Great fictional characters from Scotland
From Sherlock Holmes to Toad of Toad Hall, we take a look at ten of the best characters from Scottish literature.
Indian summer
Scotland annually plays host to a number of summer events celebrating Asian Scottish culture.
Each year, thousands of festival-goers flock to events celebrating the diversity of Scotland's communities.
Festivals attract performers from many different parts of the world, who come together with local communities to celebrate their heritage and culture.
Glasgow Mela
The Glasgow Mela is Scotland's biggest multi-cultural festival, with a record 40,000 people turning out for the 2010 event.
The festival, based on the traditions and customs of the Indian sub-continent, celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2011 by moving to a two day event on 18 and 19 June.
Nothing quite compares to the energy, vibrancy and colour of the Glasgow Mela – shimmering saris, fabulous food, and inspiring music and dance are just some of the sights and sounds of this free entry summer event.
Headline acts have previously included Jassi Sidhu, Josh, Jinx, DCS, Legacy, Malkit Singh, Arif Lohar, Sabri Bros, Apache Indian, Sohota Brothers, Stereo Nation, Dr Zeus and Jazzy B.
The 2011 event will see musicians, dancers and performers across the globe take to the stage, with live music from Mumzy Stranger, DCS, Manak-E and bass2base plus performances from Gtown Desi, Chhau Dancers, Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band, Desi Bravehearts and Siddi Dhamal Dance.
Edinburgh Mela Festival
The Edinburgh Mela brings a riot of culture and colour to the city every September. Celebrating the cultural diversity of Scotland, the Mela (Sanskrit for 'gathering') brings together musicians, singers and dancers from a huge variety of ethnic groups for a carnival atmosphere.
Founded in 1995 to showcase the talents of Edinburgh’s ethnic minorities, the Edinburgh Mela has now grown to regularly attract more than 20,000 people to its diverse range of theatre, dance, music and art.
The first festival was held in Meadowbank Stadium and quickly grew to attract 20,000 people each year. In 2000 the festival moved to the city's Pilrig Park and in recent years has drawn large numbers of people over the weekend, resulting in the most recent move to Leith Links in 2010.
Previous highlights have included performances by award-winning Punjabi singer Jaz Dhami, the Jaipur Kawa Circus and a fashion show featuring saris made from Harris tweed.
The 2011 Edinburgh Mela will take place from 2 - 4 September.
Edinburgh International Festival 2011
The Edinburgh International Festival will this year celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures of Asia, including India.
Artists from China, India, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam will take part in the three-week event in August.
This will include performances from the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, one of India's foremost dance companies; a collaborative project between Edinburgh Trio AAB and two of the biggest stars of Indian music, Carnatic violinists Ganesh and Kumaresh; and Amjad Ali Khan, one of India's greatest muscians, who will play a series of Morning Ragas on the sarod, a multi-stringed traditional Indian lute.
Image courtesy of the 02 Glasgow Mela
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