17-31 OCTOBER - SCOTTISH INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2020 - TICKETS 0131 556 9579 - Scottish International Storytelling ...
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SCOTTISH
INTERNATIONAL
STORYTELLING
FESTIVAL 2020
17–31 OCTOBER
TICKETS 0131 556 9579
SISF.ORG.UK
WELCOME
Stories and songs are
vital for human survival…
they carry our emotions, memories and values,
they bind us together as families, communities and
nations, especially through tough times. The Scottish
International Storytelling Festival continues to channel Geeta Ramanujam
Photo by Kathalaya
that flow this year.
Our festival plans, and our ability to deliver them,
took a severe knock in March this year. We have
held our nerve, adjusted our world view, talked with
incredible storytellers and worked through some
difficult times to present a festival programme, which
we hope will do justice to the spirit and inspiration of
our usual festival activity.
This year we welcome our international performers online
in the same ceilidh tradition as always, alongside some
of the best Scottish storytellers. Our festival commissions
in the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 explore Scotland Donna Washington
as a nation shaped by the sea through the Voyage series, Photo by Jonathan Van Ark
whilst our Open Hearth and Guid Crack sessions offer
participation in unique storytelling ceilidhs. Our popular
Community & Family Programme offers opportunities
for families, schools and community groups to engage
with the wonder of storytelling and the Global Lab
workshops offer a platform for development and
discussion. As ever, we round up the festival with the
Feast of Samhuinn, in accordance with Celtic tradition.
Human connections will continue to exist through
stories, regardless of where we are in the world.
Please come with us on this journey.
David Francis
The Festival Team Photo by Allan McMillan
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is organised by TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture
Scotland), which brings together the Traditional Music Forum, Scottish Storytelling Forum and
Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland, from its base at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. TRACS
showcases Scotland’s traditional arts in a contemporary world, making them more accessible to all.
Supported through Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, the PLACE Programme supported by the Scottish
Government and City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Festivals Edinburgh,
Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Caledonian MacBrayne and Colmcille 1500.
02 Box office: 0131 556 9579
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
The festival programme is a blended approach of online opportunities and
in-person live events. Our event categories ensure your storytelling experience
is exactly what you are looking for, be it in the comfort of your own home, in
outdoor locations or in one of the festival venues. All our live plans are subject
to Scottish Government guidance in the autumn period.
HOW EVENT TYPES All in-person
events will be
TO BOOK Online | Pre-recorded
Traditional storytelling performances
subject to Scottish
Government
Tickets for events at the health and safety
filmed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre guidelines in
Scottish Storytelling Centre or on site-specific locations in Scotland. October.
(including online events:
Voyage, Open Hearth, Guid Online | Live Broadcast
Crack and Global Lab), and Traditional storytelling sessions broadcast live online.
St Columba’s by the Castle
can be booked by phone, Online | Open-mic
online or in person through Traditional storytelling sessions broadcast live online,
the Centre’s Box Office. with open floor contributions.
+44 (0) 131 556 9579 Online | Live Webinar
sisf.org.uk Online workshops and presentations broadcast live from
the Scottish Storytelling Centre, with audience participation.
Other partner venues and
regional events have their own In-person | Indoor
booking outlets, as listed. Small-scale live storytelling events in festival venues.
ACCESS INFO… In-person | Indoor Open-mic
A full Access Statement Small-scale live storytelling events in festival venues,
is available on our website with open floor contributions.
or on request. A full list of
live captioned events will In-person | Outdoor
be available at sisf.org.uk. Small-scale live storytelling events in outdoor locations.
HOW TO Scottish Storytelling Centre | 43-45 High Street | EH1 1SR
GET HERE EAST MARKET STRE
ET
The Scottish Storytelling
CR
AN
JEFFREY STREET
Centre’s award-winning
STO
NS
building is the hub of the The Scottish
NOR
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ATE
Festival, located halfway Storytelling ONG
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CAN
ET
Centre
down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Edinburgh
RIDG
STRE
ET Holyrood Palace
within easy walking distance Castle
E
HIGH
of Princes Street and Waverley
BLA
train station. There is no
CKF
parking directly outside the
RIA
SOU
Centre, but the Lothian bus
RS S
TH B
number 35 stops outside with
TRE
RIDG
ET
a taxi rank close by. Opening
E
hours subject to Scottish COW
GATE
Government guidelines.
sisf.org.uk 03
FESTIVAL
EXHIBITION
SAT 17 OCT – SAT 7 NOV
The Gruagach Solais
by Claire Hewitt
Scottish Storytelling Centre
Mon - Sun: 10am - 6pm | Free
Highland Perthshire is a land rich in story and ancient lore
deeply connected to its natural environment. The lifeblood that
flows through this land are the waters that create the River Tay,
without which the trees, birds, wild beings of earth, water and
air would not survive. Claire Hewitt’s images are a response to
the abundant natural and mythological landscape around her.
