck race, live music vintage tractors and classic cars.
Where - Harburn village, 4 miles from West Calder on the B7008.
Contact- Ray Kew 0044 (0)1506 883517
7th – 28th June - West Lothian Festival of Brass
Now in its 8th year this annual celebration of brass music features six of Scotland’s top brass bands competing head to head. The final is a competition between the winning bands from the two semi finals. West Lothian Festival of Brass provides entertainment and musicianship of the highest quality with all the excitement that the competition brings.
First semi final: Sunday 7 June, 6.30pm
Second semi final: Sunday 14 June, 6.30pm
Final: Sunday 28 June, 6.30pm
Where - Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate
Contact- www.bathgateregal.org.uk
26th July - Hopetoun House Summer Fair
A fantastic, fun-filled, family day out in the beautiful setting of historic Hopetoun House. The action packed day features exciting arena displays, rock climbing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, music, food, shopping, face painting and all the usual fun-of-the fair activities. If all this sounds like too much, escape into the cool interior of Hopetoun House for a tour of this magnificent stately home.
Where – Hopetoun House, South Queensferry
Contact- www.hopetounhouse.com
15th July – 12th August - Scotch Hop
Come and help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of this lively event with an evening of Scottish dancing for all the family. Held in the historic setting of Linlithgow Palace Courtyard, you can dance to live music from great Scottish bands. Scotch Hop is an unforgettable experience attracting people from across the world each year!
Wednesdays 7.30pm in July and August
Where – Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow
Contact- www.scotchhop.co.uk
Sundays May - September - Torphichen Summer Nights
Magical music in an unrivalled setting as a variety of world class musicians perform on summer Sundays in Torphichen Kirk. This is a unique musical experience with the Kirk creating an intimate setting where everyone is close to the music. These warm and lively social evenings even include interval drinks in the 12th century Torphichen Preceptory.
Where - Torphichen Kirk, Torphichen
Contact- www.torphichensummernights.org.uk
10th - 13th September - Linlithgow Folk Festival
Come and join in the Folk Festival 11th birthday celebrations in 2009. The weekend will feature a packed programme culminating in a headline Festival Concert on the Saturday night. Visitors can enjoy informal “Oot and Aboot” sessions, workshops in singing, song writing, storytelling and jam sessions and more than a bit of dancing!
Where – Various venues throughout Linlithgow
Contact- www.linlithgowfolk.com
13th - 19th September - Bathgate Music Festival
The Bathgate Music Festival bursts onto stages all over town in September (date TBC). The week-long celebration of every style of music will include evening gigs at the Regal Theatre, lunchtime concerts, bands and music groups at different venues and free live music outside the heart of Bathgate.
Where – Various venues throughout Bathgate
Contact- Anna on 0044 (0)1506 777 947 or www.bathgateregal.org.uk
30th October - 1st November - Linlithgow Book Festival
This fantastic event is perfect for all the book lovers out there. Acitivities include poetry workshops, book readings & open-mike sessions.
Where - Various venues throughout Linlithgow
Contact - www.linlithgowbookfestival.org
16th October - 1st November - Linlithgow Arts Festival
Celebrate Linlithgow is a fantastic annual celebration of arts and cultural events for adults and children. The unique event (date TBC) includes music, literature and poetry, visual arts, drama, storytelling and arts and crafts. The programme involves local groups, young people, as well as professional musicians and writers – you’d be mad to miss it.
Where - Various venues throughout Linlithgow
Contact - www.celebrate-linlithgow.org.uk
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