Unleash your Celtic spirit this week on a date with one of Scotland's premier performers. Described as Scotland's greatest living songwriter' Dougie MacLean will play at the Brewery Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 26.

If you've ever found yourself propped in a Scottish bar chances are you've heard a few strains of one of MacLean's tunes which include Scotland's unofficial national anthem Caledonia.

He has performed all over the world, including the Carnegie Hall in New York and his songs have been covered by a host of artists including Irish singers Mary Black and Dolores Keane and by Grammy award-winning US country singer Kathy Mattea. His music has also been used in Hollywood films including Last of the Mohicans.

MacLean arrives in Kendal fresh from performing a concert spectacular as part of the Celtic Connections Festival at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall and from a whistle-stop visit to Australia.

So take a sip of single malt, get your vocal chords in fine fettle and prepare to sing along on the 26th.

l Meanwhile, keeping with the contemporary folk theme, on Saturday, February 22, The Big Session is coming to the Brewery Arts Centre.

In this sell-out event in the Brewery's Malt Room, with visitors travelling from as far a field as London and Scotland and to see the cream of British folk-music talent on one stage together.

Innovative and creative folk-based songwriters and performers including Oysterband, Eliza Carthy, alongside emerging performers Rose Kemp, Jim Moray, Benji Kirkpatrick and James O'Grady.

An unmissable night, which puts the spirit and spontaneity of a great pub session on to the big stage, capturing the diversity of English folk music today.