Four talented authors have been shortlisted for Scotland’s largest literary prize, the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book of the Year Award, in partnership with Creative Scotland.

The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music is pleased to announce the dates for this year’s whole school tour. This year’s tour will take in Glasgow and Stirling, with shows at the Scottish Music Centre, St. Andrew’s In The Square, and the Tolbooth. It is hoped that one other date will be added before the tour concludes with the final concert at Plockton High School.

Italia ‘n’ Caledonia by Mike Maran and Philip Contini tells the story of their grandparents who left Italy for Scotland at the beginning of the 20th century.

A retrospective of the work of Ann Henderson will be on show at Caithness Horizons in Thurso, the birthplace of this inspirational artist. The exhibition will run from 18th June – 4 September 2011.

The National Theatre of Scotland and Bank of Scotland launch a pioneering project to seek out and encourage the development of new theatre directors.

“New Artists, New Work” is an exhibition which is opening at Inchmore Gallery (near Inverness) on Saturday 21st May 2011. The opening will take place from 2pm until 5pm where you will be able to view works by new artists to the gallery and new work by artists who are already exhibiting at the Gallery.

Shetland Arts & Crafts Association are proud to announce the launch of Shetland’s first ever Craft Trail. Around forty craftspeople, artists and related shops and outlets are participating in opening their workshops or studios –to visitors. Some studios are purpose built and professional; sometimes the studio is just a corner of a house – visitors can buy direct from the craftmakers, designers and artists or commission a special gift.

Gair Dunlop’s twin-screen film installation about the fast reactor site at Dounreay is to be screened in Edinburgh, Caithness and London.

Strathpeffer Community Centre is holding is first Art Fair on Saturday 14th May and Sunday 15th May.

Two of the UK’s finest orchestral musicians commit to Scotland’s national symphony orchestra.