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(Sat 26 Jul-Sun 21 Sep) Internationally acclaimed Scottish artist Moy Mackay invites storytellers, songwriters and poets from her local community in the Scottish Borders to respond to new felt paintings of extraordinary colour and texture. The personal and emotive responses to visual artworks creates a symbiotic relationship between artist and writer. Moy Mackay is an award-winning Scottish artist, gallery-owner, author and educator. Born in Edinburgh, she lives and works in Traquair in the Tweed Valley where her work is often influenced and inspired by the natural beauty and seasonal colour of the surrounding landscape.
Scottish Storytelling Centre Fringe
Storytelling Court
(Sat 30 Aug-Sun 21 Sep) In the UK, we have public healthcare, public transport, public libraries — even public Wi-Fi. So why not public diners? This exhibition uncovers the forgotten history of state-supported restaurants in the UK, and current international examples of public dining. Public diners are state-supported restaurants that sit alongside other core public infrastructure. They’re everyday eating places serving good food at prices everyone can afford. During the Second World War and into the 1960s, the UK had a national network of over 2,000 public diners — including 90 in Scotland and 15 in Edinburgh. Around the world today, governments are investing in their own versions of public diners. Created by Nourish Scotland and 60 community researchers, this exhibition asks the question: at a time of rising food costs and hectic modern lives, could public diners make a comeback and be a solution we all crave? www.publicdiners.org
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 13 Sep: 7pm & Sun 14 Sep: 2pm) The Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a theatre piece based on the life and diaries of Yosef Nachmani - a Russian Jew who migrated from Tsarist Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. Nachmani became Director of the Jewish National Fund in the Galilee and subsequently played a central role in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine’s indigenous people. The play offers a perspective into the origins of settler-colonialism and apartheid in modern-day Israel, exploring themes of loyalty, violence, ideology, and grief. Performed by Ben Rivers, the great grandson of Nachmani, embodying 12 characters over the course of the play and singing in Arabic, Hebrew, Ukrainian, and Yiddish. Featuring guest actor Tam Dean Burn. Directed by Linda Wise, an original member of the iconic Roy Hart Theatre Company. Since August 2023, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories has been performed to audiences in Australia, France, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA. Trailer ~~~~~ Both performances will be followed by a moderated discussion featuring the panellists below. Moderator: Omar Shamma Saturday Evening Panel: Prof Donald Bloxham (Professor of Modern History, Genocide Studies, University of Edinburgh) Dr Shaira Vadasaria (Lecturer in Race and Decolonial Studies, University of Edinburgh) Sunday Matinee panel: Prof Nida Alahmad (Senior Lecturer of Politics and International Relations of the Middle East, University of Edinburgh) Livnat Konopny-Decleve (British Academy International Fellow, University of Edinburgh)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 18 Sep: 7:30pm) *This event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for 2026. All ticket holders will be contacted directly.* Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry. Steeped in the traditions of Scottish storytelling, we evoke the warm atmosphere of peat-smoked hearthsides and ceilidh house revelry, presenting timeless motifs relevant to a discerning modern audience. Join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotland’s finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each bi-monthly Hearth Fire Session to create an innovative showcase of Scotland’s contemporary culture. ~~~~~ Dougie Mackay hails from the Scottish Highlands, from a lineage of natural storytellers. He is fascinated by the wild northern tales of Scotland, Scandinavia, Ireland and the Baltics, with a practice steeped in group-work facilitation and storytelling as a tool for development, connection and empowerment. He has been telling stories professionally for over 10 years and has developed successful long-form shows including Animate Lands and A Wolf Shall Devour the Sun. He co-curates and hosts Hearth Fire Sessions throughout the year.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 20 Sep: 10:30am) Storytellers Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett from the Village Storytelling Centre explore their experience of working with community groups in Glasgow, using applied storytelling skills in community development work. Learn how storytelling can impact people’s wellbeing, social connections and creative skills, and how storytelling can be used as a catalyst for social change. ~~~~~~~~~~ Presented by the Scottish Storytelling Forum these participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Tue 23 Sep: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories, held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 26 Sep: 7:30pm) Wanderers, wayfarers and travellers, pilgrims, rebels and vagabonds have all taken to the roads to seek a path to something elsewhere. Guest storyteller Owen Pilgrim shares stories from his own personal experience as well as folktales, poetry and song about being on the road. Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. ~~~~~ Originally from Canada, Owen Pilgrim has lived and worked in Scotland for many years where he is a celebrated woodcrafter and storyteller. He also runs Telltale Tea Company, which specialises in tea blends named after traditional stories from somewhere in the world. Supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 27 Sep-Wed 5 Nov) This stunning collection of ink illustrations and ceramics by emerging artist Hester Aspland draws lines between traditional stories and wild places. Atmospheric, observational landscape studies and explorations into folklore and fairy tales inform detailed, textural works which blend inspiration from the Golden Age of Illustration with a contemporary focus on the connections between women and nature. Book illustrations for projects working with the stories of Duncan Williamson and Tom Muir are shown alongside other evocative works traversing the landscapes and stories of Scotland, Iceland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 27 Sep: 10:30am) In this two-part development day, artists will be able to investigate some very important aspects of being a musician. Shameless or not, some kind of self-promotion is necessary! The first half of the workshop will consider such questions as:● Why and how to promote?● What is my music?● Who am I making it for?● What do I want to get out of my practice?● How do I describe my music?● Do I need an ‘artist’ name?● Is branding for me? Participants will take a look at who they are as an artist, how they promote themselves, what they want to achieve, an understanding of a good biography, and a plan for next steps. Touring is considered to be a vital part of being a musician, so the latter half of the workshop will cover:● Whether and when to tour● How to get the most out of it● Practical steps such as how to build contacts, approach promoters, negotiate fees and costs, advance shows, and promoting your tour● Agents, press support, and funding The workshop will include practical exercises such as writing a pitch to programmers, and some things to consider if you are considering applying for funding. Participants should leave with a clearer sense of when and how to go about building and delivering a tour, and how to make touring work best for you. Suitable for new musicians working out who they are, what they do and what direction they are headed, as well as established artists who wish to improve, reflect on or change their current direction or image. ~~~~~ Katch Holmes has worked in the music industry in Scotland for 25 years. She has represented artists, commissioned new music, produced residencies and promoted gigs with folk and crossover music acts through her company Off Site Productions. She organises Knockengorroch roots music festival in Dumfries and Galloway. She sat on WOMEX selection panels in 2021 and 2017 and is a Relational Dynamics business coach working with professional creatives. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 27 Sep: 7:30pm & Sun 28 Sep: 3pm) I didn’t ask to be born amongst all those paintings, but like it or not, I had to deal with the collection. A young man stands in front of us, trying to persuade us to fund a museum to honour his uncle. He is visibly uncomfortable: he wasn’t meant to be giving this presentation. It was supposed to be Jo, his mother. When Vincent van Gogh dies at the age of thirty-seven, shortly followed by his brother Theo, it is left to Theo’s widow Jo to carry on his legacy. Thanks to Jo and her son Vincent Willem the painter of Sunflowers is one of the most beloved artists in the world. Through the words of the artist, his brother, his sister-in-law and nephew, discover the genius that the world almost forgot… Written by Rebekah King, performed by Philip Kingscott and produced by Peapod Productions.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 29 Sep, Mon 13 Oct, Mon 10 Nov, Mon 24 Nov & Mon 8 Dec: 7pm) Join us for fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling, award-winning poetry! Loud Poets invite poets to share their work at their regular open mic, now taking place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court. All styles of poetry are welcome and with a different feature performer every time, this event offers a supportive, creative environment for all. Doors will open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start with a twenty-minute interval at around 8pm, wrapping up around 9.30pm. Loud Poets will be managing sign-ups. To sign up to perform, please fill out the sign-up form for the date on which you'd like to perform. This form will close one week before the event, after which they will email you to let you know if you have a guaranteed performance spot. Two spots are always left open to be filled by random draw from poets who sign up on the door. Slots are five minutes and poets are welcome to perform as many or few poems as you would like within that time. You are welcome to go under the five minutes, but please do not go over out of respect to your fellow performers. A message from Loud Poets about this event:"At our open mic and all of our events, we endeavour to create a safe, welcoming space for all to attend and share their work. We ask performers to be respectful of the diversity of our experiences. We do not tolerate any forms of discrimination and harassment. Don't punch down. Performers and attendees who violate this policy will be asked to leave." The Loud Poets Open Mic is organised by I Am Loud CIC. It is produced and hosted by Mark Gallie.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 1 Oct: 7:30pm) Come and enjoy live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where the amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore a different theme with every performance. Hosted by Janis Mackay and featuring a host of new storytelling voices.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 3 Oct: 7:15pm) A monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh, full of stories, songs, music, dance and good cràic! Each month a variety of performers will entertain, alongside the usual space for conversation and friendship. October's session will feature Dòmhnall Eòghainn MacKinnon, Josie Duncan and Gillebride Mac IlleMhaoil with Mike Bryan, hosted by Evie Waddell. Bothan Dhùn Èideann are a not-for-profit group, active for over 21 years, promoting and developing Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Edinburgh and creating space where everyone, no matter their background, feels comfortable celebrating Gaelic in Edinburgh. These events are presented in Gaelic throughout and all are welcome whether fluent speakers, learners or somewhere in between. Bothan Dhùn Èideann is funded and in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 4 Oct: 10:30am) Being a freelance traditional musician means juggling creative work with financial realities - from budgeting for projects to navigating funding applications and managing your day-to-day income. In this practical workshop, Ailie Robertson will demystify the funding landscape and share tools and strategies to help you take control of your finances, build sustainability into your career, and approach funding applications with clarity and confidence. ~~~~~~~~~~ Ailie Robertson has a multi-faceted career combining work as a performer, composer, researcher and educator. She has worked on projects with an array of organisations both in Scotland and internationally, and enjoys helping other creatives bring their ideas to life. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 4 Oct: 2:30pm) Join multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Oakes for a practical workshop on recording and releasing your music, from initial concept to final release.This workshop will guide you through each stage of the process, highlighting where you can save money, where it pays to invest, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Tom will share insightful and helpful tips, and examples of what works (and what doesn’t), helping you navigate your own recording project with greater confidence and clarity. ~~~~~ 2019 Scots Trad Awards ‘Musician of the Year’ nominee Tom Oakes is one of the UK’s top flautists and multi-instrumentalists, as well as a sound designer, composer, producer, educator and label owner. Tom is known widely for his work with Shetland fiddler Ross Couper, genre-bending pan-Finnish act The Auvo Quartet, Scottish power trio OBT, and a new project with Scottish multi-instrumentalist Ali Hutton and award-winning London-Irish fiddler Matt Tighe, as well as his increasing profile as a solo performer. His album Water Street (2022) received global airplay and was longlisted for the 2022 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, while his solo show The Hearth premiered at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe and was shortlisted for ‘Best New Work’ at the 2023 awards. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org. This workshop programme is supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Thu 9 Oct: 7:30pm) Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and cultures around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of true and fictional stories across the year is as varied as the range of storytellers invited. Household names feature alongside new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland. Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks' Tales evenings will be true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali. ~~~~~ Turan Ali has been a producer, director and writer of BBC radio dramas and comedies for over 20 years. He’s been a stage storyteller since 2012, and a stand up since 2021. He tours internationally and has two sell out monthly storytelling shows in Vienna. Turan is the creator, producer and host of Queer Folks’ Tales for which he won the Creative Edinburgh Leadership Award 2024. QFT now tours across Scotland and is Creative Scotland funded. ★★★★★ 'Edinburgh's most vibrant, authentic and exciting storytelling event' (The Wee Review)★★★★★ 'Utterly fabulous' (TheQR.co.uk)★★★★★ (BroadwayBaby.com) Queer Folks' Tales is supported by Creative Scotland
