MANY of you will be dreading the royal news deluge coming down the tracks on Saturday for the coronation of King Charles - and we know how desperate you are to seek ways to escape it.
Below we have compiled a list of some of the alternative events and activities taking place in Scotland so you can dodge the ceremony if you wish to.
All Under One Banner independence march
Campaign group All Under One Banner will be holding an independence rally in Glasgow on Saturday.
Supporters are invited to join the march from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow Green, with participants asked to gather before an 11.30am start.
It is expected to draw a large crowd as many will be keen to make a statement against the monarchy at a pivotal moment in its existence. The event has historically attracted a lot of Scots anyway, as in 2019 at least 35,000 people attended to make the case for independence with Saltires and Lion Rampants in tow.
Confirmed speakers include SNP MSPs Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, Robin McAlpine from Common Weal, former first minister Alex Salmond, and Jim Cassidy from Trade Unions for Independence.
To find out more click here.
Our Republic Calton Hill rally
Another way in which you can express your displeasure with the coronation is by going up to Calton Hill in Edinburgh on Saturday to hear from speakers campaigning for a Scottish republic.
Organisers Our Republic – a group calling for the abolition of the monarchy - have confirmed a list of speakers for the event from 3pm which include SNP MP Tommy Sheppard and Greens MSPs Maggie Chapman and Lorna Slater.
Republican activists set to speak are David McClemont from Ungagged, Connor Beaton from the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) and Niamh Brook from the Scottish Socialist Youth.
Our Republic said the “phenomenal lineup” shows republicanism is “no longer a fringe concern” in Scottish politics.
To find out more click here.
Edinburgh Comic Con
If you’re looking for something a little more light-hearted and family-friendly, the Edinburgh Comic Con will be running at the St James’ Quarter on Saturday and Sunday.
The place to head is the B3 car park from 10am to 5pm where there will be a variety of traders, artists, toys and crafts, plus there will be a cosplay contest, meet and greets with heroes and villains, and plenty of your favourite movie and TV props.
For more info go here.
Perth Beer Festival
Rather than raising a toast to the new King, you can grab a tipple instead at Perth Beer Festival on Friday and Saturday at the city’s North Inch Park.
The Friday will showcase some of Scotland’s best comedians in Jim Smith and Des Clarke while on Saturday the beer festival will kick into gear with a new gin bar for 2023. There will be a Big Bash Finale on Saturday evening with live music along with a kids' zone and BBQ.
To find out more about what’s happening across the two days and get tickets, click here.
Ullapool Book Festival
Across a variety of venues on the shores of Loch Broom, this is sure to be a treat over Friday and Saturday for all those who’d much rather have their head in a book than watch Charles parade through the streets of London in a gold carriage.
This will be the last edition of the intimate festival with a stellar lineup of authors, poets, journalists and dramatists including Alan Bissett, Doug Johnstone, Michael Pedersen, Hamish Napier and Kirsten Innes.
To find out more click here.
Edinburgh Tradfest
This festival celebrating traditional music from Scotland and around the world will enter its final weekend.
Saturday will feature the May Day March from 11.30am to 2.30pm starting at Johnstone Terrace. This will see participants make a stand against the cost of living crisis.
There will be a session on Cajun and Appalachian music with Dirk and Amelia Powell at the Traverse Theatre from 1pm to 2.30pm while the same venue will host World Play a Strathspey Day from 3pm to 4pm where folks can bring an instrument and join in or just listen along.
Find out more here.
Sporting events
For those of you into sports, there’s plenty on the agenda for Saturday as usual.
For rugby fans Glasgow Warriors will take on Irish giants Munster in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final from 7.35pm. You can watch the match live from Scotstoun Stadium if have a ViaPlay subscription.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of Scottish Premiership football going on with Hibs taking on St Mirren, Motherwell facing Kilmarnock, Ross County playing Livingston and St Johnstone hosting Dundee United.
In the English Premier League table-topping Manchester City will host Leeds United which you can watch on Sky Sports from 3pm, while later on Brentford will take a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool from 5.30pm, also on Sky.
You can find out more details about what’s on TV here.
