Best museum event

1 FREE MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM, 3-24 August

National Museum, Chambers Street 0131 225 7534

Bring a friend and let us transform your lunchtime with a daily dose of exciting traditional performances. From Highland dancingand Gaelic song to a traditional boy band from Tiree, this vibrant three-week programme features the very best of Scottish music and dance.

2 HEAVY HORSE SHOW, 13 July

National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride, 0131 247 4377 www.nms.ac.uk/rural

Experience all the fun of the farm with demonstrations, craft fairs, pony rides and workshops. Watch the farmer work his sheep in style with the sheep-dog trials and see sparks fly with the renowned Edward Martin horseshoeing competition.

3 HARVEST HOME, 14 September

National Museum of Rural Life

Harvest time is one of the oldest known festivals, with Saxon farmers offering the first sheaf of corn to their gods to safeguard next year's crops. Children will have the chance to flaunt their gardening skills or baking prowess and also show off their pets – call 0131 247 4377 to register your perfect pet today.

4 AIRSHOW, 26 July

National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, 01620 897 240
www.nms.ac.uk/airshow

Come along to the National Museum of Flight's annual airshow for an action-packed day out. There will be more than two hours of breathtaking, high-octane aerial displays, including historic warbirds and contemporary military jets. This year the highlights will include a Battle of Britain flight, a Eurofighter Typhoon, wing walkers and a Royal Navy Sea King. There will be plenty to do throughout the day on the ground including children's activity workshops, fairground rides, displays, demonstrations and more.

5 MAGNIFICENT MACHINES, 27-28 September

National Museum of Flight

Discover the size and destructive power of Europe's biggest monster trucks. See them up close as they demonstrate their crushing skill in a breathtaking performance. There will also be classic and vintage cars, modern-day sports cars and top-of-the-range motorbikes for you to see. You'll also be able to climb inside aircraft cockpits, where you'll discover how it might feel to be a pilot. There will be magnificent machines for the family to enjoy, including quad bikes and karts.