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 11 & Sun 12 Oct: 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm - Scottish Storytelling Centre) Step into a soft, sensory storytelling experience, following the incredible journey of the Painted Lady Butterfly. Every year she travels 9000 miles all over the world ensuring the survival of her entire species. Impossible to complete alone, the journey happens across five generations. Through puppetry, participation and play, Fibi Cowley shows us what we can learn from this incredible creature, and how past generations can inspire us to make the world a better place. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
George Mackay Brown Library
(Wed 15 Oct: 2pm) Prepare to become a Skald, a Viking poet storyteller. Join storytellers extraordinaire Macastory for a daring adventure... YOURS! With Macastory’s help, create your own mini-saga, learn it and tell it in the style of the ancient Viking Skalds. Prepare for sea monsters, battles and even a visit from the gods. Cast the mystical story runes, then it’s up to you what happens next! ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Fri 17 Oct: 2pm) A girl faces a dragon. Songs and stories are her weapons and her armour. Join storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown for a magical tale about courage and dreams. This performance brings together tales and tunes from Lithuania and Scotland, with live music from Gaynor Barradell. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 18 Oct: 2pm) What makes a good story...?! Join storyteller Nicola Wright for cliffhangers, love stories and rags-to-riches tales, bringing 900 years of Edinburgh’s history vividly to life through the eyes of young people. Stories so wild you cannot make them up! For young people (and their adults) with an ear for a story! Supported by the City of Edinburgh Council 900 fund. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
George Mackay Brown Library
(Sat 18 Oct: 6:45pm) BLOOM is a dance performance and personal story from Tokyo-born, Scotland based Percussive Step Dancer Kae Sakurai. This lyrical and innovative work blends expressive percussive dance with original music inspired by tradition, complemented by poetic video projections. BLOOM will delight, refresh and inspire. After the show join us for a fun-filled evening of Ceilidh dancing, a lively Scottish tradition perfect for all ages and abilities! No experience? No problem! Our friendly caller will guide you through the steps, ensuring everyone feels confident and ready to dance. Running orderPerformance 35minInterval 30minsCeilidh: 45 mins ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A PassFunded by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 19 Oct: 1pm) Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Cèilidh Band. All dances will be called and there’ll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Wed 22 Oct: 6pm) A mythical journey through the celestial origin stories of the Fenno-Baltic tradition, told by Finnish-born storyteller Riikka Palonen, accompanied by folk musician Richard Clarke. Modern science tells us we were born from stardust, but how did the ancient people in the north know that? Elemental tales like these remind us that we share this planet, alongside bears, cranes and wolves, but who told the first stories? This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 22 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Beverley Bryant, Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen and Colin Urwin, with musician Marit Fält. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 23 Oct: 10:30am) Scotland’s storytelling tradition has been nurtured by decades of fieldwork by folklorists, capturing the wealth of our intangible cultural heritage and bridging the gap between the past, present, and future. In this engaging and hands-on workshop, storytellers will learn how to explore, interpret, and creatively incorporate sound archives and field recordings into their craft. We’ll also delve into ethical considerations for sourcing and acknowledging materials, honouring the voices of our forebears with respect and care, ensuring the tradition thrives for generations to come. With TRACS CEO Steve Byrne. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Thu 23 Oct: 6pm) The old stories tell us there is one place on Earth where the birds laid down their wings in peace - yet the real battle rages on, the endless war against forgetting. Storyteller Mark Borthwick weaves traditional and electronic music together with full-blooded stories of the old world to transport us to the shores of a new one, where stories are currency, and memory is home. An exploration of postwar migrations, family histories lost to time, and the stories which made us all that we are, a long time ago. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 23 Oct: 8pm) Inspired by David Thomson’s remarkable work The People of the Sea, storytellers Ruth Kirkpatrick and Colin Urwin bring selkie myths and coastal voices back to life. Both tender and brutal, Thomson’s collection of seal folklore and folktales from the coasts of Scotland and Ireland captures the mythic bond between people and nature, acting as a quiet yet powerful homage to a disappearing world. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 10:30am) Storytellers working with musicians is a well-ploughed furrow, but little exploration has been done around the innate musicality of storytellers when talking. Storyteller Daniel Serridge and musician Neil Wood discuss how your telling changes and grows when working in tandem with a musician, exploring pace, rhythm and atmosphere. Everyone is musicking! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Fri 24 Oct: 4pm) Norwegian storytellers Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen and Georgiana Keable Jerstad share tales of trolls, hens and strange husbands. A chance to enjoy the company of two of Norway’s leading storytellers, also celebrating the launch of Georgiana’s new collection Norwegian Folk Tales (The History Press). ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 6pm) Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon present an evocative and moving exploration of what it is to be human, as they lyrically synthesise storytelling with live music and Orcadian folk song. Come for the music, stories and songs, stay for the deep exploration of trans experience in Scotland today, through three queered and reimagined selkies set in the past, present and future. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Kirsten Milliken, Bob Mitchell, Inés Álvarez Villa and musician Claire White. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 10:30am) A lot of classic fairy tales, especially well-known ones by the Brothers Grimm, have been heavily edited over the years by removing the grisliest details to make them more palatable. Join storyteller Anna Lehr to rediscover the original tales, explore the forgotten ones and work on your very own gruesome tale that will send shivers down your audience’s spine! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 25 Oct: 11am) Join storyteller Ailie Finlay for some sensory stories from the forests of the North. Big cosy bears in caves, tiny birds and the first snow of the year! We’ll learn all about heat and cold and have fun with lots of props to squish and shake. We’ll finish the session with a simple sensory craft activity. Fun for everyone but particularly suitable for children with additional needs and their families and friends.. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 25 Oct: 2pm) Hear some of the background inspirations and values of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, including the Andy Hunter Storytelling Bursary, the Earth Stories Collection and the work of the Scottish Storytelling Forum. A chance to also share your own aims and purposes in a networking space, bringing together performers and attendees who are interested in storytelling skills and sources, community projects and creative collaboration. This event will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 25 Oct: 4pm) Enjoy the future of European storytelling with 3 short performances in collaboration with FEST (Federation of European Storytelling). What’s the Difference? by Geoffrey van der Ven delves into the emotions of shame and personal isolation. (Not) Your Girl! by Winter de Cock weaves auto-fiction and myth, asking enduring questions of female objectification, agency and consent. Cassandra by Ailsa Dixon blends Greek myth, Scottish folklore and personal narrative into an exploration of prophecy, protest and survival. Come see the future! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 6pm) A dynamic group of storytellers reimagine the forgotten tale of St Enoch, mother of St Mungo, through the journeys of four women making their lives in Glasgow. Woven with myth, movement and lived experience, this contemporary performance is a love letter to a northern city and a celebration of resilience, homemaking and voice. With Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy, Isobel O’Donovan, Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett. Originally created for the Village Storytelling Festival 2024. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 8pm) Land of rivers, lochs and waterways, Scotland is a place where the signs of Cailleach, Bodach and Salmon still shimmer amidst the stones and shrines. Inspired by Scottish rivers, the stories they carry and their fragile eco-system, Eileen Budd and David McAlmont present a narrative blend of storytelling, songs and visual arts, with sound design and traditional rhythms from Debbie Armour. Includes Gaelic content, with translations for non-Gaelic speakers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 10:30am) Join Norwegian storyteller Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen in an immersive workshop where we will delve into the rich tradition of the Norse ‘skalds’ (bards) and their storytelling techniques. We will explore the poetic and narrative tools that skalds used to captivate their audiences and bring the stories from Norse mythology to life. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sun 26 Oct: 1:30pm) *Please note, this event is now held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 1:30pm, not at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh* This workshop, led by filmmaker Beatrix Wood, invites participants to be inspired by trees and wood through a series of playful, experimental and creative exercises to create a modern myth together. Extracts from Beatrix’s film Tim Stead: Magician with Wood will act as a catalyst, as well as some of Tim’s own poems. No prior skills or experience needed. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sun 26 Oct: 4pm) Deep in the woods of Kalevala, a voice rises. Old man Väinämöinen has been promised the lovely young Aino as his bride! He sings his joy, twice, three times. But his troubles have only begun. Journey into the northern forests with storyteller Linda Perttula and singer- songwriter Aino Elina as they combine teenage memories, ancient poetry and ethereal vocals in search for a connection to the Finnish epic. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 6pm) Tania Allan and Craig McCulloch share two haunting tales of captivity, silence and survival. Weaving together Selkie myths and Deaf history, they explore themes of oppression, abuse, environmental destruction and cultural erasure. Though rooted in the past, the stories still echo loudly today, and they both fight for freedom. Performed in British Sign Language, with spoken English interpretation. This session will include a short panel discussion as part of the 1hr event. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 8pm) As the nights draw in, come and hear tales from Shetland’s past. A collection of folktales and historical stories arching across the dark nights of Winter. From magical to factual and even funny, these stories have been gathered from the books and memories of Shetlanders. Told by storyteller and comedian Marjolein Robertson. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ As da nichts draa in, gadder aboot tae hear tales fae Shetland's past. A collection o folktales and history fae daggri tae dagalien ida dark nichts o Winter. Fae stories o magic, truth an humour. Aa o dem gaddered fae books and folk. Telt by storyteller and comedian Marjolein Robertson. Dis performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 27 Oct: 5pm) A first-ever Edinburgh screening for this documentary about innovative wood sculptor and furniture designer Tim Stead. The whole story of a man, a tree, a wood, a sculpted home and a legacy to be protected. Join director Beatrix Wood for a special screening and Q&A, and enjoy some of Tim’s original furniture in the Centre’s Cafe. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 27 Oct: 8pm) As darkness descends, join storyteller and musician Marion Kenny as she pays homage to her friend and mentor, the late Duncan Williamson, widely acknowledged as Scotland’s greatest ever storyteller. Marion will mesmerise and enchant as she shares Scottish folktales passed down by word of mouth, magically interweaving words with harp and flute. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 4pm) Swedish storyteller Jerker Fahlström shares traditional folktales from the forests of his native country and beyond. Be ready for a fun journey to the north, in company of one of Sweden’s leading storytellers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 6pm) Scottish place names and their origins are important. Join Dr Robert Fell to hear about the perspectives of Nackens (Scottish Gypsy Travellers) and how their folklore can give us unique insights into Scotland’s history and her place names. With special guest Shamus McPhee, who recounts a curious episode from Highland Perthshire that gave Balquhidder its name. Presented in memory of Scottish scholar Alan Bruford, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Celtic and Scottish Studies. