Explore Scotland’s adventure playground during Homecoming Scotland 2014

2014 is a special year for sport in Scotland as the country gets set to host the XX Commonwealth Games in July and the Ryder Cup in September. As part of Homecoming Scotland 2014, there is also a packed programme of active events and activities that you can take part in or simply watch.

Whether your passion is hurtling down a mountain bike trail, swimming in open waters  or perhaps a less strenuous hike along a forest trail, there is a brilliant moment for everyone looking to get active during the year-long programme of events.

Here is a rundown of some of the most active events on the Homecoming calendar for 2014.

For more information on active experiences in Scotland visit www.visitscotland.com.

Rock & Road Bike Festival

Cairngorms National Park

9 – 11 May 2014

The Rock & Road Bike Festival brings a feast of bike events for mountain bikers, roadies, novices and families alike. The striking glens, flowing trails and winding roads of Tomintoul and Glenlivet are what cycling dreams are made of. Situated in the Cairngorms National Park amidst some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery, Tomintoul and Glenlivet is a hidden gem for cycling in Scotland but the secret’s out and we’re geared up and ready to welcome riders from over our hills and far away.

For more information visit: www.rockandroad.co.uk

Newton Stewart Walking Festival

Various Venues, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, DG8 6JL

9-15 May 2014

A week of guided walks and evening talks exploring the wild hills, rugged coastline, rolling countryside and attractive towns and villages of Galloway. The most challenging walks deep into the Galloway Hills are led by members of Galloway Mountain Rescue Team who have a range themed walks led by local experts in areas such as wildlife, flora and fauna, history and geology.

For more information visit: www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.uk

Tweedlove Bike Festival

Various Venues, Tweed Valley, Peebles, EH45 8NB

24 May – 8 June 2014

With the country's best purpose-built mountain bike facilities, and an amazing network of historic paths and quiet country roads, the area is the perfect stage for cycling. For 2014 the festival will be hosting one of the world's most high profile mountain bike events, as the best international riders come to compete in the first ever UK round of the Enduro World Series. Tweedlove will also introduce a major new bike event which combines fun and cool nostalgia, at the festival's inaugural Tweed Ride - where riders of all ages take up traditional style and clothes for a historic ride to Traquair House.

For more information visit: http://tweedlove.com/

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Regent Road Edinburgh, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA

24 – 25 May 2014

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival (EMF) takes place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May. The course was voted the fastest marathon in the UK and Edinburgh the second best city in the UK for runners - so it’s fast, picturesque and flat making it a must-do for runners, fundraisers and anyone looking to set a PB!

For more information visit: www.edinburgh-marathon.com

Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament

Bell's Sports Centre, Hay Street, Perth, PH1 5HS

7 – 8 June 2014

The Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament is the largest annual volleyball tournament in Great Britain and attracts over 1000 players from around the world and this year’s event will take place on the weekend of the 7th and 8th of June. It is for all standards of player from recreational, district league and national league level who play on our 36 outside courts on the North Inch, a large parkland setting in the centre of Perth. However, there are the Divisions of Honour for world class players who compete in the adjacent Bells Sports Centre on 5 championship standard indoor courts.

For more information visit: www.scottishvolleyball.org

Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup

World Cup Village, Fort William, Inverness-Shire, PH33 6SQ

7 – 8 June 2014

The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup boasts 300 of the world’s best riders from 25 nations and is one of the biggest gatherings of British world title holders of any single sport.

More than 15,000 spectators are expected to attend the idyllic Highland setting to enjoy watching some of the most gruelling, high-speed events in extreme freesports: the Downhill and 4-Cross.

For more information visit: http://fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk/

Bardowie Loch Open Water Swim Festival

Bardowie Loch, Craigmaddie Road, Bardowie, Milngavie, Glasgow, G62 6EX

8 June 2014

The Bardowie Loch Open Water Swim Festival offers a choice of 750m, 1km and 2km distance swims to challenge all competitors abilities. There will be a 750m & a 1km loop on the day of the swim. Full swimmers details will be sent out 2 weeks prior to the swim.

