Whether out on the town, or snuggled up indoors, here are our top picks for making the most of your down time
Going out
CINEMA Arrival
Amy Adams stars in a world where aliens come to Earth. As a linguist recruit, she must try and communicate with the aliens as they handle the first contact in an emotional sci-fi drama.
MUSIC Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society
The Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society was founded over 60 years ago. Members have included many “weel kent” Orcadian musicians. They meet on Thursday evening at The Reel, in Kirkwall, at 8pm until around 10pm, and welcome new players and listeners.
THEATRE Lady Macbeth: Unsex Me Here
What could be better than an evening of Shakespeare than an evening of dance and Shakespeare? To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death, Company Chordelia and Solar Bear bring to Mull Theatre, on the Isle of Mull, on Saturday, November 19, an exciting piece of dance theatre.
ART Ceramic Workshop at Ullapool Visual Arts
On Saturday, November 19, you can choose between a short or long workshop with Allison Weightman. Learn how to glaze and fire a bowl or be introduced to making for raku and pit firing. Contact marketing@ antallasolais.org
NIGHTLIFE John Coletta and The Humpff Family
I hope you have your dancing shoes ready for a knees-up at Hootananny in Inverness. John Coletta started playing the mandolin thanks
to his Scottish roots, but then he discovered bluegrass and ragtime. On Saturday November 19 at 9.30pm.
Staying in
TV I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
There is nothing better than being cosy with a cup of tea and fluffy slippers while watching a bunch of starving celebrities get covered in bugs. Watch an Olympian, a footballer, an actor and other personalities as they eat gross grubs at 9pm on STV on Thursday and Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9.25pm on Saturday.
DVD Finding Dory
Whether you have little ones or are a grown-up 20-something who wants to re-live their childhood, then this is the movie for you. A simple tale of a little blue fish who just wants to find her family, Finding Dory will tug at your heart and have you reaching for the tissues.
MUSIC Now! That’s What I Call Christmas
Let’s be honest, we have tried to hold Christmas off for as long as possible, fought against the shops and the TV adverts, but it is time to give in. Turn the music up, sing along to Wham! and get practising those cooking skills for December.
PODCAST Another Round
Those office parties are looming and granny has started on the eggnog. This is the perfect time for a podcast for those who love a drink or two. Tracy Clayton and Heben Nigatu talk to each other while drinking and they touch on every topic from radical politics to the best ways to live your life.
BOOK Belgravia by Julian Fellowes
There is a Downton Abbey-shaped hole in my life this winter, and now there is something to fill it. Belgravia is set in the 1840s but starts with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The book opens in Brussels at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, but a secret is slowly unravelled as the tale moves to London’s most prestigious postcodes. 
FOR YOUR DIARY
THE ELVIS YEARS
Get those sequins at the ready for a night celebrating the king of rock ‘n’ roll. The musical production will bring to life the story of Elvis at Eden Court in Inverness on March 18 and 19, 2017.
SAM BAILEY: SING MY HEART OUT
The X-Factor winner is taking to the stage again with her own live show after a successful stint in the musical Chicago. Meet and greet packages are available when she visits on April 4, 2017.
37TH SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
Between April 27 and 30 in 2017 will be the UK’s most northerly folk festival. It will be filled with events for performers, visitors and locals.