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Grace Banks, Johan Sandberg McGuinne, Jackie Ross and musician Tom Oakes. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 10:30am) Discover the legacy of Vilmos Csipkés, one of Hungary’s last traditional Roma storytellers, led by Boglárka Klitsie-Szabad of the Hungarian Heritage House. Explore Csipkés’ rich repertoire of magical tales, religious stories, and humorous anecdotes through subtitled video excerpts and ethnographic insights. Learn about his performative techniques and storytelling contexts, documented using the performer-centered Budapest School method. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Wed 29 Oct: 4pm) Storyteller Hjörleifur Stefánsson shares tales from the spellbinding highlands of Iceland, where locals and Huldufólk (hidden people) live in harmony, most of the time. A chance to enjoy the company of one of Iceland’s leading storytellers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 6pm) Enjoy a flow of tales and songs with Scotland’s Travelling People, whose traditions have been gathered from all parts of Scotland. Go with the magic of Jess Smith, Jimmy Williamson and special guest David Pullar, as they explore the riches of Traveller heritage passed down to them through generations. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 8pm) Fresh from cèilidhs and story nights at the recently concluded Orkney Storytelling Festival, Nordic storytellers from Orkney, Iceland and Sweden gather once again to share more of their Viking adventures. With Tom Muir, Hjörleifur Stefánsson and Jerker Fahlström. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 30 Oct: 10:30am) Join Tania Allan and Emery Hunter to explore storytelling through both British Sign Language and English in this inclusive, creative workshop. You’ll learn how to develop expressive characters and bring your story to life using movement, facial expression, and voice. Perfect for beginners or those looking to build confidence in bilingual storytelling. Everyone welcome! Interpreters provided. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Thu 30 Oct: 6pm) Danish storyteller Svend-Erik Engh and Scottish musician Neil Sutcliffe present an original tale of a young woman setting out to create her own destiny in Viking times. Brought to life through storytelling and music, blending traditional and original pieces. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 30 Oct: 8pm) The music of the pioneering Scottish musician Martyn Bennett flowed with many inspirations, none more so than that of the Scottish Travellers. His final album Grit saw him draw upon the ballads and stories of the Travellers, famously sampling Sheila Stewart’s version of Ewan MacColl’s The Moving On Song to incredible effect. We celebrate Martyn’s love of Traveller culture, whilst also exploring his wide use of world music through the Hindu Kali myths, in an evening with friends of Martyn’s and those still being inspired by his legacy today. With James MacDonald Reid, Gauri Raje, Jess Smith and Gary West. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 Oct: 10:30am) Join us for a panel discussion and presentations about all things storytelling tech and touring. Storyteller Gauri Raje and Tech Engineer Roddy Simpson chat about how they brought these two very different worlds together and how you can too. Award- winning producer Kate Taylor joins the panel bringing her knowledge and expertise, and Emyr Bell from NEAT will give a presentation. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Fri 31 Oct: 6pm) What happens if we lose our wings and forget how to dance, sing or let our soul take flight? Is it possible to live between human time and wild time? Storytellers and musicians Anna-Maria Toivonen and Claire Hewitt, invite you to gather round the fire of inspiration as they share their unique Finnish- Scottish weaving of this magical transformation tale, Swan Woman. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 Oct: 7:30pm) A festival Samhuinn special of Edinburgh’s long-running storytelling night. Featuring guest storyteller Mara Menzies, who leads a session of spooky stories! With the usual chance to share a tale of your own. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Waverley Bar
(Fri 31 Oct: 8pm) Storyteller Anna Lehr presents a tale about death, birth and what lies ‘dazwischen’ (in between). This exploration of fear, grief and reconciliation is loosely based on the Brother’s Grimm fairy tale Godfather Death, German songs, poems and traditions, and will feature Death itself in puppet form joining Anna on stage. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 10:30am) Join us for a taboo-breaking workshop of storytelling, craft and honest conversation. In a safe, supportive environment, we will explore some traditional death stories then get hands-on, decorating a cardboard coffin and weaving a willow coffin with skilled artisans. This isn’t morbid, it’s liberating! Tackle fears, share experiences, and reclaim death as part of life’s natural rhythm. Led by storyteller, celebrant and death educator Beverley Bryant, this workshop transforms discomfort into understanding and isolation into community, offering new perspectives on life’s final chapter. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 1 Nov: 10:30am) Swedish storyteller and actor Jerker Fahlström leads us through the stages of analysing a text. Explore each character in your story: who they are, their role, and why they act the way they do. By the end, you’ll have a rich pool of insights to shape your narrative with depth and clarity. Please bring a story to work with, let’s get creative! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 1 Nov: 1:30pm) Join the Scottish Wildlife Trust and storyteller Allison Galbraith as we immerse ourselves in the magical, shimmering world of Scottish waters. We will explore the mythology, ecology and importance of rivers and waterways through Allison’s retelling of rare, watery Scottish legends. Then, we will celebrate storytellers of all ages who have captured the spirit and wonder of Scotland’s wildlife and wild places, as we announce the winners of the Words of the Wild nature writing competition. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 2pm) An open conversation with national and international guests about the networks and ideas that connect us. The networking strand at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival brings together performers and attendees who are interested in storytelling skills and sources, community projects and creative collaboration. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 1 Nov: 4pm) In the fourth century, a young woman steps onto a boat in Greece carrying the bones of a martyr. Triduana is part of a small group of missionaries determined to share the Christian faith by taking Saint Andrew’s bones ‘to the ends of the earth’. Her journey to the land of the Picts will take her across seas and rivers and through transformations of belief and body. Join Monica Madas and Erin Farley as they tell the story of Triduana’s voyage into unseen waters and mythologies through story, song and puppetry. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 6pm) Across Cumbria, roads wend their way through picturesque countryside. Ancient dry stone walls hold the stories of the dead that were carried past on these secret and haunted trails. The Corpse Road follows the rise and fall, the twists and turns of these paths to tell the tale of characters that were carried to their final resting place. Storyteller Daniel Serridge and musician Heather Cartwright weave stories and songs together in this evocative and unnerving folkloric journey to the grave. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end the festival! Featuring Dougie Mackay, Hjörleifur Stefánsson, Suse Weisse and musician Luisa Brown. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 2 Nov) This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Samhuinn story with their little ones through storytelling and music. Join us for a free morning of face painting and activities, followed by a ticketed session of storytelling and songs.. 10:30am face painting & activities, free and drop-in1pm storytelling session, ticketed below ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Wed 5 Nov: 7:30pm) The moon begins to form as the moon spinners wash their wool in the sea, winding it again into a white ball in the sky and re-creating the phases and cycles that guide our seasons, and our stories... ~~~~~ Join us for our quarterly series of full-moon celebrations, with live storytelling, music and a rotating programme of incredible performers. Following the Celtic Wheel of the Year (the quarterly seasons of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain) we look forward to moon myths, lunar legends and cross-cultural stories, revealing themes of creation, fertility, cosmic joy, transformation, death and rebirth. For our November session we welcome you under the full Beaver Moon with another exciting lineup of storytellers, this month featuring Bea Ferguson, Selina Graham and Heather Yule, with Claire McNicol and Linda Williamson. ~~~~~ Moonspinners events will follow two distinct phases, with the first half of performance in the Netherbow Theatre, followed by a social and conversational flow upstairs in the Storytelling Court with a chance to digest and discuss the stories amongst friends old and new. Mark it in your diary, or just follow the moon to guide you here! ~~~~~ Image credit: Hester Aspland
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 6 Nov: 7:30pm) Over 50% of people in prison are thought to be neurodivergent. This creates additional challenges in an already high-stress environment, with lack of diagnosis only aggravating the issue. For Shug, after decades of addiction, life finally feels like it’s going in the right direction. But when a new and unpredictable cellmate, Kai, moves in, Shug’s carefully constructed new sense of self threatens to fall apart. Combining the experiences of Scottish Prisoners with the author's own experience of living with undiagnosed ADHD/Autism, 'Mind of Man' is a play about the struggle to claim your place in the world when you and the people around you can’t understand what’s going on inside your brain. Emerging from The University of Edinburgh’s major REALITIES research programme, addressing health disparities across Scotland, 'Mind of Man' makes a powerful challenge to prisoners, policy makers and the wider public. This debut performance will be followed by a panel discussion. Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 8-Sun 22 Nov) The exhibition is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Amongst other images both photographic and artistic, it will include portraits of the women with the opportunity to explore some of their memories and stories through written story, materials and objects. Jill de Fresnes is a creative photographer and filmmaker, researcher and educationalist with over 25 years'experience in heritage and community engagement, particularly in Scotland’s coastal fishing communities. Her work blends oral history and multimedia storytelling to turn lived experiences into lasting cultural legacies, with the voices from these communities front and foremost in telling their stories to a wider audience.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 8 Nov: 7:30pm) Join Jill de Fresnes and Christine Kydd with guests, to celebrate the launch of the Silver, Salt and Stories exhibition running at the Scottish Storytelling Centre during November. Jill and Christine will perform an hour of song and music, interspersed with film clips of memories and stories from interviews collected from women who worked as herring gutters between 1920 and 1960. The exhibition is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Amongst other images both photographic and artistic, it will include portraits of the women with the opportunity to explore some of their memories and stories through written story, materials and objects. ~~~~~ Jill de Fresnes is a creative photographer and filmmaker, researcher and educationalist with over 25 years'experience in heritage and community engagement, particularly in Scotland’s coastal fishing communities. Her work blends oral history and multimedia storytelling to turn lived experiences into lasting cultural legacies, with the voices from these communities front and foremost in telling their stories to a wider audience. A veteran of the folk world, Christine Kydd grew up musically in the vibrant Edinburgh scene. Her career has offered her great variety, where she has not only worked solo, with the finest of players (musicians who now feature in top groups including Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin’ Fiddles, Shooglenifty) but also in highly-acclaimed groundbreaking projects, such as her extensive touring and recording work with Janet Russell; in Chantan with Elspeth Cowie and Corinna Hewat and in Calluna with Charlotte Peterson, Rebecca Knorr and Anna Wendy Stevenson.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 9 Nov: 12pm - 3pm) Musicians Claire Gullan and Kirstie McLanaghan return to host another fantastic TAM Session, the collaborative project that combines two of their passions - playing Trad music and Arts & Crafting. This session is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The TAM Sessions is an open and informal trad session, but with the lovely additional invitation to bring your sewing, knitting, crochet, or any other crafting project that you enjoy. Being able to play an instrument is not a pre-requisite and we welcome non-musicians to enjoy the tunes while they craft. In the same vein, please come along for a tune even if you don’t craft. Everyone is welcome! The driving factor behind this project is joy. A joyful experience has a direct, positive impact on our mental health. Community building through creative arts also creates a real sense of belonging and connectedness. Proficiency is not important, just come along and enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 11 Nov: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories, held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 12 Nov: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for a series of regular open-floor storytelling nights taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales! Hiring fairs were traditionally held at Martinmas – bring us stories of work, magical service, prisoners or apprentices. What would you give a year and a day to accomplish?
