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Tomorrow is set to be another blustery day, with an amber warning being given by the Met Office. The bad weather warning covers much of central, southern and western Scotland on Wednesday. So if you're planning on wearing a kilt tomorrow be sure to watch for any big gusts!

The year of Creative Scotland 2012 will see a programme of events take place that celebrate Scotland’s artistic and cultural strengths. The aim of the project is to highlight the vibrancy of Scotland’s creativity to audiences at home and abroad. With an investment of over six million from the National Lottery 2012 is set to be a fantastic for Scotland’s thriving cultural scene.

Count down to 2012 in Scotland’s capital cities. This year’s Edinburgh street party has a fantastic line-up including DJ Mark Ronson, Frisky and Manish, Peatbog Faeries Capercaillie, The Cuban Brothers, Friendly Fires, Kassidy. The night promises to be a feast for the eyes as well as the ears with the world -famous firework display lighting up the sky, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh castle this is a superb choice for Hogmany. If you are in Glasgow bring in the New Year take a look at a host of events taking place in George Square. As part of the festivities the square is being turned into a Curling rink during the day, giving everyone the chance to sample the National Sport! There will also be children’s activities and delicious food and drink. You could also do some traditional dancing with Ceilidhs taking place at many locations in the city centre. For Ceilidhs make sure your kilted out in your best Highland Dress, for ladies tartan sashes are ideal of Highland dancing.

As Burns Night approaches it’s the perfect time to immerse yourself in the history of Scotland’s favourite son. Take a trip to Burn’s beloved Alloyway and pay a visit to the Robert Burns Birthplace museum. The museum comprises the cottage where the poet was born as well as the the most complete collection of his work and traces burns rise from farmer’s son to world- renowned poet. Well worth a visit! As part of your celebrations on Burns Night itself why not drink a toast from a traditional Scottish drinking quaich or opt for a kilt in the distinctive Burns tartan.

Haggis is the only main course that is acceptable on this special night in memory of Scotland’s most beloved bard. If you have vegetarian or squeamish guests there are number of delicious vegetarian versions. If you fancy something sweet Cranachan is a delicious traditional pudding made with oats, raspberries, cream and whisky. When it comes to the Selkirk Grace toast a traditional Scottish Quaich is the perfect receptacle for some of your finest whisky.   The Selkirk Grace Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit. As the haggis is being piped in the guests stand as a mark of their appreciation, a key part of the ceremony is the cutting open of the haggis which can be accomplished with aplomb using a traditional Dirk. Then follows Burns’ famous ‘Ode to the Haggis’At the end of the poem, a Scotch whisky toast will be proposed. Once the meal has been eaten it’s the time for speeches which play a crucial part in the evening. Delivery should be light hearted and entertaining, as such the speaker should be rewarded for their efforts with much applause, you might also like to offer a small token of appreciation to the speaker such as a pair of Celtic cufflinks or mini-bottle of whisky. To add to the occasion why not present ladies with a tartan sash and younger members of the party with homemade tablet. Adding tartan ribbon to your front door to welcome friends and family is also a nice touch. Have a great Burns Night. Slante!      

Private Bryan Johnson became engaged just minutes after being awarded the Military Cross for bravery. Johnson one of five Scots to receive the Military Cross risked his own life to come to the aid of a fellow soldier in the midst of a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan. The hero from the Royal Regiment of Scotland got down on one knee to propose, dressed in highland military attire including a kilt and glengarry. The Royal Scots was founded in 1633 are the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army. In 2005 they were merged with the King's Own Scottish Borderers. The regiment’s cap badge features the Saltire of Saint Andrew, the Lion Rampant and the Crown and incorporates the motto ‘Nemo Me Impune Lacessit’ which means ‘No one provokes me with impunity!’ The regiments wear a regimental cap badge, tartan and Glengarry headdress, each separate battalion wears distinctive coloured hackles on the Tam o' Shanter head dress to maintain their individual identity. All of the battalions wear the Blackcock tail feathers attached to the Tam o’Shanter in traditional style. The tartan of the new regiment is the Sutherland tartan which is a version of the Black Watch tartan worn by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlandersand the kilt is sewn in traditional military box pleats. The horsehair sporran features a Black Watch mantle. The Black and Red diced Hose and scarlet Garter flashes are in the same style as that worn by the Black Watch. Soldiers of each Regiment wear a battalion Hackle and while in combat dress each battalion wears different coloured hackles on the Tam O’Shanter. We would like to wish Private Johnson our congratulation and offer our services should he be looking for a traditonal Highland wedding outfit! The

