Throughout October 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

October 2009 and throughout the year, Loch Rannoch Watersports Centre, Kinloch Rannoch. A multitude of activities are available to groups and individuals. Taster sessions for beginners are available all week, while those with more experience can benefit from further training or simply hire one of their boats. All activities are under the supervision of qualified staff, and all necessary equipment can be provided for a safe and enjoyable day, weekend or week away. You can choose from Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Boat Hire, Mountain Biking, Quad Biking, Off Road Driving and Safari’s, Climbing, Abseiling, Archery, and multi-activity courses. www.goforth.co.uk

9th to 11th October 2009, Tunnock's Tour of Mull Rally, Mull. Talked about as 'the best rally in the world', the thrilling Tunnock's Tour of Mull sees cars compete against the clock over the island's often single-track public roads, with lots of hairpin bends, steep hills and big drops! Come and compete or spectate and party in one of Mull's biggest events of the year. You will find full details of this event on www.2300club.org

9th to 18th October 2009, Cowalfest, Cowal. Cowalfest, Scotland's largest walking festival, is also a major arts festival with a 10 day programme of walks, arts, cultural and social events that celebrate landscape and the natural world's influence on creativity. This is a unique and vibrant festival full of local character and charm. Its mountains and lochs, formed by fire and ice, are graced by forest and ancient woodland, are not far away from those stunning west coast sea lochs. www.cowalfest.org lists all the appropriate details.

16th October 2009 to 1st November 2009, The Enchanted Forest, Faskally Wood, Pitlochry. Scotland's top sound and light show returns to Faskally Wood near Pitlochry with 'Creation'. The spectacular sound and lighting effects will be used to illustrate the earth's history from its early volcanic state to the Ice Age and the Jurassic era right through to modern times. www.enchantedforest.org.uk list all the details of this festival.

Throughout the year, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, John Knox House High Street, Edinburgh. The Centre is a unique venue the home of Scotland's stories on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The autumn and winter programme reflects the seasons and celebrations of St. Andrew's Day, Yule and the turning of the year, with live storytelling, theatre and family events. Please visit their web address www.scottishstorytellingcentre .co.uk for all the relevant details.

22nd to 25th October 2009 The Trossachs International Mushroom Festival, Aberfoyle. This food, music and cultural festival is based on the humble Mushroom, wild varieties of which can be found in the Queen Elisabeth Forest adjacent to Aberfoyle. Come and enjoy concerts, cookery demonstrations, fishing and golf competitions, ceilidhs, and a special programme for children. The 'International Flavour' theme is Iceland and there will be a Viking camp for children. Please visit www.visitaberfoyle.com for all details of this event.

23rd to 25th October 2009, Lockerbie Jazz Festival, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway. The Lockerbie Jazz Festival is a showcase of music that mixes top international artists, great Scottish bands and the best local musicians from Dumfries & Galloway. Whether you enjoy relaxing or tapping your feet to the Dixie beat, the Festival has a style to suit every taste. www.lockerbiejazz.com has details of the full programme

28th October to 22nd November 2009, sound 2009, Aberdeen City and Shire. 'sound' is an exciting music festival, unique to the north east of Scotland, arranged by local organisations with the aim of presenting an eclectic but very broad range of contemporary music, to a large and varied public. For details of full programme visit www.sound-scotland.co.uk