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 14 Nov: 7pm) A monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh, full of stories, songs, music, dance and good cràic! Each month a variety of performers will entertain, alongside the usual space for conversation and friendship. Bothan Dhùn Èideann are a not-for-profit group, active for over 21 years, promoting and developing Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Edinburgh and creating space where everyone, no matter their background, feels comfortable celebrating Gaelic in Edinburgh. These events are presented in Gaelic throughout and all are welcome whether fluent speakers, learners or somewhere in between. Bothan Dhùn Èideann is funded and in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov: 10:30am) A hands-on, practical introduction to live storytelling and the associated skills across two days of workshops and presentations. Day 1 is led by storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick and Day 2 is led by storyteller and National Development Officer Joanne Urwin. For new and aspiring storytellers. ~~~~~~~~~~ Presented by the Scottish Storytelling Forum these participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 8 Nov: 7:30pm) A Wheen o’ Wimmin present Singing Our Stories, featuring five celebrated Scots singers who’ve shared many a stage both great and small. Born into a musical Perthshire family, Aileen Carr has been performing since the early 1970s in the UK and abroad; solo and with the bands Lang Johnny More and Ceolbeg, the popular unaccompanied group Palaver and, more recently, with Barbara Dymock and Janice Reavell in the a cappella trio Choras. She is a former chair of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland and was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2023. Lanarkshire-born Elspeth Cowie’s singing story began with winning a school Burns prize. In the early 1970s she sang rock in Glasgow but soon returned to the tradition in Aberdeen, learning much from Lizzie Higgins. In Edinburgh, she joined the band Seannachie then formed Chantan with Christine Kydd and Corrina Hewat. Elspeth was National Organiser of the TMSA for five years, and has two solo, three band and several compilation albums to her credit. Barbara Dymock learned songs as a child from her grandparents. She made her first foray into performing aged 19 with the newly-formed band Ceolbeg and a cappella trio Fair Game. After a long break to raise a family and pursue a medical career, she returned to sing with Rathlin, Fon a Bhord, Sinsheen, and The Barbara Dymock Band. She is currently in a duo with Chris Marra, and the trio Choras with Janice Reavell & Aileen Carr. She has 2 solo albums. Amy Lord grew in a musical Dunblane family then studied Scots song at the-then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under the inspirational tutelage of some of Scotland’s best. For nearly 20 years, she has led singing groups like The Liltin Lassies, conducted workshops, taught Scots song and language in schools and performed at festivals and folk clubs. Of Folk Revival vintage, Chris Miles has sung since childhood. A floor spot at Kirkcaldy FC in 1985 brought her to attention and she rapidly became a well-regarded trad singer, winning many silver cups in the 1980s. In 1990, she began a 20-year partnership with Gordeanna McCulloch, and in 1991, they formed Palaver with Aileen Carr and Maureen Jelks. Chris still performs, including a five-week 2022 US tour, with her guitarist partner Gearaidh Matthews. This event is supported by the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland and the North Atlantic Song Convention.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 21 Nov: 7:30pm) With her breathtaking vocals, this emerging voice on the world folk stage engages us with today’s big challenges such as migration, climate change and civil war as well as more personal experiences of loneliness, hope and interconnection. In this unique concert, Susanna Orr Holland and facilitator Chris Booth, inspired by Joanna Macy, will create space for the audience to react, whether with humour or grief, to what they hear in her songs. “I pour my own emotional responses into my songs about issues which we need to look at head-on and I hope that they can help other people do that and onwards to understanding and action” says Susanna. “A big theme is connection – we are all connected, these issues are all connected, but many people feel unconnected and alone when confronting them. We’re going to try to change this and hopefully create a shared sense of momentum in response” Edinburgh-based Susanna Orr Holland’s unique style weaves a mix of influences from British and Irish folk song to Indian and Persian vocal techniques. Accompanying herself on guitar and Indian harmonium, her talented band assembled specially for this unmissable performance will feature the multi-instrumentalist Chris Lyons (Blue Giant Orkestar) on bayan accordion, oud and double bass the inspired Tom Adams on violin (Orkestra del Sol) and experimental Tim Lane on drums (Hidden Orkestra).
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 22 Nov: 10:30am) To accompany the launch of Susanna Orr Holland’s new album Return of the Swallows, Chris Booth will offer a Work That Reconnects workshop. The multiple existential threats to our world seem worse every time we look at the news: species going extinct, rising war and authoritarianism, ice caps melting at an unprecedented rate, the industrial growth economy spiralling out of control. The temptation is either to sink into despair or to hide away and pretend it’s not real! How can we face the mess we’re in with resilience and creative power? Based on the work of Joanna Macy, the Work That Reconnects is an inspiring, interactive group process for anyone who longs to engage in the healing of our world, and to build deep connection with our human and other-than-human communities. An experienced facilitator of the Work That Reconnects, with lifelong experience in the peace and environmental movements, Chris is passionate about addressing the causes of conflict, injustice, suffering, and environmental damage, and building radical communities to sustain us in this work. The workshop offer structured practices and use Susanna’s music to explore gratitude, joy, grief, and active hope in a safe space.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Fri 28 Nov: 7:30pm) Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Featuring a different host every month and a guest storyteller to be announced. Supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Wed 3 Dec: 7pm) Nights are growing long and dark. Cold nips the air. It’s time to braid our evergreen circle - time to join the Burgh Blatherers for their Winter Warmer. Members of Edinburgh's own storytelling club present a heartfelt season finale to their year of storytelling ceilidhs and fan the embers of the year into flame of warming cheer and conviviality. Sit back and enjoy!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 17 Dec: 7:30pm) Come and enjoy live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where the amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore a different theme with every performance. Hosted by Janis Mackay and featuring a host of new storytelling voices.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 20 Dec - Tue 23 Dec: 11am & 2pm) It’s time to shout “Oh yes it is!” because Macastory are bringing their Panto for wee ones and big ones back to the Scottish Storytelling Centre – and you’re invited! Join Cinderella, her nasty sister and her even nastier Stepmother, along with a cast of colourful characters in a laugh-out-loud, family-friendly show filled with songs, silliness, and plenty of chances for the audience to join in the fun. Be part of the magic – cheer for Cinders, boo the baddies, and help make sure that Cinders gets home from the ball before the clock strikes midnight! Grab your tickets fast! And don’t forget to wear your best shoes! Specially designed by Macastory as a lovely introduction to Pantomime.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 26 Jul-Sun 21 Sep) Internationally acclaimed Scottish artist Moy Mackay invites storytellers, songwriters and poets from her local community in the Scottish Borders to respond to new felt paintings of extraordinary colour and texture. The personal and emotive responses to visual artworks creates a symbiotic relationship between artist and writer. Moy Mackay is an award-winning Scottish artist, gallery-owner, author and educator. Born in Edinburgh, she lives and works in Traquair in the Tweed Valley where her work is often influenced and inspired by the natural beauty and seasonal colour of the surrounding landscape.
