MayJournal

This May, sampling Scotland's national drink has never been better with the Whisky Month celebration and the Edinburgh Beer Festival. The kids will be inspired by Imaginate, the dance and theatre festival especially for children.

For big kids there are some fantastic festivals showcasing the exciting local talent behind Scotland's whisky.

For little kids, Edinburgh's children's festival brings the best of theatre and dance.

World Whisky Month | Various venues & speakers throughout May.

We fully recommend (for the whisky novice or whisky buff), the fantastic new Johnny Walker experience in Princes Street. As good at the storytelling as the tasting. For somewhere more rural head to Glenkinchie whisky distillery in East Lothian for a lowland whisky tour and taste.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival | tbc

Tradfest | 2nd - 12th May 2025

A Pint of Science | 19th - 21st May 2025

Hidden Door Festival | tbc

The Hidden Door Arts Festival transforms its next derelict city space into a bustling arts venue. Hidden Door is a happy blend of grassroots artists and headline acts, in the words of Barry Gordon “Hidden Door have quietly resuscitated what surely is – even in its current rough ‘n’ ready state – the best live music venue in the country.”

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical | 25th April - 4th June 2025
• Scottish Ballet: The Crucible | 1st - 3rd May 2025
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | 13th - 17th May 2025
• The Merry Widow - Scottish Opera | 29th May, 1st, 5th & 7th June 2025
• Trial by Jury - Scottish Opera | 30th May & 6th June 2025

• The National Galleries of Scotland have a huge number of events, tours and artist workshops for both adults and children.
• Hopetoun House and grounds often host ranger walks and house tours throughout the year. See their website for what's on.
• Dalkeith Country Park is very similar, bushcraft, walks and foraging workshops are hosted frequently.
• Dovecot Studios offer behind the scenes tours and workshops on tapestry, drawing and needlework.
• And last but not least, the National Museums Scotland host in depth tours for grown ups and fantastic exhibition interpretations for little ones.

For the best food, drink and local larders in and around Edinburgh we have listed some of our favourite Edinburgh and country based restaurants, shops and suppliers for your May break.

Foodie events in May

The Free Company : Spring Series | tbc

Brew your own

How about booking yourselves in to Craft Beer Kitchen. Stewarts Brewing has long invited the public in to try their hand at crafting the perfect pint. With expert guidance, you can spend the day brewing your very own bespoke beer. If staying at Eastside, the brewery are more than happy to send the beer on (within the UK) when it's ready. Not a bad holiday souvenir!