Hamish Henderson - An Artist's Inspiration

Carrying Stream Festival/Fèill Sruth an Eòlais 2026

(Sun 15 Nov: 2pm)

In this new film, artist Charles Nasmyth looks at the man behind the legend and asks who was he, really? Why was he inspired to paint his portrait?

Perthshire-born Hamish Henderson was a colourful character. Multi-talented, he was the only British soldier well enough versed in Italian to take the surrender of the fascist armies in Italy in 1944. He also helped Jewish children to escape Nazi Berlin. He went on to help found the School of Scottish Studies and recorded hundreds of songs and ballads from rural Scotland, preserving them for posterity.

Growing up under influences from all shades of society left Hamish free to navigate Britain’s class-based culture without feeling out of place in any company. Paradoxically, he didn't let his socialist internationalism stand in the way of a passionate belief in self-determination for Scotland. He didn't raise Scotland above its merits, but valued the country for what it really is. In this film, Fife artist Charles Nasmyth meets many of Hamish's friends and collaborators and explains why he felt so strongly that Hamish should be commemorated in a painting.

~~~~~

This autumn, explore the changing world of the traditional arts and the legacy of the great Scottish folklorist, songwriter and activist Hamish Henderson. Audiences, writers and traditional artists of all kinds will come together as part of the Carrying Stream Festival 2026 for gatherings, talks, sessions, workshops and performances.

The ethos of the festival is to celebrate and encourage the Carrying Stream; the organic route by which music, song, spoken word and all manner of culture, is passed on from person to person and from generation to generation. The Festival originated with the Edinburgh Folk Club and SSC is delighted to be part of its revival this year along with friends and partners across Edinburgh.

As t-fhoghar seo 's e saoghal ealan thraidiseanta agus dìleab Hamish MhicEanraig a tha romhainn. Bidh iomadh seòrsa duine a’ cruinneachadh aig Fèill Sruth an Eòlais 2026 - bho sgriobhaidearan gu seinneadairean is luchd-èisteachd ealanta nam measg gus còmhraidhean, seiseanan, bùthan-obrach agus taisbeanaidhean a chumail.

’S e amas na fhèille a bhith a’ comharrachadh agus a’ brosnachadh an ‘Carrying Stream’ (beul oideachas/beul aithris, sa Ghàidhlig) – an t-slighe nàdarrach anns a bheil ceòl, òrain, sgeulachdan agus cultar gan toirt seachad bho dhuine gu duine agus bho ghinealach gu ginealach. Thòisich an fhèill gu tùsail aig Edinburgh Folk Club, agus tha an SSC air leth toilichte a bhith an sàs san ath-bheothachadh aice am-bliadhna, còmhla ri caraidean is com-pàirtichean Dhùn Èideann.

---

With thanks to Jeni Ní Fhlannagáin & Eideard MacCoinnich for translation support.

• Film
• £8.00
• 15 November 2026
• 75 minutes
• 14:00
• Scottish Storytelling Centre
• Netherbow Theatre
• 14+