Scottish Storytelling Centre Fringe
Storytelling Court
(Sat 30 Aug-Sun 21 Sep) In the UK, we have public healthcare, public transport, public libraries — even public Wi-Fi. So why not public diners? This exhibition uncovers the forgotten history of state-supported restaurants in the UK, and current international examples of public dining. Public diners are state-supported restaurants that sit alongside other core public infrastructure. They’re everyday eating places serving good food at prices everyone can afford. During the Second World War and into the 1960s, the UK had a national network of over 2,000 public diners — including 90 in Scotland and 15 in Edinburgh. Around the world today, governments are investing in their own versions of public diners. Created by Nourish Scotland and 60 community researchers, this exhibition asks the question: at a time of rising food costs and hectic modern lives, could public diners make a comeback and be a solution we all crave? www.publicdiners.org
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 13 Sep: 7pm & Sun 14 Sep: 2pm) The Invaders’ Fear of Memories is a theatre piece based on the life and diaries of Yosef Nachmani - a Russian Jew who migrated from Tsarist Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. Nachmani became Director of the Jewish National Fund in the Galilee and subsequently played a central role in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine’s indigenous people. The play offers a perspective into the origins of settler-colonialism and apartheid in modern-day Israel, exploring themes of loyalty, violence, ideology, and grief. Performed by Ben Rivers, the great grandson of Nachmani, embodying 12 characters over the course of the play and singing in Arabic, Hebrew, Ukrainian, and Yiddish. Featuring guest actor Tam Dean Burn. Directed by Linda Wise, an original member of the iconic Roy Hart Theatre Company. Since August 2023, The Invaders’ Fear of Memories has been performed to audiences in Australia, France, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA. Trailer ~~~~~ Both performances will be followed by a moderated discussion featuring the panellists below. Moderator: Omar Shamma Saturday Evening Panel: Prof Donald Bloxham (Professor of Modern History, Genocide Studies, University of Edinburgh) Dr Shaira Vadasaria (Lecturer in Race and Decolonial Studies, University of Edinburgh) Sunday Matinee panel: Prof Nida Alahmad (Senior Lecturer of Politics and International Relations of the Middle East, University of Edinburgh) Livnat Konopny-Decleve (British Academy International Fellow, University of Edinburgh)
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 18 Sep: 7:30pm) *This event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for 2026. All ticket holders will be contacted directly.* Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry. Steeped in the traditions of Scottish storytelling, we evoke the warm atmosphere of peat-smoked hearthsides and ceilidh house revelry, presenting timeless motifs relevant to a discerning modern audience. Join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotland’s finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each bi-monthly Hearth Fire Session to create an innovative showcase of Scotland’s contemporary culture. ~~~~~ Dougie Mackay hails from the Scottish Highlands, from a lineage of natural storytellers. He is fascinated by the wild northern tales of Scotland, Scandinavia, Ireland and the Baltics, with a practice steeped in group-work facilitation and storytelling as a tool for development, connection and empowerment. He has been telling stories professionally for over 10 years and has developed successful long-form shows including Animate Lands and A Wolf Shall Devour the Sun. He co-curates and hosts Hearth Fire Sessions throughout the year.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 20 Sep: 10:30am) Storytellers Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett from the Village Storytelling Centre explore their experience of working with community groups in Glasgow, using applied storytelling skills in community development work. Learn how storytelling can impact people’s wellbeing, social connections and creative skills, and how storytelling can be used as a catalyst for social change. ~~~~~~~~~~ Presented by the Scottish Storytelling Forum these participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Tue 23 Sep: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories, held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 26 Sep: 7:30pm) Wanderers, wayfarers and travellers, pilgrims, rebels and vagabonds have all taken to the roads to seek a path to something elsewhere. Guest storyteller Owen Pilgrim shares stories from his own personal experience as well as folktales, poetry and song about being on the road. Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. ~~~~~ Originally from Canada, Owen Pilgrim has lived and worked in Scotland for many years where he is a celebrated woodcrafter and storyteller. He also runs Telltale Tea Company, which specialises in tea blends named after traditional stories from somewhere in the world. Supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Sat 27 Sep-Wed 5 Nov) This stunning collection of ink illustrations and ceramics by emerging artist Hester Aspland draws lines between traditional stories and wild places. Atmospheric, observational landscape studies and explorations into folklore and fairy tales inform detailed, textural works which blend inspiration from the Golden Age of Illustration with a contemporary focus on the connections between women and nature. Book illustrations for projects working with the stories of Duncan Williamson and Tom Muir are shown alongside other evocative works traversing the landscapes and stories of Scotland, Iceland, Ireland and the Faroe Islands. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 27 Sep: 10:30am) In this two-part development day, artists will be able to investigate some very important aspects of being a musician. Shameless or not, some kind of self-promotion is necessary! The first half of the workshop will consider such questions as:● Why and how to promote?● What is my music?● Who am I making it for?● What do I want to get out of my practice?● How do I describe my music?● Do I need an ‘artist’ name?● Is branding for me? Participants will take a look at who they are as an artist, how they promote themselves, what they want to achieve, an understanding of a good biography, and a plan for next steps. Touring is considered to be a vital part of being a musician, so the latter half of the workshop will cover:● Whether and when to tour● How to get the most out of it● Practical steps such as how to build contacts, approach promoters, negotiate fees and costs, advance shows, and promoting your tour● Agents, press support, and funding The workshop will include practical exercises such as writing a pitch to programmers, and some things to consider if you are considering applying for funding. Participants should leave with a clearer sense of when and how to go about building and delivering a tour, and how to make touring work best for you. Suitable for new musicians working out who they are, what they do and what direction they are headed, as well as established artists who wish to improve, reflect on or change their current direction or image. ~~~~~ Katch Holmes has worked in the music industry in Scotland for 25 years. She has represented artists, commissioned new music, produced residencies and promoted gigs with folk and crossover music acts through her company Off Site Productions. She organises Knockengorroch roots music festival in Dumfries and Galloway. She sat on WOMEX selection panels in 2021 and 2017 and is a Relational Dynamics business coach working with professional creatives. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 27 Sep: 7:30pm & Sun 28 Sep: 3pm) I didn’t ask to be born amongst all those paintings, but like it or not, I had to deal with the collection. A young man stands in front of us, trying to persuade us to fund a museum to honour his uncle. He is visibly uncomfortable: he wasn’t meant to be giving this presentation. It was supposed to be Jo, his mother. When Vincent van Gogh dies at the age of thirty-seven, shortly followed by his brother Theo, it is left to Theo’s widow Jo to carry on his legacy. Thanks to Jo and her son Vincent Willem the painter of Sunflowers is one of the most beloved artists in the world. Through the words of the artist, his brother, his sister-in-law and nephew, discover the genius that the world almost forgot… Written by Rebekah King, performed by Philip Kingscott and produced by Peapod Productions.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 29 Sep, Mon 13 Oct, Mon 10 Nov, Mon 24 Nov & Mon 8 Dec: 7pm) Join us for fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling, award-winning poetry! Loud Poets invite poets to share their work at their regular open mic, now taking place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court. All styles of poetry are welcome and with a different feature performer every time, this event offers a supportive, creative environment for all. Doors will open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start with a twenty-minute interval at around 8pm, wrapping up around 9.30pm. Loud Poets will be managing sign-ups. To sign up to perform, please fill out the sign-up form for the date on which you'd like to perform. This form will close one week before the event, after which they will email you to let you know if you have a guaranteed performance spot. Two spots are always left open to be filled by random draw from poets who sign up on the door. Slots are five minutes and poets are welcome to perform as many or few poems as you would like within that time. You are welcome to go under the five minutes, but please do not go over out of respect to your fellow performers. A message from Loud Poets about this event:"At our open mic and all of our events, we endeavour to create a safe, welcoming space for all to attend and share their work. We ask performers to be respectful of the diversity of our experiences. We do not tolerate any forms of discrimination and harassment. Don't punch down. Performers and attendees who violate this policy will be asked to leave." The Loud Poets Open Mic is organised by I Am Loud CIC. It is produced and hosted by Mark Gallie.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 1 Oct: 7:30pm) Come and enjoy live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where the amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore a different theme with every performance. Hosted by Janis Mackay and featuring a host of new storytelling voices.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 3 Oct: 7:15pm) A monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh, full of stories, songs, music, dance and good cràic! Each month a variety of performers will entertain, alongside the usual space for conversation and friendship. October's session will feature Dòmhnall Eòghainn MacKinnon, Josie Duncan and Gillebride Mac IlleMhaoil with Mike Bryan, hosted by Evie Waddell. Bothan Dhùn Èideann are a not-for-profit group, active for over 21 years, promoting and developing Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Edinburgh and creating space where everyone, no matter their background, feels comfortable celebrating Gaelic in Edinburgh. These events are presented in Gaelic throughout and all are welcome whether fluent speakers, learners or somewhere in between. Bothan Dhùn Èideann is funded and in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 4 Oct: 10:30am) Being a freelance traditional musician means juggling creative work with financial realities - from budgeting for projects to navigating funding applications and managing your day-to-day income. In this practical workshop, Ailie Robertson will demystify the funding landscape and share tools and strategies to help you take control of your finances, build sustainability into your career, and approach funding applications with clarity and confidence. ~~~~~~~~~~ Ailie Robertson has a multi-faceted career combining work as a performer, composer, researcher and educator. She has worked on projects with an array of organisations both in Scotland and internationally, and enjoys helping other creatives bring their ideas to life. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 4 Oct: 2:30pm) Join multi-instrumentalist and producer Tom Oakes for a practical workshop on recording and releasing your music, from initial concept to final release.This workshop will guide you through each stage of the process, highlighting where you can save money, where it pays to invest, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Tom will share insightful and helpful tips, and examples of what works (and what doesn’t), helping you navigate your own recording project with greater confidence and clarity. ~~~~~ 2019 Scots Trad Awards ‘Musician of the Year’ nominee Tom Oakes is one of the UK’s top flautists and multi-instrumentalists, as well as a sound designer, composer, producer, educator and label owner. Tom is known widely for his work with Shetland fiddler Ross Couper, genre-bending pan-Finnish act The Auvo Quartet, Scottish power trio OBT, and a new project with Scottish multi-instrumentalist Ali Hutton and award-winning London-Irish fiddler Matt Tighe, as well as his increasing profile as a solo performer. His album Water Street (2022) received global airplay and was longlisted for the 2022 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, while his solo show The Hearth premiered at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe and was shortlisted for ‘Best New Work’ at the 2023 awards. This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org. This workshop programme is supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Thu 9 Oct: 7:30pm) Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers from a diverse range of backgrounds, ages and cultures around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of true and fictional stories across the year is as varied as the range of storytellers invited. Household names feature alongside new and diverse queer storytellers from the different communities of Scotland. Many of the stories told in the Queer Folks' Tales evenings will be true stories of LGBTQ+ experience in Scotland today. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali. ~~~~~ Turan Ali has been a producer, director and writer of BBC radio dramas and comedies for over 20 years. He’s been a stage storyteller since 2012, and a stand up since 2021. He tours internationally and has two sell out monthly storytelling shows in Vienna. Turan is the creator, producer and host of Queer Folks’ Tales for which he won the Creative Edinburgh Leadership Award 2024. QFT now tours across Scotland and is Creative Scotland funded. ★★★★★ 'Edinburgh's most vibrant, authentic and exciting storytelling event' (The Wee Review)★★★★★ 'Utterly fabulous' (TheQR.co.uk)★★★★★ (BroadwayBaby.com) Queer Folks' Tales is supported by Creative Scotland