Iconic British brand Burberry have signed up My Week with Marilyn star Eddie Redmayne as the face of their new advertising campaign. Working the distinctive tartan for the Burberry fashion house, Redmayne is one of the many film stars that have helped Burberry to become one of the world’s most valuable brands. The 'Burberry Check' was designed in the early 1920s by the Burberry Company and the tartan is recognized by the Scottish Tartans Authority.

Our favourite choir master, Gareth Malone looked dashing in tartan at the International Emmys ceremony in New York. The International Academy of Television Arts & Science awards recognise outstanding achievements so it was only right that Mr Malone picked up an award for Arts Programming for his series ‘Gareth Malone Goes to Glyndebourne’ which was shown in 2010. During this year’s series 'The Choir: Military Wives' the programme led to the release of the charity single Wherever You Are which is battling it out for the Christmas number one. Gareth Malone said the Military Wives have Simon Cowell ‘quaking in his boots’ and we are rooting for the Military wives! Gareth accepting his award    

Following a mild November Scotland has experienced its first bout of wintry weather - get cosy and wrap up against the chill with Harris Tweed or a wool tartan headscarf ! Brrrrrrr...

This Christmas gather you friends and family and raise a toast with a special glass of your favourite malt! Whisky is a spirit that really comes into its own during the cold winter months. Perfect for keeping out the chill whisky is a popular tipple for Christmas and Hogmany and makes a great gift too. If you are gifting friends and family a bottle of whisky a pewter flask or Quiach, a traditional Scottish drinking vessel is a lovely addition. Here are some perfect tipples to sample over the festivities season. Glengoyne has some fine offerings including the Glengoyne 17 years has a well-balanced palate of flavours and a delicate citrus taste. The distillery sits on the right on the so-called ‘Highland Line’ which is a mark on the map created by Parliament in the 18th century to help collect taxes. At the time whisky producers in the highlands paid less that their fellow producers in other parts of Scotland. From Glenmorangie Highland Park 12 Year Old Island Single Malt Whisky is worth its premium price, subtle smooth and fragrant, this is a classic offering from Orkney with notes of honeysuckle and heather. Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky comes from one the oldest family run distillery and their latest offering doesn’t disappoint with toffee and orange flavors coming through nicely. Whisky lovers may have felt understandable concern over reports this week that the popularity of Scottish whisky has peaked to such a level that stocks could be at risk. Export sales this year increased by over 23% in the last nine months – and this is before Christmas and New Year sales are taken into account!- with the surge in sales potentially leading to shortages. The growth of markets in South America and Asia has seen new middle classes emerge who are attracted the prestige and traditional surrounding Scottish whisky. The ten year lag time of production is a further factor. However all would not be lost are these are some alternatives should a shortage happen – Japanese malt whisky is, like it’s Scottish counterparts is double – distilled in pot still. Japanese whisky has come on leaps and bounds over the last ten years and has received lots of positive attention in Europe, particularly when the Nikka Yoichi 10 Year Old Japanese Whisky won the Best of the Year prize in the Whisky Magazine awards. Scottish and Japanese love of whisky came together in a more sombre mood when Scottish distilleries came together to support the relief effort following the devestating Japanese earthquake and Tsumani. Distillers Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell's Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank created the ‘Spirit of Unity’whisky – over £90,000 has been raised so far thanks to sales and the money has been used to provide urgent supplies and to house over 300 people in temporary accommodation. So this Christmas celebrate unity and enjoy a Scottish or Japanese malt. From midnight mass to the chimes of the New Year there is no better time to enjoy that water of life.