Throughout November Every Friday 5pm to 8pm Live Jazz, Snafu, Aberdeen. Meet Simon Gall and his pack of jazz cats when they are let loose for some fine jazz music every Friday early evening. If you've just finished work and want to relax this is the place for you. Free entry, complimentary nibbles and if booking parties of over four a free bottle of house wine. To book a table visit www.clubsnafu.com

18th November 2006, Lanark Christmas Continental Market, Lanark. Traders come from all over the UK to sell a wide range of unusual gifts, crafts, food and drink on both sides of the town's wide High Street. Santa will be there with his reindeer- pulled sleigh, to help switch on the Christmas lights. A heritage fairground and all-day live entertainment, from choirs and bands to panto will get everyone into the Christmas spirit. www.lanarkmedievalfestival.co.uk will give you a flavour of what to expect.

1st January 2007 The Loony Dook, South Queensferry, nr Edinburgh. To celebrate the first day of every new year, a growing number of hardy souls leap into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry - fancy dress welcome, wetsuits not allowed and all monies collected go to local charities. You don't have to be loony to join in but it helps... To find out more about this fun event please visit www.theloonydook.co.uk

17th January to 4th February 2007, Celtic Connections, Glasgow. The biggest winter music festival in the world, Celtic Connections features artists from around the globe alongside the very best Scottish talent at venues across the city. From concerts, ceilidhs and club-nights to drums, drams and dancing, January evenings will never be dull again! www.celticconnections.com

Aviemore Sled Dog Rally (Dates to be confirmed) Glenmore Forest Park, Aviemore. At this time of the year , mushers from throughout the UK gather in the area around Aviemore for one of the most challenging and prestigious of the British Siberian Husky Club's series of rallies. Hopefully the weather will proide plenty of snow to make it a real arctic experience. If there is no snow at ground level for the event, the races will still go on with mushers using a three-wheeled rig that looks like a bike without a seat. The program of events can be found at www.siberianhuskyclub.com

31st January and 1st February 2007, Silk Painting, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry, Perthshire. Anna Ford is hosting a 'Two Day Workshop' which includes all materials, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Let skilled artist Anna Ford direct you through the stages of silk painting, from the initial design process, through various materials and techniques, to the creation of your first silk painting. Tickets are priced at £85. Contact www.pitlochry.org.uk for further details of times etc.