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 11 & Sun 12 Oct: 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm - Scottish Storytelling Centre) Step into a soft, sensory storytelling experience, following the incredible journey of the Painted Lady Butterfly. Every year she travels 9000 miles all over the world ensuring the survival of her entire species. Impossible to complete alone, the journey happens across five generations. Through puppetry, participation and play, Fibi Cowley shows us what we can learn from this incredible creature, and how past generations can inspire us to make the world a better place. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
George Mackay Brown Library
(Wed 15 Oct: 2pm) Prepare to become a Skald, a Viking poet storyteller. Join storytellers extraordinaire Macastory for a daring adventure... YOURS! With Macastory’s help, create your own mini-saga, learn it and tell it in the style of the ancient Viking Skalds. Prepare for sea monsters, battles and even a visit from the gods. Cast the mystical story runes, then it’s up to you what happens next! ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Fri 17 Oct: 2pm) A girl faces a dragon. Songs and stories are her weapons and her armour. Join storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown for a magical tale about courage and dreams. This performance brings together tales and tunes from Lithuania and Scotland, with live music from Gaynor Barradell. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 18 Oct: 2pm) What makes a good story...?! Join storyteller Nicola Wright for cliffhangers, love stories and rags-to-riches tales, bringing 900 years of Edinburgh’s history vividly to life through the eyes of young people. Stories so wild you cannot make them up! For young people (and their adults) with an ear for a story! Supported by the City of Edinburgh Council 900 fund. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
George Mackay Brown Library
(Sat 18 Oct: 6:45pm) BLOOM is a dance performance and personal story from Tokyo-born, Scotland based Percussive Step Dancer Kae Sakurai. This lyrical and innovative work blends expressive percussive dance with original music inspired by tradition, complemented by poetic video projections. BLOOM will delight, refresh and inspire. After the show join us for a fun-filled evening of Ceilidh dancing, a lively Scottish tradition perfect for all ages and abilities! No experience? No problem! Our friendly caller will guide you through the steps, ensuring everyone feels confident and ready to dance. Running orderPerformance 35minInterval 30minsCeilidh: 45 mins ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A PassFunded by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 19 Oct: 1pm) Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Cèilidh Band. All dances will be called and there’ll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Wed 22 Oct: 6pm) A mythical journey through the celestial origin stories of the Fenno-Baltic tradition, told by Finnish-born storyteller Riikka Palonen, accompanied by folk musician Richard Clarke. Modern science tells us we were born from stardust, but how did the ancient people in the north know that? Elemental tales like these remind us that we share this planet, alongside bears, cranes and wolves, but who told the first stories? This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 22 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Beverley Bryant, Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen and Colin Urwin, with musician Marit Fält. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 23 Oct: 10:30am) Scotland’s storytelling tradition has been nurtured by decades of fieldwork by folklorists, capturing the wealth of our intangible cultural heritage and bridging the gap between the past, present, and future. In this engaging and hands-on workshop, storytellers will learn how to explore, interpret, and creatively incorporate sound archives and field recordings into their craft. We’ll also delve into ethical considerations for sourcing and acknowledging materials, honouring the voices of our forebears with respect and care, ensuring the tradition thrives for generations to come. With TRACS CEO Steve Byrne. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Thu 23 Oct: 6pm) The old stories tell us there is one place on Earth where the birds laid down their wings in peace - yet the real battle rages on, the endless war against forgetting. Storyteller Mark Borthwick weaves traditional and electronic music together with full-blooded stories of the old world to transport us to the shores of a new one, where stories are currency, and memory is home. An exploration of postwar migrations, family histories lost to time, and the stories which made us all that we are, a long time ago. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 23 Oct: 8pm) Inspired by David Thomson’s remarkable work The People of the Sea, storytellers Ruth Kirkpatrick and Colin Urwin bring selkie myths and coastal voices back to life. Both tender and brutal, Thomson’s collection of seal folklore and folktales from the coasts of Scotland and Ireland captures the mythic bond between people and nature, acting as a quiet yet powerful homage to a disappearing world. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 10:30am) Storytellers working with musicians is a well-ploughed furrow, but little exploration has been done around the innate musicality of storytellers when talking. Storyteller Daniel Serridge and musician Neil Wood discuss how your telling changes and grows when working in tandem with a musician, exploring pace, rhythm and atmosphere. Everyone is musicking! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Fri 24 Oct: 4pm) Norwegian storytellers Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen and Georgiana Keable Jerstad share tales of trolls, hens and strange husbands. A chance to enjoy the company of two of Norway’s leading storytellers, also celebrating the launch of Georgiana’s new collection Norwegian Folk Tales (The History Press). ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 6pm) Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon present an evocative and moving exploration of what it is to be human, as they lyrically synthesise storytelling with live music and Orcadian folk song. Come for the music, stories and songs, stay for the deep exploration of trans experience in Scotland today, through three queered and reimagined selkies set in the past, present and future. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 24 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Kirsten Milliken, Bob Mitchell, Inés Álvarez Villa and musician Claire White. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 10:30am) A lot of classic fairy tales, especially well-known ones by the Brothers Grimm, have been heavily edited over the years by removing the grisliest details to make them more palatable. Join storyteller Anna Lehr to rediscover the original tales, explore the forgotten ones and work on your very own gruesome tale that will send shivers down your audience’s spine! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 25 Oct: 11am) Join storyteller Ailie Finlay for some sensory stories from the forests of the North. Big cosy bears in caves, tiny birds and the first snow of the year! We’ll learn all about heat and cold and have fun with lots of props to squish and shake. We’ll finish the session with a simple sensory craft activity. Fun for everyone but particularly suitable for children with additional needs and their families and friends.. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 25 Oct: 2pm) Hear some of the background inspirations and values of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, including the Andy Hunter Storytelling Bursary, the Earth Stories Collection and the work of the Scottish Storytelling Forum. A chance to also share your own aims and purposes in a networking space, bringing together performers and attendees who are interested in storytelling skills and sources, community projects and creative collaboration. This event will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 25 Oct: 4pm) Enjoy the future of European storytelling with 3 short performances in collaboration with FEST (Federation of European Storytelling). What’s the Difference? by Geoffrey van der Ven delves into the emotions of shame and personal isolation. (Not) Your Girl! by Winter de Cock weaves auto-fiction and myth, asking enduring questions of female objectification, agency and consent. Cassandra by Ailsa Dixon blends Greek myth, Scottish folklore and personal narrative into an exploration of prophecy, protest and survival. Come see the future! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 6pm) A dynamic group of storytellers reimagine the forgotten tale of St Enoch, mother of St Mungo, through the journeys of four women making their lives in Glasgow. Woven with myth, movement and lived experience, this contemporary performance is a love letter to a northern city and a celebration of resilience, homemaking and voice. With Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy, Isobel O’Donovan, Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett. Originally created for the Village Storytelling Festival 2024. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 25 Oct: 8pm) Land of rivers, lochs and waterways, Scotland is a place where the signs of Cailleach, Bodach and Salmon still shimmer amidst the stones and shrines. Inspired by Scottish rivers, the stories they carry and their fragile eco-system, Eileen Budd and David McAlmont present a narrative blend of storytelling, songs and visual arts, with sound design and traditional rhythms from Debbie Armour. Includes Gaelic content, with translations for non-Gaelic speakers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 10:30am) Join Norwegian storyteller Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen in an immersive workshop where we will delve into the rich tradition of the Norse ‘skalds’ (bards) and their storytelling techniques. We will explore the poetic and narrative tools that skalds used to captivate their audiences and bring the stories from Norse mythology to life. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sun 26 Oct: 1:30pm) *Please note, this event is now held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 1:30pm, not at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh* This workshop, led by filmmaker Beatrix Wood, invites participants to be inspired by trees and wood through a series of playful, experimental and creative exercises to create a modern myth together. Extracts from Beatrix’s film Tim Stead: Magician with Wood will act as a catalyst, as well as some of Tim’s own poems. No prior skills or experience needed. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sun 26 Oct: 4pm) Deep in the woods of Kalevala, a voice rises. Old man Väinämöinen has been promised the lovely young Aino as his bride! He sings his joy, twice, three times. But his troubles have only begun. Journey into the northern forests with storyteller Linda Perttula and singer- songwriter Aino Elina as they combine teenage memories, ancient poetry and ethereal vocals in search for a connection to the Finnish epic. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 6pm) Tania Allan and Craig McCulloch share two haunting tales of captivity, silence and survival. Weaving together Selkie myths and Deaf history, they explore themes of oppression, abuse, environmental destruction and cultural erasure. Though rooted in the past, the stories still echo loudly today, and they both fight for freedom. Performed in British Sign Language, with spoken English interpretation. This session will include a short panel discussion as part of the 1hr event. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 26 Oct: 8pm) As the nights draw in, come and hear tales from Shetland’s past. A collection of folktales and historical stories arching across the dark nights of Winter. From magical to factual and even funny, these stories have been gathered from the books and memories of Shetlanders. Told by storyteller and comedian Marjolein Robertson. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ As da nichts draa in, gadder aboot tae hear tales fae Shetland's past. A collection o folktales and history fae daggri tae dagalien ida dark nichts o Winter. Fae stories o magic, truth an humour. Aa o dem gaddered fae books and folk. Telt by storyteller and comedian Marjolein Robertson. Dis performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 27 Oct: 5pm) A first-ever Edinburgh screening for this documentary about innovative wood sculptor and furniture designer Tim Stead. The whole story of a man, a tree, a wood, a sculpted home and a legacy to be protected. Join director Beatrix Wood for a special screening and Q&A, and enjoy some of Tim’s original furniture in the Centre’s Cafe. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Mon 27 Oct: 8pm) As darkness descends, join storyteller and musician Marion Kenny as she pays homage to her friend and mentor, the late Duncan Williamson, widely acknowledged as Scotland’s greatest ever storyteller. Marion will mesmerise and enchant as she shares Scottish folktales passed down by word of mouth, magically interweaving words with harp and flute. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 4pm) Swedish storyteller Jerker Fahlström shares traditional folktales from the forests of his native country and beyond. Be ready for a fun journey to the north, in company of one of Sweden’s leading storytellers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 6pm) Scottish place names and their origins are important. Join Dr Robert Fell to hear about the perspectives of Nackens (Scottish Gypsy Travellers) and how their folklore can give us unique insights into Scotland’s history and her place names. With special guest Shamus McPhee, who recounts a curious episode from Highland Perthshire that gave Balquhidder its name. Presented in memory of Scottish scholar Alan Bruford, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Celtic and Scottish Studies. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Tue 28 Oct: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end your day! Featuring Grace Banks, Johan Sandberg McGuinne, Jackie Ross and musician Tom Oakes. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 10:30am) Discover the legacy of Vilmos Csipkés, one of Hungary’s last traditional Roma storytellers, led by Boglárka Klitsie-Szabad of the Hungarian Heritage House. Explore Csipkés’ rich repertoire of magical tales, religious stories, and humorous anecdotes through subtitled video excerpts and ethnographic insights. Learn about his performative techniques and storytelling contexts, documented using the performer-centered Budapest School method. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Wed 29 Oct: 4pm) Storyteller Hjörleifur Stefánsson shares tales from the spellbinding highlands of Iceland, where locals and Huldufólk (hidden people) live in harmony, most of the time. A chance to enjoy the company of one of Iceland’s leading storytellers. