THIS WEEK'S arts, entertainment and lifestyle highlights from around Scotland, including music from Malcolm Middleton and Seasick Steve, fiery festivities in Edinburgh and Speyside, and comedian Eddie Izzard kicking off his UK tour in Aberdeen. Music: Malcolm Middleton Electric Circus, Edinburgh Tonight, 7pm, £12 The former Arab Strap singer-songwriter starts his UK tour in support of a reissue of his solo debut, 5:14 Fluoxytine Seagull Alcohol John Nicotine. But he's also promised to dip into his back catalogue - and unveil some of his new material too. Theatre: A Doll's House Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Until Saturday, various times, £14.50-£29 Art: RSA New Contemporaries Until 8 May, 10am-5pm (12pm-5pm Sundays), £4 RSA New Contemporaries, now in its fifth year, replaced the Annual Student Exhibition ﬁrst held in 1976. It is a once-a-year chance to spot new talent from among the graduating students of Scotland's ﬁve art schools, and you don't need to tramp round all the degree shows to do it. Culture: Beltane Fire Festival Calton Hill, Edinburgh Tuesday, 8pm, £7 adv. £10 on the day Edinburgh's annual procession of fire, drumming and revelry is a remarkable event, now attracting some 12,000 visitors. Held to celebrate the start of the summer (we can but hope), expect dancing, theatrics, and a phenomenal atmosphere. Comedy: Eddie Izzard AECC Arena, Aberdeen Thursday and Friday, 6.30pm, £35 Now firmly established as one of the world's biggest stand-ups, the king of surreal musing kicks off the UK leg of his brand new show "Force Majeure" in Scotland. Expect typically eccentric insights from the man who turned "talking b****cks" into an art form. Music: Shetland Folk Festival Lerwick, Shetland Thursday to Sunday, tickets must be purchased for individual concerts Justly famous around the world, the UK's most northerly folk festival will this year showcase another fine array of local music - as well as hosting performances from visiting acts such as Skerryvore, Woody Pines and Cedric Watson. Food & Drink: Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival Speyside, Moray and the Highlands Thursday to Monday, various times and prices With more than 350 events taking place over five days, this celebration of Speyside's illustrious whisky heritage takes in plenty of tastings and distillery tours - as well as food, music, culture, sightseeing, contests and master-classes. Music: Seasick Steve The Picture House, Edinburgh Friday, 7pm, £22 The much-loved DIY blues rocker is back on tour with brand new album Hubcap Music, so expect earthy entertainment and great, gritty tunes from outlandish personalised instruments. This delightful old dog has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years - and deservedly so. Clubs: Bicep, Steffi & Dark Sky @ Naive x Feel My Bicep Make Do, Glasgow Saturday, 10pm-4am, £8-£12 more info Almost as if to show how much of an open, multi acre-sized field house music has become, Bicep, Steffi and Dark Sky converge to bring their own distinctive slants on a patch still bearing fruit in the most surprising ways. Music: Big Day In Sunday, 2pm, £15 There's a terrific day of music in store at the Electric Circus this coming weekend, with sets from indie darlings Dutch Uncles, local electro heroes Discopolis and Glasgow band Machines In Heaven, among others.