Throughout April 2009, ScotlandsPeople Centre, East End Princes Street, Edinburgh. Visitors can view digitised key Scottish resources such as birth, marriage and death records, wills, census records and coats of arms, going back almost 500 years. Staff are on hand to offer help and advice. Visit www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk for full details.

Throughout the year Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh, provides an abundance of interesting events to suit the whole family from experiencing what it was like to be a servant in the castle in days gone by to art classes and discovering the exotic blooms which can be found in the gardens there is something for everyone. Full details can be found on their website www.cac.org.uk

4th to 19th April 2009, Dumfries and Galloway Wildlife Festival, Across Dumfries & Galloway. The Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival hosts events arranged to allow you to see some of the region's special wildlife. So if you have never seen a red squirrel, red kte or badger, now is your chance. Experienced wildlife watchers and beginners will both find something of interest in the festival. A full list of all the details can be found at www.wildlifefestival.org.uk

3rd to 8th April, 2009, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh. This annual event promises to be the best one ever. Attended by musicians from all over the world. This event is one not to be missed. For full details of programme and ticket prices please visit www.harpfestival.co.uk

17th April 2009, Scottish Grand National Festival, Ayr. The ultimate event in the Scottish National Hunt calendar which attracts a quality field from across Britain and Ireland. The chase is the culmination of the Gala Casinos Scottish Grand National Festival, a glamorous steeplechasing festival at the recently revamped Ayr Racecourse. Details of the racing can be found at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk

Continuing to 19th April 2009, Ceilidh Culture, Edinburgh. A lively and vibrant celebration of Scottish arts, showcasing music, dance, poetry and storytelling from home and abroad. Individual performances, concerts, workshops and classes in traditional song, music, dance and storytelling all feature. www.ceilidhculture.co.uk will give you a taste of what to expect.

25th April 2009, Scottish Family History Fair, Aberdeen. There couldn't be a better or more appropriate venue than King's College Conference Centre. The tiered Auditorium is where the Scottish Parliament met for three days in May 2002 - the first, and probably only, time the Parliament has been in session outside Edinburgh. There will be many interesting stalls to visit in the beautiful Elphinstone Hall, situated adjacent to the Auditorium. Whether you are a seasoned ancestor or hunter, or just interested in researching your own family tree, it will be well worth a visit. Full details ca be found at www.safhs.org.uk

25th and 26th April 2009, Scottish National Scale Model Show, Perth. The Dewars Centre in Perth welcomes the largest scale model show in Scotland. Attracting modellers from all over the UK and Europe, the show features the competition to find the Junior and Senior model-maker in Scotland, model displays and demonstrations of model-making for all skill levels. Visit their website at www.scotnats.org.uk for information on their activities.

26th to 30th April 2009, Highland Homecoming Golf Classic, Royal Dornoch, Golspie, Brora & Tain. What better way to start the golfing season off than with four days wonderful golf in the Highlands? The four courses in The Highland Golf Classic combine to reflect just why Scotland is known as the Home of Golf. The grandeur of Royal Dornoch with its magnificent setting and rolling fairways; the rugged nature of Brora and its roaring seas; the mix of links and parkland and superb views from Golspie and the timeless sculpted holes of James Braid's Tain Golf Club. www.scottishgolfclassics.com

Throughout April and continuing until 23rd May 2009, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen. Prints and watercolours by the renowned Scottish artist John Bellany ranging from his famous hospital scenes of the 1980s to examples from suites of prints made at Peacock Visual Arts in Aberdeen. Further details can be found on www.aberdeencity.gov.uk