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 6pm) Enjoy a flow of tales and songs with Scotland’s Travelling People, whose traditions have been gathered from all parts of Scotland. Go with the magic of Jess Smith, Jimmy Williamson and special guest David Pullar, as they explore the riches of Traveller heritage passed down to them through generations. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Wed 29 Oct: 8pm) Fresh from cèilidhs and story nights at the recently concluded Orkney Storytelling Festival, Nordic storytellers from Orkney, Iceland and Sweden gather once again to share more of their Viking adventures. With Tom Muir, Hjörleifur Stefánsson and Jerker Fahlström. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 30 Oct: 10:30am) Join Tania Allan and Emery Hunter to explore storytelling through both British Sign Language and English in this inclusive, creative workshop. You’ll learn how to develop expressive characters and bring your story to life using movement, facial expression, and voice. Perfect for beginners or those looking to build confidence in bilingual storytelling. Everyone welcome! Interpreters provided. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Thu 30 Oct: 6pm) Danish storyteller Svend-Erik Engh and Scottish musician Neil Sutcliffe present an original tale of a young woman setting out to create her own destiny in Viking times. Brought to life through storytelling and music, blending traditional and original pieces. This performance will be interpreted in British Sign Language. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 30 Oct: 8pm) The music of the pioneering Scottish musician Martyn Bennett flowed with many inspirations, none more so than that of the Scottish Travellers. His final album Grit saw him draw upon the ballads and stories of the Travellers, famously sampling Sheila Stewart’s version of Ewan MacColl’s The Moving On Song to incredible effect. We celebrate Martyn’s love of Traveller culture, whilst also exploring his wide use of world music through the Hindu Kali myths, in an evening with friends of Martyn’s and those still being inspired by his legacy today. With James MacDonald Reid, Gauri Raje, Jess Smith and Gary West. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 Oct: 10:30am) Join us for a panel discussion and presentations about all things storytelling tech and touring. Storyteller Gauri Raje and Tech Engineer Roddy Simpson chat about how they brought these two very different worlds together and how you can too. Award- winning producer Kate Taylor joins the panel bringing her knowledge and expertise, and Emyr Bell from NEAT will give a presentation. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Fri 31 Oct: 6pm) What happens if we lose our wings and forget how to dance, sing or let our soul take flight? Is it possible to live between human time and wild time? Storytellers and musicians Anna-Maria Toivonen and Claire Hewitt, invite you to gather round the fire of inspiration as they share their unique Finnish- Scottish weaving of this magical transformation tale, Swan Woman. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 31 Oct: 7:30pm) A festival Samhuinn special of Edinburgh’s long-running storytelling night. Featuring guest storyteller Mara Menzies, who leads a session of spooky stories! With the usual chance to share a tale of your own. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Waverley Bar
(Fri 31 Oct: 8pm) Storyteller Anna Lehr presents a tale about death, birth and what lies ‘dazwischen’ (in between). This exploration of fear, grief and reconciliation is loosely based on the Brother’s Grimm fairy tale Godfather Death, German songs, poems and traditions, and will feature Death itself in puppet form joining Anna on stage. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 10:30am) Join us for a taboo-breaking workshop of storytelling, craft and honest conversation. In a safe, supportive environment, we will explore some traditional death stories then get hands-on, decorating a cardboard coffin and weaving a willow coffin with skilled artisans. This isn’t morbid, it’s liberating! Tackle fears, share experiences, and reclaim death as part of life’s natural rhythm. Led by storyteller, celebrant and death educator Beverley Bryant, this workshop transforms discomfort into understanding and isolation into community, offering new perspectives on life’s final chapter. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 1 Nov: 10:30am) Swedish storyteller and actor Jerker Fahlström leads us through the stages of analysing a text. Explore each character in your story: who they are, their role, and why they act the way they do. By the end, you’ll have a rich pool of insights to shape your narrative with depth and clarity. Please bring a story to work with, let’s get creative! ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Training Venue at SSC
(Sat 1 Nov: 1:30pm) Join the Scottish Wildlife Trust and storyteller Allison Galbraith as we immerse ourselves in the magical, shimmering world of Scottish waters. We will explore the mythology, ecology and importance of rivers and waterways through Allison’s retelling of rare, watery Scottish legends. Then, we will celebrate storytellers of all ages who have captured the spirit and wonder of Scotland’s wildlife and wild places, as we announce the winners of the Words of the Wild nature writing competition. ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 2pm) An open conversation with national and international guests about the networks and ideas that connect us. The networking strand at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival brings together performers and attendees who are interested in storytelling skills and sources, community projects and creative collaboration. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Sat 1 Nov: 4pm) In the fourth century, a young woman steps onto a boat in Greece carrying the bones of a martyr. Triduana is part of a small group of missionaries determined to share the Christian faith by taking Saint Andrew’s bones ‘to the ends of the earth’. Her journey to the land of the Picts will take her across seas and rivers and through transformations of belief and body. Join Monica Madas and Erin Farley as they tell the story of Triduana’s voyage into unseen waters and mythologies through story, song and puppetry. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 6pm) Across Cumbria, roads wend their way through picturesque countryside. Ancient dry stone walls hold the stories of the dead that were carried past on these secret and haunted trails. The Corpse Road follows the rise and fall, the twists and turns of these paths to tell the tale of characters that were carried to their final resting place. Storyteller Daniel Serridge and musician Heather Cartwright weave stories and songs together in this evocative and unnerving folkloric journey to the grave. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 1 Nov: 8pm) Our Open Hearth sessions gather together storytellers and musicians for a relaxed evening of stories and music in the Netherbow Theatre. As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, this is the perfect way to end the festival! Featuring Dougie Mackay, Hjörleifur Stefánsson, Suse Weisse and musician Luisa Brown. ~~~~~ The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 2 Nov) This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Samhuinn story with their little ones through storytelling and music. Join us for a free morning of face painting and activities, followed by a ticketed session of storytelling and songs.. 10:30am face painting & activities, free and drop-in1pm storytelling session, ticketed below ~~~~~ Join us in the school holidays and across the Festival for a selection of storytelling performances and events for all the family as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025. The Festival tracks a rich northern arc which bridges Finland to Iceland, and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland a sea road junction in the middle. Don’t miss out on the tales and music or the close experience of nature. As winter gathers round the hearth fires, look north to join the merry dancers in the sky! Purchase a Storytelling Festival Pass and make the most of the Festival programme! Buy A Pass
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytelling Court
(Wed 5 Nov: 7:30pm) The moon begins to form as the moon spinners wash their wool in the sea, winding it again into a white ball in the sky and re-creating the phases and cycles that guide our seasons, and our stories... ~~~~~ Join us for our quarterly series of full-moon celebrations, with live storytelling, music and a rotating programme of incredible performers. Following the Celtic Wheel of the Year (the quarterly seasons of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain) we look forward to moon myths, lunar legends and cross-cultural stories, revealing themes of creation, fertility, cosmic joy, transformation, death and rebirth. For our November session we welcome you under the full Beaver Moon with another exciting lineup of storytellers, this month featuring Bea Ferguson, Selina Graham and Heather Yule, with Claire McNicol and Linda Williamson. ~~~~~ Moonspinners events will follow two distinct phases, with the first half of performance in the Netherbow Theatre, followed by a social and conversational flow upstairs in the Storytelling Court with a chance to digest and discuss the stories amongst friends old and new. Mark it in your diary, or just follow the moon to guide you here! ~~~~~ Image credit: Hester Aspland
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Netherbow Theatre
(Thu 6 Nov: 7:30pm) Over 50% of people in prison are thought to be neurodivergent. This creates additional challenges in an already high-stress environment, with lack of diagnosis only aggravating the issue. For Shug, after decades of addiction, life finally feels like it’s going in the right direction. But when a new and unpredictable cellmate, Kai, moves in, Shug’s carefully constructed new sense of self threatens to fall apart. Combining the experiences of Scottish Prisoners with the author's own experience of living with undiagnosed ADHD/Autism, 'Mind of Man' is a play about the struggle to claim your place in the world when you and the people around you can’t understand what’s going on inside your brain. Emerging from The University of Edinburgh’s major REALITIES research programme, addressing health disparities across Scotland, 'Mind of Man' makes a powerful challenge to prisoners, policy makers and the wider public. This debut performance will be followed by a panel discussion. Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 8-Sun 22 Nov) The exhibition is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Amongst other images both photographic and artistic, it will include portraits of the women with the opportunity to explore some of their memories and stories through written story, materials and objects. Jill de Fresnes is a creative photographer and filmmaker, researcher and educationalist with over 25 years'experience in heritage and community engagement, particularly in Scotland’s coastal fishing communities. Her work blends oral history and multimedia storytelling to turn lived experiences into lasting cultural legacies, with the voices from these communities front and foremost in telling their stories to a wider audience.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 8 Nov: 7:30pm) Join Jill de Fresnes and Christine Kydd with guests, to celebrate the launch of the Silver, Salt and Stories exhibition running at the Scottish Storytelling Centre during November. Jill and Christine will perform an hour of song and music, interspersed with film clips of memories and stories from interviews collected from women who worked as herring gutters between 1920 and 1960. The exhibition is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Amongst other images both photographic and artistic, it will include portraits of the women with the opportunity to explore some of their memories and stories through written story, materials and objects. ~~~~~ Jill de Fresnes is a creative photographer and filmmaker, researcher and educationalist with over 25 years'experience in heritage and community engagement, particularly in Scotland’s coastal fishing communities. Her work blends oral history and multimedia storytelling to turn lived experiences into lasting cultural legacies, with the voices from these communities front and foremost in telling their stories to a wider audience. A veteran of the folk world, Christine Kydd grew up musically in the vibrant Edinburgh scene. Her career has offered her great variety, where she has not only worked solo, with the finest of players (musicians who now feature in top groups including Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin’ Fiddles, Shooglenifty) but also in highly-acclaimed groundbreaking projects, such as her extensive touring and recording work with Janet Russell; in Chantan with Elspeth Cowie and Corinna Hewat and in Calluna with Charlotte Peterson, Rebecca Knorr and Anna Wendy Stevenson.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sun 9 Nov: 12pm - 3pm) Musicians Claire Gullan and Kirstie McLanaghan return to host another fantastic TAM Session, the collaborative project that combines two of their passions - playing Trad music and Arts & Crafting. This session is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The TAM Sessions is an open and informal trad session, but with the lovely additional invitation to bring your sewing, knitting, crochet, or any other crafting project that you enjoy. Being able to play an instrument is not a pre-requisite and we welcome non-musicians to enjoy the tunes while they craft. In the same vein, please come along for a tune even if you don’t craft. Everyone is welcome! The driving factor behind this project is joy. A joyful experience has a direct, positive impact on our mental health. Community building through creative arts also creates a real sense of belonging and connectedness. Proficiency is not important, just come along and enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~ This event is part of Easy Sundays, a monthly session of stories, music, community and friendship, where warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all to enjoy. So come find a space to relax amongst friends, old and new.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Tue 11 Nov: 2pm) Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories, held in the relaxed setting of the Storytelling Court. All welcome to listen or bring a tune for a turn.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 12 Nov: 7pm) Join Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers for a series of regular open-floor storytelling nights taking place throughout the year, a cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. Hosted by Bob Mitchell and members of Burgh Blatherers storytelling club, who will transport you with their own stories and imaginative weavings while offering you the chance to tell your own tales! Hiring fairs were traditionally held at Martinmas – bring us stories of work, magical service, prisoners or apprentices. What would you give a year and a day to accomplish?