From magical salmon to wild faerie cattle women, each image
holds, like water, a memory of the most ancient of stories and
the spirit of the place. The Gruagach Solais was a wise spirit of
the blacksmith’s fire, a spark of inspiration and wisdom taken
from a Gaelic poem in Highland Perthshire.
COMMUNITY &
FAMILY PROGRAMME
The SISF Community & Family Programme is taking place
Mon 12 Oct – Mon 30 Nov pairing local storytellers with schools
and community groups in digital and small-scale live settings
– keeping things safe and slow with a varied and enjoyable
programme for all.
Community groups and schools can take part in The Big
Scottish Story Ripple by holding a storytelling event led by a
storyteller from the SSF storytelling Directory. Groups can apply
for a subsidy that will cover the cost of their storyteller’s fees.
In return, successful applicants must offer a good deed back to
their local community on or before St Andrew’s Day.
For more information contact
storytelling@tracscotland.org Michael Kerins
04 Box office: 0131 556 9579
GET
CREATIVE
SAT 17 – FRI 30 OCT
SISF Art Challenge: Waterlines
Love drawing? Join the first SISF online art challenge and
engage with the festival community, with the chance to
win a book of Scottish folktales. Mythical prompts will be
released to inspire your imagination, taking you on an
adventurous sea voyage.
Check our Instagram @ScotStoryFest for updates and follow
Image by Annalisa Salis
the hashtags #SISFArtChallenge #SISFWaterlines.
MON 19 & SAT 31 OCT
Scotland’s Greatest Ghost Stories
What is your favourite ghost story attached to your community?
As part of SISF 2020, we’re casting a net across the nation to
catch ghost stories haunting each local area and to celebrate
these tales with an online discussion, a workshop and a ghost
story event on the last day of the festival… Saturday 31 October,
Halloween!
Do you know of a White Lady spectre that haunts a derelict
castle, a local railway line haunted by a ghost train or a tales of Photo by Colin Hattersley
local witches and warlocks? Then take part!
How to get involved:
• Research ghosts stories linked to your local area
• Mon 19 Oct: take part in an online social media discussion #SISFsaysBoo
• Mon 19 Oct, 6.30pm (1hr): attend a ‘How to Tell a Good Ghost Story’ workshop
• Sat 31 Oct, 4pm (2hrs): share and listen to all the ghostly tales during an online event
on Halloween
For more information contact storytelling@tracscotland.org
Tickets available via the Box Office
sisf.org.uk 05
VOYAGE:
A NATION
SHAPED
BY THE
SEA
Andy Cannon
Photo by Brian Hartley
06 Box office: 0131 556 9579
Over centuries, real and imaginary voyages have connected Scotland
to other coastal countries, near and far. Some of the story treasures
that arrived and departed with them are now presented in this special
series of traditional storytelling events, celebrating Scotland as a nation
shaped by the sea. Specially developed for SISF 2020 by Scottish-based
storytellers and musicians, the performances are presented as live from
the Netherbow Theatre, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre or on location
where the stories are set. Experience some of Scotland’s best storytellers
and musicians in the flow as they shape these incredible tales.
SAT 17 OCT SUN 18 OCT
Tales of a The Stone Stories
Grandson: The by Mandy Haggith
Maid of Norway Online | Pre-recorded
by Andy Cannon 6.30pm
By donation (ticketed)
Online | Pre-recorded
Author Mandy Haggith Mandy Haggith
6.30pm presents her trilogy of novels photo by Bill Ritchie
By donation (ticketed) set in the Iron Age, inspired
by the true story of Pytheas
Once upon a time - or 724
years, 5 months and 1 day of Massalia, who made an MON 19 OCT
ago, to be precise - Andy incredible journey in 320 BC
the messenger sets off from
Edinburgh Castle bound for
from the Mediterranean and
back again via Britain, the
Strathspey
Norway on a royal errand to Arctic and the Baltic Sea. Stories
collect and escort the new Explore who he would have by David Francis &
Queen of Scotland back to met along the coastline of Hamish Napier
her new home in her new what is now northern Scotland
land. Join Andy on his journey and how the Celtic culture Online | Pre-recorded
across the sea as he rehearses he encountered would have
8pm
how best to tell little Princess differed from that of the
By donation (ticketed)
Margaret of Norway the tragic Greek Empire he came from
events that have led to her and returned to. Carefully ‘The Haughs of Cromdale’,
becoming the first ruling researched, the novels were ‘Tullochgorum’, The White
Queen of Scots. Filmed at the written mostly while sailing Horse of Spey, the Muime
Scottish Storytelling Centre. the routes that Pytheas and the Old Man of Dunshee,
Suitable for all the family. travelled and address issues ‘The Spey in Spate’ - Hamish
that are deeply relevant today, Napier and David Francis
including greed, slavery and explore coasts and waters
sexual power. Come and enjoy with stories and music
a glimpse behind the scenes from Strathspey, plus an
with a prize-winning historical atmospheric telling of Stanley
novelist. Filmed on location Robertson’s ‘Jack and the
in Clachtoll. Dancing Trees’. Filmed on
location in Strathspey and at
the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
sisf.org.uk 07
TUE 20 OCT Queen Anne of Denmark,
bittersweet memories are
unearthed for the royal
The Voyage couple. They recall a perilous
voyage across the waters
of St Brendan between Scotland and
by Marion Kenny & Denmark. The play stirs up
John Kenny a well of grief, opening the
deepest of heart wounds in
Online | Pre-recorded the king himself. Join English
8pm storyteller Alice Fernbank and
By donation (ticketed) Danish storyteller Svend-
Erik Engh as they tell a tale
Join sibling duo Marion and they have conjured from
John Kenny as they explore the growing evidence of
the legendary voyage of St parallels between the story of
Brendan and his monks into Hamlet and the life of James
the unknown. Volcanoes, VI/I. Filmed at the Scottish
icebergs, sea monsters, Storytelling Centre.
