Catherine Turnbull talks to Alasdair Nicolson, the new director of the St Magnus Festival.

Unique and boutique, The Insider Festival returns for it’s 3rd year. With a capacity of just 750 sharing 30 acres of camping on the banks of the Spey on the Edwardian country Estate of Inshriach House.

A strand of programming featuring top performers and a major new commission celebrating the culture of Scotland’s islands will be at the heart of this year’s Blas Festival, which has established itself as the premier event celebrating all that is good about the Gaelic language and culture of the Highlands.

Katie Laing reports on the aims and aspirations of the Scottish Government’s latest focus event, The Year of Scotland’s Islands.

Belladrum Festival is looking to attract artists who will create site-specific installations and sculptures that excite, move, intrigue and inspire, while respecting the environment and interacting with festival goers. Closing date for submissions is 28 May 2011.

The Famous Grouse has today announced the line-up that will entertain crowds at The Famous Grouse Festival’s opening night on Friday 12 August.

Craignish Arts Festival 2011 will be held from 23 July – 7 August. It will bring together the best of all things art for a fantastic fun packed fortnight.

One of Scotland’s newest Independent Film Festival, the Loch Ness Film Festival is back for a 2nd year. This year’s featival will take place from May 26-29th 2011 and will be screening short films from Scotland and around the world to feature films such as Dog Soldiers, Toy Story 3 and indie features the Scottish Comedy from Aberdeen, One Day Removals and the Falkirk Gangster flick The Cowboy Court.

Fort William, Lochaber, 6-7 May 2011.

Things are hotting up for the Southern Fried Festival of American Roots Music in Perth, Scotland as the final line-up is confirmed.