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Fri 14 Nov: 7pm) A monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh, full of stories, songs, music, dance and good cràic! Each month a variety of performers will entertain, alongside the usual space for conversation and friendship. Bothan Dhùn Èideann are a not-for-profit group, active for over 21 years, promoting and developing Scottish Gaelic language and culture in Edinburgh and creating space where everyone, no matter their background, feels comfortable celebrating Gaelic in Edinburgh. These events are presented in Gaelic throughout and all are welcome whether fluent speakers, learners or somewhere in between. Bothan Dhùn Èideann is funded and in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov: 10:30am) A hands-on, practical introduction to live storytelling and the associated skills across two days of workshops and presentations. Day 1 is led by storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick and Day 2 is led by storyteller and National Development Officer Joanne Urwin. For new and aspiring storytellers. ~~~~~~~~~~ Presented by the Scottish Storytelling Forum these participatory sessions are designed to help you improve your skills and share your experiences with fellow storytelling enthusiasts. This carefully curated workshop programme offers you the chance to work with highly-skilled and experienced artists, giving you guidance on improving your practice and discovering your own talent. Did you know? Members of the Scottish Storytelling Forum are entitled to discounted rates on our storytelling workshops. For more information on memberships please visit the Storytelling Forum website. ~~~~~~~~~~ Pay it Forward If you are willing and able to donate a workshop place to another person, you now can! Click the button above and select the ticket price to donate. We will then be able to offer a free place to someone who would not have been able to attend otherwise. If you feel the Pay It Forward scheme would benefit you and would like to request a free ticket please email our Reception Team where you will be allocated a ticket if available. We hold 1 space per workshop for Pay It Forward requests.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Training Venue
(Sat 8 Nov: 7:30pm) A Wheen o’ Wimmin present Singing Our Stories, featuring five celebrated Scots singers who’ve shared many a stage both great and small. Born into a musical Perthshire family, Aileen Carr has been performing since the early 1970s in the UK and abroad; solo and with the bands Lang Johnny More and Ceolbeg, the popular unaccompanied group Palaver and, more recently, with Barbara Dymock and Janice Reavell in the a cappella trio Choras. She is a former chair of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland and was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2023. Lanarkshire-born Elspeth Cowie’s singing story began with winning a school Burns prize. In the early 1970s she sang rock in Glasgow but soon returned to the tradition in Aberdeen, learning much from Lizzie Higgins. In Edinburgh, she joined the band Seannachie then formed Chantan with Christine Kydd and Corrina Hewat. Elspeth was National Organiser of the TMSA for five years, and has two solo, three band and several compilation albums to her credit. Barbara Dymock learned songs as a child from her grandparents. She made her first foray into performing aged 19 with the newly-formed band Ceolbeg and a cappella trio Fair Game. After a long break to raise a family and pursue a medical career, she returned to sing with Rathlin, Fon a Bhord, Sinsheen, and The Barbara Dymock Band. She is currently in a duo with Chris Marra, and the trio Choras with Janice Reavell & Aileen Carr. She has 2 solo albums. Amy Lord grew in a musical Dunblane family then studied Scots song at the-then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama under the inspirational tutelage of some of Scotland’s best. For nearly 20 years, she has led singing groups like The Liltin Lassies, conducted workshops, taught Scots song and language in schools and performed at festivals and folk clubs. Of Folk Revival vintage, Chris Miles has sung since childhood. A floor spot at Kirkcaldy FC in 1985 brought her to attention and she rapidly became a well-regarded trad singer, winning many silver cups in the 1980s. In 1990, she began a 20-year partnership with Gordeanna McCulloch, and in 1991, they formed Palaver with Aileen Carr and Maureen Jelks. Chris still performs, including a five-week 2022 US tour, with her guitarist partner Gearaidh Matthews. This event is supported by the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland and the North Atlantic Song Convention.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Fri 21 Nov: 7:30pm) With her breathtaking vocals, this emerging voice on the world folk stage engages us with today’s big challenges such as migration, climate change and civil war as well as more personal experiences of loneliness, hope and interconnection. In this unique concert, Susanna Orr Holland and facilitator Chris Booth, inspired by Joanna Macy, will create space for the audience to react, whether with humour or grief, to what they hear in her songs. “I pour my own emotional responses into my songs about issues which we need to look at head-on and I hope that they can help other people do that and onwards to understanding and action” says Susanna. “A big theme is connection – we are all connected, these issues are all connected, but many people feel unconnected and alone when confronting them. We’re going to try to change this and hopefully create a shared sense of momentum in response” Edinburgh-based Susanna Orr Holland’s unique style weaves a mix of influences from British and Irish folk song to Indian and Persian vocal techniques. Accompanying herself on guitar and Indian harmonium, her talented band assembled specially for this unmissable performance will feature the multi-instrumentalist Chris Lyons (Blue Giant Orkestar) on bayan accordion, oud and double bass the inspired Tom Adams on violin (Orkestra del Sol) and experimental Tim Lane on drums (Hidden Orkestra).
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 22 Nov: 10:30am) To accompany the launch of Susanna Orr Holland’s new album Return of the Swallows, Chris Booth will offer a Work That Reconnects workshop. The multiple existential threats to our world seem worse every time we look at the news: species going extinct, rising war and authoritarianism, ice caps melting at an unprecedented rate, the industrial growth economy spiralling out of control. The temptation is either to sink into despair or to hide away and pretend it’s not real! How can we face the mess we’re in with resilience and creative power? Based on the work of Joanna Macy, the Work That Reconnects is an inspiring, interactive group process for anyone who longs to engage in the healing of our world, and to build deep connection with our human and other-than-human communities. An experienced facilitator of the Work That Reconnects, with lifelong experience in the peace and environmental movements, Chris is passionate about addressing the causes of conflict, injustice, suffering, and environmental damage, and building radical communities to sustain us in this work. The workshop offer structured practices and use Susanna’s music to explore gratitude, joy, grief, and active hope in a safe space.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
George Mackay Brown Library
(Fri 28 Nov: 7:30pm) Another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar, with the usual open-floor section for anyone to share a story, song or poem around the theme or otherwise. Featuring a different host every month and a guest storyteller to be announced. Supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Waverley Bar
(Wed 3 Dec: 7pm) Nights are growing long and dark. Cold nips the air. It’s time to braid our evergreen circle - time to join the Burgh Blatherers for their Winter Warmer. Members of Edinburgh's own storytelling club present a heartfelt season finale to their year of storytelling ceilidhs and fan the embers of the year into flame of warming cheer and conviviality. Sit back and enjoy!
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Storytelling Court
(Wed 17 Dec: 7:30pm) Come and enjoy live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre, where the amazing apprentice storytellers will show off their skills and explore a different theme with every performance. Hosted by Janis Mackay and featuring a host of new storytelling voices.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
(Sat 20 Dec - Tue 23 Dec: 11am & 2pm) It’s time to shout “Oh yes it is!” because Macastory are bringing their Panto for wee ones and big ones back to the Scottish Storytelling Centre – and you’re invited! Join Cinderella, her nasty sister and her even nastier Stepmother, along with a cast of colourful characters in a laugh-out-loud, family-friendly show filled with songs, silliness, and plenty of chances for the audience to join in the fun. Be part of the magic – cheer for Cinders, boo the baddies, and help make sure that Cinders gets home from the ball before the clock strikes midnight! Grab your tickets fast! And don’t forget to wear your best shoes! Specially designed by Macastory as a lovely introduction to Pantomime.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Netherbow Theatre
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