strange beings, courage and
spirituality all play a part in
this ancient adventure story
of St. Brendan. Known as
THU 22 OCT
‘The Navigator’ he is widely
believed to have sailed from Nanny of
Ireland to America hundreds
of years before the Vikings the Maroons Mara Menzies
and thousands of years before by Mara Menzies &
Columbus. Words and music
will be woven together in a
Apphia Campbell
FRI 23 OCT
magical blend, featuring harps Online | Pre-recorded
and the ancient Celtic Iron
Age horns of the Deskford
8pm Tour to the
By donation (ticketed)
Carnyx from Scotland and
As the ships carried provisions
Hebrides
the Loughnashade horn from by Andy Cannon, Christopher
from the ice-cold waters of
Ireland. Filmed at the Scottish Craig & Donald Smith
Scotland to the coastline of
Storytelling Centre.
Africa, a woman, packaged as Online | Pre-recorded
human cargo, was led on to
6.30pm
WED 21 OCT a vessel. She crossed oceans
heading to the land of sugar By donation (ticketed)
and opportunity. Chained and All aboard with Sam and
Orphan James imprisoned, her fury built with
the pounding of the waves
Bozzie - alias storytellers Andy
Cannon and Christopher Craig
and the Prince and upon her arrival, she - for Boswell and Johnson’s
of Denmark slipped away like water in the
sand. Filled with the force of
infamous trip across Scotland
to Iona. It’s English bulldog
by Alice Fernbank & the rivers, tides, storms and versus Scots terrier, and they
Svend-Erik Engh the power to deflect bullets, are both writing their version.
Online | Pre-recorded she returned to vent her rage And why won’t someone
and fulfil her destiny. Her set up a reliable system of
6.30pm name was Nanny, Queen of ferries? The intrepid duo hit
By donation (ticketed) the Maroons. Story and songs all the highs and plumb the
As The King’s Men perform by Mara Menzies and Apphia lows of travelling in the same
Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Campbell. Filmed at the boat. Devised by Donald
court of James VI/I and Scottish Storytelling Centre. Smith. Filmed at the Scottish
Storytelling Centre and on
location in the Hebrides.
08 Box office: 0131 556 9579
SAT 24 OCT
Scots in the
Antarctic:
A Tale with
Penguins, Pipers
and a Dog
named Russ
by Nicola Wright
Online | Pre-recorded
6.30pm
By donation (ticketed)
Join storyteller Nicola Wright
on a journey to the end of the
earth to hear of the hugely
successful, but now almost
forgotten, Scottish National
Antarctic Expedition 1902-
1904. In this entertaining John Kenny
family-friendly performance Photo by Hugh Beauchamp
you will meet William Speirs
Bruce, a polar hero you may
never have heard of. You will
learn about what explorers
SUN 25 OCT Deiseal |
ate, how they lived and Sunwise
what they wore. Are you Leaving by Ian Stephen, Christine
ready to discover the story
of the Saltire at the South Iona Morrison & Mike Vass
Pole? Filmed at the Scottish by Heather Yule & Online | Pre-recorded
Storytelling Centre. Suitable Donald Smith
8pm
for all the family.