For more information visit: www.vigourevents.com

Lochalsh Dirty 30 Challenge

Glenelg Village Hall, Glenelg, Kyle, Ross-Shire, IV40 8JU

14 June 2014

Dirty 30 Challenge is a 30 mile circular walk (or shorter 12 mile) to be completed by midnight starting at Glenelg. The route showcases the area at its best, attracting both local and national entrants. All those involved appreciate the spectacular views to the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle and the Five Sisters of Kintail.

For more information visit: www.lochalsh-trails.co.uk

Glen Moray Bike Ride

Glen Moray Distillery, Glenmoray Distillery, Elgin, Morayshire, IV30 1YE

22 June 2014

The event is organised by a series of partners including NESS, Moray Council and Glen Moray Distillery.

The event is very family focussed with a route option for everyone:

– a nice flat 10 mile route,

- a slightly more challenging 25 mile route and

- a 75 mile route for the experienced cyclists.

For more information visit: www.moray.gov.uk

Turnberry Beach Rugby Tournament

Turnberry Beach, 4 Maidens Road, Turnberry, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9LS

4 – 6 July 2014

18 teams compete for glory on the sand followed by an evening of local cuisine and live music with local band Escapade and an after party.

For more information visit: http://turnberrybeachrugby.com/

Dunlop British Touring Car Championship Knockhill 40th Anniversary

Knockhill Racing Circuit, Saline, Dunfermline, Fife, KY12 9TF

22 – 24 August 2014

The only Scottish round of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship will be televised on ITV4, and will feature the 40th anniversary celebrations of Knockhill Racing Circuit, Scotlands National Motor Sports Centre.

For more information visit: http://www.knockhill.com/

An Feis Mor: Scotland's Festival Of Paddlesport

Various Venues, Perth, PH2 0TH

24 – 26 October 2014

An Fèis Mòr, Scotland’s Festival of Paddlesport, is the event that brings together all forms of canoeing and kayaking and celebrates the diversity and breadth of paddlesport. It includes the ever popular annual Canoe Show featuring all the latest equipment as well as talks and workshops covering everything from getting into the sport through to extreme expeditions round the globe.

For more information visit: www.canoescotland.org

Camanachd Cup Final

Bught Stadium, Bught Park, Inverness, IV3 5SP

13 September 2014

Shinty is one of the fastest, most physically demanding and skillful sports in the world.

The Camanachd Cup Final is shinty’s big day out, attracting thousands of spectators! The event celebrates the two top teams in the game competing for one of Scotland’s oldest and most iconic sporting trophies.

For more information visit: www.shinty.com

World Stone Skimming Championships

Easdale Island Community Hall, Easdale Island, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4TB

28 September 2014

Easdale was once famous for its slate quarrying and known as the island that roofed the world. It has an abundance of perfect skimming stones and the now flooded quarries provides the perfect arena. Skimming is undoubtedly an ancient skill utilising the island's natural resource. The event is fun for all the family and has categories for all ages so everyone can get active and take part. Entertainment at the pre skim dance and on the day itself encourages creativity for all.

For more information visit: www.stoneskimming.com

Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running 2014

Fort Augustus To Bught Park, Inverness, IV3 5SQ

28 September 2014

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running, now in its 13th year, will feature an exciting enhanced programme of activity alongside the popular Loch Ness Marathon, 10K, 5K and Wee Nessie races and Baxters Food & Drink Fayre. This will include the Run Home Clan Challenges and a Run Home Whisky Festival.

For more information visit: www.lochnessmarathon.com

Exposure Lights World Solo 24 Hour MTB Championships

Nevis Range, Fort William

11 October 2014

World Championship event for Solo 24 hour mountain bikers. A test of strength, endurance and bike skills as in 2014 the World Champs comes to Leanachan Forest in the Highlands.

For more information visit: www.wembo.com.au

Race the Castles

Various Venues, Scotland, EH1 2DP

11 – 19 October 2014

Part of Homecoming Scotland 2014, Race the Castles is an orienteering event based on the castles of Edinburgh, Stirling, Crathes and Balmoral. It offers international World Ranking Events and British and Commonwealth Championships for elite racers, alongside mass-participation courses suitable for all ages.

The first weekend features sprint distance and urban racing in the Old Towns of Edinburgh and Stirling. The route is disclosed only at the start line, with a marked map of the course around the city. However, you can be sure to be racing through both the tourist highlights and the dark back alleys of these great cities.

For more information visit: www.racethecastles.com