The fisherman looked out from the noust where his boat was safely stowed until the next time. Fishing on Orkney was a risky business, but the pull of the waves was strong and the feel of the wind and sea spray whipping past him was irresistible…

What’s going on? Look carefully – how many gulls can you count? Can you make the sound of a gull?

Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub, and who do you think they be?
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, turn them out knaves all three.
The butcher was wishing they’d found a bigger boat! Quite how they were going to reach the shore he had no idea. He wished they hadn’t played that prank on the grocer…

What’s going on? Are the three men happy, scared or just fed up? Do you know any other nursery rhymes?

Look at the picture. Can you find: a hungry shark? A lighthouse?

Ben was nervous. He hadn't had time to practise this tune on the big drum, and Mr Gillespie was not in a good mood. Oh well, everyone else seemed to be giving it a go, and it wasn't a very tricky tune, something about baby sharks...

Look at the picture. Can you spot: a royal crown? A moustache? The artist's name?

It was Saturday afternoon and the Links Market was in full swing. The sun was shining, and everyone seemed to have an ice-cream in their hands. The air was buzzing with noise and movement – people chatting, children running around, food sellers shouting out their wares, seagulls fighting over scraps.

The annual Links Market in Kirkcaldy has been around for centuries, and today is a fun-filled extravaganza of fairground rides. Have you ever been to the Links Market? Who did you go with?
What’s your favourite carnival ride? How does it make you feel?

Freezing ice, dark clouds gathering - they were living dangerously in their woolly socks and shiny shoes. But no-one was walking (or sliding) away from this game, not when the reds had just pulled ahead. Then, what was that? It was a slow creaking, cracking, snapping noise coming from the ice itself...

Have you ever tried ice-skating? Are you a dancer on ice or do you prefer warmer indoor sports?

I squinted through the snowflakes at the figure on the path ahead of me. Was it my friend carrying his sledge? An icy wind gusted around me and I shivered. I wished he would hurry up!

What’s going on? Who do you think the figure in the painting is? Where are they going?

Did you know there are over 400 Scottish words and phrases for snow? Try out: snaw (snow), sneesl (to begin to rain or snow) and skelf (a large snow flake).
What’s your favourite thing about snowy weather?

Suddenly out of the dark loomed the white lighthouse. This was where the treasure was hidden, but could they get past the tumbling waves and rocks all slimy and black? And were the rumours of pirates true?

Have you ever seen the Isle of May? It’s not far from here off the Fife coast and is famous for its seabirds. Guillemots, razorbills, shags and cormorants can all be seen there.

Ava pressed her nose up against the window watching the storm coming over the hill. It wasn’t fair! She wanted to put on her new wellies, but Mum said it was too wild outside…

What’s going on? We know that this is a painting of a hill covered in cloud because of its title. If there were no clues, what would you imagine it could be? A relaxing bubble-bath? A chemical reaction?

Look carefully, what cool colours can you spot? Can you describe the mood they create in the painting?

Safe at last! They could see the church spire in the village and were cheered by the thought of fish and chips for tea. It felt like they’d been running forever from the noise they had heard in the deep, dark wood…

What’s going on?
The painting looks towards the village of Kilrenny in the East Neuk of Fife. What types of buildings can you see?

Imagine you are standing on the spot in the picture. Close your eyes. What can you hear? What can you smell?

One for sorrow, two for joy,
Three for a girl, four for a boy,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
They say I’m an unlucky bird, but I’ve been lucky all my life, swooping around the Fife countryside. I’ve a large family and a nest full of shiny things…

What’s going on?
Magpies are known as the thieves of the bird world – they love treasure! Imagine you have a bird’s eye view of its nest. What would you see in it?

When you go outside later see how many other types of birds you can spot. A robin? Some cheeky starlings? A blackbird with a gleaming yellow beak?

Rex was thinking of all the things he could be doing if he wasn’t having his picture painted. He could be running around in the garden, chasing the birds (or next door’s annoying ginger cat). He could be having his tummy tickled or his ears rubbed. He could be looking for the bone he’d buried in the rockery last week – his little secret. One thing was for sure, there’d better be a nice long walk and some extra biscuits later...

What’s your favourite type of dog?

Ghhrrrrrrrrrr…… the noise coming from the cat was not a happy one. Fur was about to fly; claws were on stand-by and milk had already been spilt. There could be only one winner and Marmalade was in a fearsome, sharp-toothed, terrier-chewing mood today.

Cat cuddler or dog walker – which are you? Or would you prefer a more exotic pet – are you in fact a snake lover or a parrot fancier?

Vivian was getting very bored with sitting still. It didn’t help that Billy kept fidgeting on her lap and digging his claws into her leg. She was beginning to get quite cross with him. Also, the dress she was wearing was making her neck itch. How much longer was this going to take?

Look carefully at the painting. Can you spot: a tree? A squirrel? A swan?

If you were having your portrait painted what would you like to wear? Do you have a favourite outfit?

Sam was very excited. He’d never seen a steam train before. Well, only on TV and that didn’t really count. He was even getting to ride in the engine with his dad and the driver. Clouds of steam were billowing from the funnel and drifting along the platform. The driver gave Sam the signal to sound the whistle and the train started to move slowly out of the station...

Look at the painting. How many carriages can you count? Where do you think it is going?

It had been a long walk along the coastal path from their house in St Monans to Crail. Billy’s feet were very sore. He thought he might have blisters. Maybe wearing his new boots had been a bit silly? They’d seen lots of sea birds though, and even some seals basking out on the rocks.

Look at the picture. How many chimneys and windows can you count? Some of the houses are very colourful. What colour would you like to paint your house?

It had all gone horribly wrong. He had no idea where he was. He’d jumped out of the plane and opened his parachute, but he’d drifted off course and now he was on his own. He had to find his map and get to the meeting point.
He rummaged around but there were so many things in his rucksack - even a tiny doll dressed in traditional Polish costume. His little sister had given it to him for luck. He’d have to empty it all out on the ground...

Look at the picture. How many photos can you count?

If you were going on an expedition what useful things would you take with you? Can you come up with a Top Five?

The regatta was amazing – a procession of beautiful boats, each one more spectacular that the last, a glittering display of gold, blue and green, magnifico!
Not the best bit though. Oh no, that was the rowing races. Once the rope was untied they were off, and there could be only one winner…

Did you know Venice is built on over one hundred islands and has no roads? How would you get about, would you swim?

A steep hill, the very best sort for sledging down, but what about the people? Mabel imagined swooshing and whooshing her way to the bottom. But what about the canal that lay in wait, things could get a bit wet…

Lowry was famous for painting ‘matchstick men’ who seem cold and lonely – what do you think? Where are these people going, and are they happy to be going there?