In-person | Indoor By donation (ticketed)
A three-stranded cord of
3pm (1hr)
stories, original music and
By donation (ticketed)
images will take you on a
St Columba’s by the Castle historic voyage off Scotland’s
Scottish Episcopal Church west coast, as far as the
It’s Columba’s wake. But outlying Hebridean islands
where does his body belong - of Hirta and North Rona.
in Donegal or Iona? And who With stories arranged and
will tell the story - the monks, told by storyteller Ian Stephen
the poets or the women? Join and new music from Mike
storytellers Heather Yule and Vass. Images selected and
Donald Smith in person on arranged by Christine
this special afternoon, as they Morrison. Filmed at the
follow the inner and outer Scottish Storytelling Centre.
journeys of Colmcille/Columba
on the 1500th anniversary of
his birth.
sisf.org.uk 09
Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie Photo by Róise Ní Eadhra 10 Box office: 0131 556 9579
THU 29 OCT
WED 28 OCT
Shetland Stories
TUATH: TUATH: & Fiddle Tunes:
Òrain às na Songs of the The Greenland
Northlands Northlands Days and the
le Brian Ó hEadhra agus by Brian Ó hEadhra and
Fiona NicChoinnich Fiona Mackenzie Haaf Fishing
Air loidhe | air a chlàradh Online | Pre-recorded by Maurice Henderson &
roimhe Ewen Thomson
8pm
By donation (ticketed) Online | Pre-recorded
8f Fàilte air tìodhlaicean
(Tiogaidean) Highland-based duo, Brian 6.30pm
Bidh Brian Ó hEadhra Ó hEadhra and Fiona By donation (ticketed)
agus Fiona NicCoinnich Mackenzie, present an Join Maurice Henderson and
a’ gabhail òrain às na intimate show featuring Ewen Thomson as they share
clàraidhean as ùr aca songs from their acclaimed, stories and songs from the
TÌR – Highland Life & Lore recently released albums days of sail. Many Shetlanders
agus TUATH – Songs of the TÌR - Highland Life & made their living through
Northlands anns a’ chonsairt Lore and TUATH - Songs Haaf fishing, using small open
shònraichte seo. Tha TÌR of the Northlands. TÌR boats to sail or row out to the
a’ coimhead air dòighean- explores traditional deep-water fishing grounds.
beatha traidiseanta agus and contemporary life The boat handling skills of
dòighean-beatha san latha and stories from the the Shetland fishermen
an-diugh is a’ gabhail Highlands of Scotland. meant they were in great
a-steach sgeulachdan TUATH is a musical and demand to crew aboard the
às a’ Ghàidhealtachd. ‘s cultural exploration of British Arctic whaling ships.
e rùrachadh ceòlmhòr is the connections between The performance is enriched
cultarail a th’ ann an TUATHA the Gaels and our nearest with Shetland traditional and
a tha a’ sealltainn air na Atlantic neighbours. contemporary fiddle tunes
ceanglaichean eadar na The duo will provide relating to the sea, inspired
Gàidheil is na nàbaidhean introductions and read by the stories and traditions
aca anns a’ Chuan Siar. translations of the songs, handed down from the days
Bheir an dithis seachad which are mostly in of the whaling and Haaf
ro-ràdh do na h-òrain le Scottish Gaelic, but also in fishing. Filmed on location
eadar-theangachaidhean, Irish Gaelic, English and in Shetland.
‘s ann anns a’ Ghàidhlig a Norwegian. A show not to
tha a’ mhòr-chuid de na be missed! Filmed at the
h-òrain ach tha cuideachd Scottish Storytelling Centre.
òrain ann an Gaeilge, Beurla
agus Nirribhis. Nach call an
cothrom seo fhaicinn! Air
a chlàradh ann an Ionad
Sgeulachdan na h-Alba.
sisf.org.uk 11Maurice Henderson and Ewen Thomson Photo by Maurice Henderson 12 Box office: 0131 556 9579
Fiona Herbert
Photo by Sandy McGhie
FRI 30 OCT SAT 31 OCT
The Birlinn Corryvreckan:
by Ailean Domhnullach/ Inspiralled Tales
Allan MacDonald
by Fiona Herbert,
Online | Pre-recorded with Emma Durkan
6.30pm Online | Pre-recorded
By donation (ticketed)
6.30pm
Are we heading for peace By donation (ticketed)
or war? Renowned piper
Explore Scotland’s mythical
and Gaelic tradition bearer,
heritage as storyteller
Ailean Domhnullach/Allan
Fiona Herbert tells the tales
MacDonald premieres his
surrounding the Corryvreckan
musical evocation of sailing,
whirlpool through the eyes
sharing the majestic voyage
of the much maligned and
of The Galley of Clanranald.
misunderstood Cailleach,
The featured Gaelic text of
the ancient Gaelic creation
Birlinn Chlann Raghnaill is
goddess. In doing so, she dives
by Alasdair Mac Mhaistear
beneath the lies to celebrate
Alasdair, Jacobite Bard of
female power, the true value
Clan Ranald, alongside a
of old age and the wisdom
new translation by Alan
of the wild. With harp, fiddle
Riach. Filmed at the
and song from Emma Durkan.
Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Supported by the National
Lottery through Creative
Scotland. Filmed at the
Scottish Storytelling Centre.
sisf.org.uk 13OPEN HEARTH
SESSIONS
Online | Live Broadcast
SAT 17, SUN 18,
WED 21, SAT 24, TUE 27,
THU 29, SAT 31 OCT
8pm (2hrs) | By donation (ticketed)
THU 22 & SUN 25 OCT
1pm (2hrs) | By donation (ticketed)
The Festival’s famous Open Hearth
sessions move online in a ceilidh of
cultures. Join us for a specially curated
lineup at each session featuring some
of the finest traditional storytellers from
around the world, hosted by a Scottish
storyteller in the ceilidh tradition. The
perfect way to end – or start – your day!
Guests include Baba the Storyteller,
Jan Blake, Peter Chand, Giovanna
Conforto, Wangari Grace, Sue
Hollingsworth, Usifu Jalloh, Dawne
McFarlane, Niall Moorjani, John Titi
Namai, Carolina Quiroga-Stultz, Kamini
Ramachandran, Raphael Rodan, Sahand
Sahebdivani, Donna Washington and
Liz Weir. Full listings are available online.
Peter Chand
Photo by Katja Lange
14 Box office: 0131 556 9579GUID CRACK
SESSIONS
Online | Open-mic
FRI 23 & FRI 30 OCT
8pm (2hrs) | By donation (ticketed)
Join us for two special sessions of
Edinburgh’s long-running storytelling night,
with a special guest storyteller each time
and the usual open-floor opportunity to
share a tale of your own.
FRI 23 OCT
with Michael Kerins
FRI 30 OCT
with Fran Flett Hollinrake
Fran Flett Hollinrake
Photo by Mark Woodsford-Dean
sisf.org.uk 15FESTIVAL DIARY | EDINBURGH
GO LOCAL SCOTLAND PAGES 26-29
TIME EVENT EVENT TYPE LOC. PAGE
SAT 17 OCTOBER
11am/12.30pm Edinburgh Old Town Family Day In-person | Outdoor SSC 23
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: Tales of a Grandson Online | Pre-recorded Online 7
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
SUN 18 OCTOBER
11am Scotland’s Democracy Trail In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
4pm/6pm Scuttlebutt Stories! In-person | Indoor PER 23
6.30pm Voyage: The Stone Stories Online | Pre-recorded Online 7
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
MON 19 OCTOBER
11am Enlightened Eccentrics! In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
1.30pm Global Lab: Deep Healing and Ecology Online | Live Webinar Online 19
3pm Spirit of the Mountains Online | Live Broadcast Online(NLS) 23
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm How to Tell a Good Ghost Story Online | Live Broadcast Online 5
8pm Voyage: Strathspey Stories Online | Pre-recorded Online 7
TUE 20 OCTOBER
11am Enlightened Eccentrics! In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
3pm Tales and Traditions from Orkney Online | Live Broadcast Online(NLS) 23
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
8pm Voyage: The Voyage of St Brendan Online | Pre-recorded Online 8
WED 21 OCTOBER
11am By Leaves We Live: Patrick Geddes In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
Story Tour of the Old Town
1pm/3pm Enchanted Garden: Paths of Stories In-person | Outdoor RBGE 25
1.30pm Global Lab: Journey to the Online | Live Webinar Online 19
Mountain Source
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: Orphan James and the Online | Pre-recorded Online 8
Prince of Denmark
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
THU 22 OCTOBER
1pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
8pm Voyage: Nanny of the Maroons Online | Pre-recorded Online 8
FRI 23 OCTOBER
11am Scotland’s Democracy Trail In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
1.30pm Global Lab: At Sea with the Selkies Online | Live Webinar Online 19
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: Tour to the Hebrides Online | Pre-recorded Online 8
8pm Guid Crack Online | Open-mic Online 15
16 Box office: 0131 556 9579Venue Key All
start
NLS National Library of Scotland SCBTC St Columba’s by the Castle times are
PER Padlox Escape Rooms SSC Scottish Storytelling Centre Scottish
RBGE Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Time
TIME EVENT EVENT TYPE LOC. PAGE
SAT 24 OCTOBER
11am/1pm Caddie Capers In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
1pm/3pm Enchanted Garden: Paths of Stories In-person | Outdoor RBGE 25
1.30pm Global Lab: Native America and Scotland Online | Live Webinar Online 19
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: Scots in the Antarctic Online | Pre-recorded Online 9
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
SUN 25 OCTOBER
11am Black History Walking Tour of Edinburgh In-person | Outdoor SSC 25
1pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
3pm Voyage: Leaving Iona In-person | Indoors SCBTC 9
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
8pm Voyage: Deiseal | Sunwise Online | Pre-recorded Online 9
MON 26 OCTOBER
1.30pm Global Lab: Myths of The Corryvreckan Whirlpool Online | Live Webinar Online 20
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
TUE 27 OCTOBER
11am The Witches Walk In-person | Outdoor SSC 25
