Sail with sharks

Earthwatch (01865 318831; www.earthwatch.org) has started a new volunteer project studying basking sharks in Scotland this summer. Hop aboard a 39ft sailing yacht on a five-day trip identifying key shark sites as well as the sharks for £440 from 3-8 and 17-22 August.

Taste of Skye

Learn to cook on the Isle of Skye with demonstrations by cook and writer Claire Macdonald at Kinoch Lodge (01471 833214) for £300 based on three nights' full board and two mornings of demonstrations. Courses are available from October to December.

On yer bike

The Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill is being held at Fort William on 1-2 June. Tickets cost £10 for one day, rising to £25 for three days, including the training day. Call 01397 705825.

Ye bonnie banks

A Lomond Shores visitor centre at Loch Lomund (01389 721500; www.lochlomondshores.com) opens 24 July with films portraying the history and legends behind the loch. Tickets cost £5.95 for adults and £3.75 for children.

Canal odyssey

Mike Holland heads for Manchester on his 1,000-mile canal odyssey around England. Read about his progress online at www.observer.co.uk/travel