Six things to do in rural Scotland this September

The nights may be drawing in, but there's still plenty going on across rural Scotland! Here, we highlight just six of the fantastic events taking place in September - from a food and drink festival at Loch Lomond to a major literary festival in Dumfries & Galloway.

Perthshire Open Studios

• When: 5 - 13 September 2015
• Where: across Perthshire and Kinross-shire

Artists and makers welcome you to their studios during this annual nine-day event. This year’s event has over 230 artists in 143 studios, workshops and galleries, open to the public visit. Some will be giving demonstrations, many providing refreshments and all guaranteeing a warm welcome.

Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival

When: 5 & 6 September 2015

Where: Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch

The tenth Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival brings over 20,000 people to the area to enjoy great food, drink and entertainment. As well as scrumptious food and drink to taste you can enjoy cookery demonstrations, a haggis eating competition, Space Food Shows and much more!

Woodworking and Bodging Weekend

• When:19 & 20 September 2015
• Where: Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Loch Tay

Test your woodworking skills at this unique event as James Pumfrey from Kew Gardens in London demonstrates wood-turning on a traditional pole-lathe. The event is particularly appropriate to the Crannog because the Scottish Crannog Centre's underwater archaeologists found what could be the earliest evidence of wood-turning in Scotland with the discovery of a 2500-year-old fragment believed to have been turned on a lathe!

Dornoch Walking Festival

• When: 25 - 27 September 2015
• Where: Dornoch and the surrounding area

What better way to discover the lovely Dornoch area than on foot? A huge variety of guided and self guided walks to suit all of the family will give you a chance to see charming buildings and streets, the beautiful beach and links and the surrounding hills and farmland. From a bat and owl walk at dusk to a pilgrimage around historic Dornoch to an archaeological walk, there will be something to interest everyone.

Wigtown Book Festival

When: 25 September - 4 October 2015

Where: Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway

This ten-day literary celebration in Scotland's Book Town is a must for book lovers. This year's festival sees over 240 events take place including free events for under-25s programmed by young people. Writers taking part include Mairi Hedderwick, Phil Jupitus, Patrick deWitt and Jenny Colgan.

Day of the Region

• When: throughout September 2015
• Where: Annan, Canonbie, Eskdalemuir, Glentrool, Sanquhar and Whithorn

Six communities in Dumfries & Galloway are offering over 200 free events and activities throughout September for this year's Day of the Region. There promises to be something for everyone with events ranging from cooking demonstrations and arts and crafts to football, music and BBQs.