1.30pm Global Lab: Living for the Sea Online | Live Webinar Online 20
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
WED 28 OCTOBER
11am By Leaves We Live: Patrick Geddes In-person | Outdoor SSC 24
Story Tour of the Old Town
1pm/3pm Enchanted Garden: Paths of Stories In-person | Outdoor RBGE 25
1.30pm Global Lab: Tobar an Dualchais | Well of Stories Online | Live Webinar Online 20
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
8pm Voyage: TUATH Online | Pre-recorded Online 11
THU 29 OCTOBER
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: Shetland Stories & Fiddle Tunes Online | Pre-recorded Online 11
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
FRI 30 OCTOBER
11am The Witches Walk In-person | Outdoor SSC 25
1.30pm Global Lab: The Earth Stories Collection Online | Live Webinar Online 21
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
6.30pm Voyage: The Birlinn Online | Pre-recorded Online 13
8pm Guid Crack Online | Open-mic Online 15
SAT 31 OCTOBER
11am Black History Walking Tour of Edinburgh In-person | Outdoor SSC 25
1pm/3pm Enchanted Garden: Paths of Stories In-person | Outdoor RBGE 25
4pm Storytelling Café In-person | Indoor Open-mic SSC 23
4pm Ghost Stories Online | Open-mic Online 5
6.30pm Voyage: Corryvreckan Online | Pre-recorded Online 13
8pm Open Hearth Online | Live Broadcast Online 14
sisf.org.uk 17GLOBAL LAB
WORKSHOPS
Online | Live Webinar
1.30pm (3hrs) | £5-15
As humanity faces an ecological,
social, economic and cultural storm,
storytellers and communities
worldwide are sourcing stories that
offer healing and hope. Global Lab
offers inspiring examples of creative
practice in the arts, education and
frontline activism, with the opportunity
to share, question and discuss.
Daily Programme
1.30pm: Welcome, Introductions
and Presentation
2.30pm: Break
2.45pm: Workshop Sharing and
Discussion
4.30pm: End
Laura Simms
Photo by Eric Maddern
18 Box office: 0131 556 9579MON 19 OCT and administrator. She is
the founder of the Kathalaya SAT 24 OCT
Trust and the International
Deep Healing Academy of Storytelling,
which has defined and
Native America
and Ecology evolved the ancient art and Scotland:
with Laura Simms of storytelling through
workshops and certified
Atlantic
Can we heal the planet
without healing ourselves and
courses, ensuring over 85,000 Crossings
adults and 500,000 children with Julie Cajune
our fractured relationships?
have learnt and enjoyed the & Douglas Mackay
Laura Simms is an
art of storytelling.
internationally acclaimed What is the significance of
storyteller, writer and teacher, Native American traditions for
performing worldwide since
1970. She combines traditional FRI 23 OCT the modern world, and how
can we connect with them in
narrative with personal Scotland? Julie Cajune is the
story and has been a major
inspiration in the healing
At Sea with sum of many stories, with a
Salish, Nex Perce and Scots-
and storytelling endeavour. the Selkies Irish mother, and a Chippewa
Her most recent book, Our with Janis Mackay and French father, but the
Secret Territory: The Essence largest part of her identity is
What does it mean to lose
of Storytelling, has been called Salish. Educator and citizen of
your seal skin? What can we
‘the best book ever written on the Confederated Salish and
learn from the selkie stories
storytelling’ (Jay O’Callahan). Kootenai Tribes, Julie served
when it comes to retrieving
She lives in New York City and in the public school system,
lost parts of ourselves? How
is part of The Constellation, transitioning to Director of
can myth guide us and heal
a worldwide development the CSKT Tribal Education
us? Scottish storyteller Janis
project, and is the artistic Department. She has
Mackay has been working
director of the Hans Christian produced books, films, plays
with stories for over 20
Andersen Storytelling Center and curricula with a focus
years. Some of her favourite
in NYC. on American Indian history.
traditional stories involve
She has received several
the physical or mental
prestigious honours for her
WED 21 OCT transformation of characters
into other beings. Janis is also
education and cultural work.
an author and she wrote her
Douglas Mackay is fascinated
Journey to first novel, Magnus Fin and
the Ocean Quest, while she
by the natural confluence
the Mountain was on a writer residency in
of stories, landscape and
cultural traditions. Exploring
Source Caithness, on Scotland’s north
coast. The book was awarded
regenerative culture lead
with Geeta Ramanujam him to the wild woods of
the Kelpies Prize 2009. Janis is
Massachusetts in 2015 to
Is there a spiritual dimension currently doing a PhD on the
embark on a fortnight of
to storytelling traditions? If theme of blending myth with
coyote mentoring. Douglas
so, where better to encounter life story, focusing on selkie
returned to Scotland with
it than in the Indian sub- legends as a path towards
a question: which cultural
continent? Geeta Ramanujam wellbeing and soul retrieval.
tools and natural elements
is a pioneer of the storytelling in Scotland can foster nature
movement in India and in connection and community
this workshop she takes us resilience today? What can
back to the ancient roots be shared through friendship
of her traditions in the and reconciliation to seed a
Himalayas. In addition to sustainable culture and meet
being an internationally the challenges of the
renowned storyteller, Geeta 21st century?
is an educator, academician
sisf.org.uk 19MON 26 OCT TUE 27 OCT bhuineas do dh’ eachdraidh
nan Gàidheal is gu leòr
eile às àiteachan eile is mu
Myths of the Living for bheatha dhaoine san latha
an-diugh. Bheir iad ort gàire
Corryvreckan the Sea a dhèanamh no a bhith
Whirlpool with YouthLink Scotland air bhioran no caoineadh.
Bidh Màrtainn cuideachd a’
& John Hamilton
with Seoras Macpherson gabhail òran on dualchas is
& Stuart McHardy YouthLink Scotland is the
chì e iad-sin na stòiridhean is
National Agency for youth
The Corryvreckan, between ceòl is bàrdachd a bhith nam
work. Over the last 18 months
Jura and Scarba, is the world’s pàirtean dhen aon chèilidh –
they have been delivering
third largest whirlpool and a dhen aon fhearas-cuideachd
the National Lottery Heritage
deep source of mythological fhallain bhlàth. B’ e Màrtainn
Funded project, On Our Wave
connections. This workshop a’ chiad cho-òrdanaiche a bh’
Length, which is a youth-led
enables a dialogue between air Tobar an Dualchais / Kist
research project exploring
storytelling traditions, of Riches is’s e fìor adhbhar
environmental impacts
archaeology and ecology. moit a th’ ann dha na chuir na
on coastal communities.
sgiobaidhean a lean fo dhìon
Seoras Macpherson is a Young researchers from
is an tairgse an t-sluaigh de
traditional seanchaí based across Scotland have been
ghuthan prìseil ar sìnnsearan.
on the Isle of Skye. His stories exploring environmental
come from family traditions issues that matter most to Martin MacIntyre has always
passed down through many them and their communities, respected the power of oral
generations in Skye and whether this be climate narrative to forge stronger
Argyll. His repertoire is rich change, pollution, impacts connections between people
with tales of fairies, water on wildlife, oceans and so on. and to achieve artistic and
horses and the seal people. The young researchers are therapeutic results. His stories
sharing their findings through include Ossianic wonder tales,
Stuart McHardy has pioneered storytelling both nationally those based on the historical
geo-mythography, studying and locally to help ensure traditions of the Scottish
specific locations and their that their key messages are Highlands and further afield
detailed features in the light spread throughout Scotland, and also modern stories of
of storytelling traditions. He hopefully for years to come. adventure, love and humor.
is a key collector of traditional A fluent Gaelic speaker, Martin
Scots stories and has devoted sings traditionally and sees
increasing time and energy
to sharing this work through
WED 28 OCT storytelling as an integral
component of the holistic
live storytelling. Much of ceilidh, which naturally
the research Stuart has Tobar an includes stories, song,
undertaken over the past
decade and a half is based Dualchais | Well music and poetry, to which
all can contribute. Martin
upon material from the oral
tradition, making the point
of Stories was the first coordinator of
with Màrtainn Mac an the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig led
that oral tradition can provide Tobar an Dualchais / Kist of
t-Saoir | Martin MacIntyre
relevant and otherwise Riches project, which has
unavailable source material Tha spèis air a bhith aig
now digitised and made
over centuries, if not millennia. Màrtainn Mac an t-Saoir
accessible online thousands
dha na sgeulachdan fad
of hours of oral material in
bhliadhnachan is mar a bheir
Gaelic, Scots and English from
iad daoine cruinn is a bheir
the archives of the School of
iad ioma seòrsa buannachd
Scottish Studies, University of
dhaibh. Bidh e ag innse
Edinburgh; BBC Alba and The
feadhainn na Fèinne cho
National Trust for Scotland
math ri feadhainn eile a
Canna Collections.
20 Box office: 0131 556 9579FRI 30 OCT The Earth Stories Collection with Grian Cutanda, Donald Smith & Earth Tellers Network This workshop opens a window onto the international effort to disseminate and learn from indigenous traditions, in the face of environmental crisis. Grian Cutanda is a researcher, educator, psychologist and author of 15 books. A social and environmental activist, he has been involved in the organisation of the People’s Climate March (Edinburgh, 2014) and in the creation of Extinction Rebellion in Spain and Mexico. Along with his wife Marta Ventura, Grian is also the founder of the Avalon Project - Initiative for a Culture of Peace, and of The Earth Stories Collection, a bank of traditional stories from all over the world. Donald Smith is Director of SISF, a community gardens activist and co-founder of Earth Story Tellers. Grian Cutanda Photo by Marta Ventura sisf.org.uk 21
GO
LOCAL
In these unprecedented times
we embrace, more than ever,
the ethos of slow travel and
invite you to rediscover the
place you live in through stories
and music. Find out more about
local storytelling events in
Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Heather Yule
Photo by David McIntosh
22 Box office: 0131 556 9579GO LOCAL EDINBURGH
DAILY SUN 18 OCT MON 19 OCT
Storytelling Scuttlebutt Spirit of the
Café Sessions Stories! Mountains
In-person | Indoor Open-mic In-person | Indoor Online | Live Broadcast
Scottish Storytelling Centre Padlox Escape Rooms 3pm (45mins) | Free (ticketed)
4pm (1hr 30) | £8 (£6) 4pm & 6pm (50mins) Beverley Bryant and Heather
Rediscover the joy of ‘eye By donation | 12+ Yule share stories of female
to eye, mind to mind and The Scuttlebutt was the spirits, goddesses and
heart to heart’ storytelling. barrel of water kept on a giantesses who inhabit
Wellbeing and connection ship’s deck and the place mountain ranges across the
flows through these daily to meet to tell stories and world. Held in association with
sessions as the core ethos, sing songs of the sea. Local the Petticoats and Pinnacles
with a special guest storyteller storyteller Jan Bee Brown exhibition at the National
and an open-floor section for and musician Toby Hawks Library of Scotland, join us
audience participation. invite you to join them for for an exploration of Scottish
Limited tickets available, some tall tales and spirited women who have climbed,
advance booking shanties, a heady blend walked and written about
recommended. Full listings of stories and songs of mountains. Hosted by the
will be available online. the sea that link Scotland National Library of Scotland.
and Scandinavia. Fill your Booking and Info:
boots with whirlpools, www.nls.uk/events
SAT 17 OCT winds, witches and whales,
nautical nonsense and some
curious Scandinavian string TUE 20 OCT
Edinburgh instruments.
Old Town
Booking and Info:
www.facebook.com/ Tales and
Family Day setsailwithstories Traditions
07799 852 162
In-person | Outdoor jbeebrown@me.com from Orkney
Scottish Storytelling Centre Online | Live Broadcast
11am & 12.30pm (50mins) 3pm (45mins) | Free (ticketed)
By donation (ticketed)
All Ages Inspired by photographs from
the MacKinnon Collection,
Celebrate the start of the Tom Muir shares some of
Storytelling Festival with the stories and lore of his
a session of stories, songs native Orkney. Hosted by the
and sunshine (yes please!) National Library of Scotland.
outdoors, in the heart of
Edinburgh’s Old Town. Booking and Info:
Presented in partnership www.nls.uk/events
with the Edinburgh Old
Town Development Trust
and subject to safety
guidelines in October.
sisf.org.uk 23MON 19 & education in ways that are still
Storytelling TUE 20 OCT
relevant today. Along the way,
you will hear traditional tales
Walks from this part of the world,
tales that we might imagine
In-person | Outdoor Enlightened a young Geddes heard at his
mother’s knee, which may
A bespoke series of story Eccentrics! have influenced his ideas
walks around Edinburgh with Jan Bee Brown about living in harmony with
locations, guided by 11am (1hr 30) | £10 (£8) the natural world.
storytellers with expert
knowledge and tales to From daring aeronauts and
tell. Story walks will be in decidedly dodgy doctors to SAT 24 OCT
small groups so advance stony-broke bankers and
booking is recommended. dedicated drinkers, storyteller
All walks start from the
Jan Bee Brown will be drinking Caddie Capers
a toast to some entrepreneurs
Scottish Storytelling Centre with Macastory
of the Enlightenment, inspired
unless otherwise stated by social satirist John Kay. 11am & 1pm (45mins) | £5 | 5+
and are subject to Scottish Kay published his first caustic Join the Old Town Caddies as
Government guidance in caricature in 1784 and his they take you for a tour
the autumn period. biting wit and satirical style of Auld Reekie in story, song
became so popular that he and rhyme. You’ll meet
refurbished his barber shop, characters such as Deacon
SUN 18 & re-opening to sell his prints of
his colourful clientele. There is
Brodie and Aggie the Fish
Wife as the caddies lead
FRI 23 OCT a story behind every print, you through the cobbled
a song or two and many a streets and closes to share
close shave… so walk this the secrets of old Edinburgh
Scotland’s way for a jaunt around Kay’s with you! Interactive
favourite haunts!
Democracy Trail storytelling with the always
entertaining Macastory.
with Jean Bareham,
Greenyonder Tours WED 21 &
11am (2hrs) | £10 (£8) WED 28 OCT
Whether it’s IndyRef2, Brexit,
Project Fear or Project Farce,
how we do democracy is By Leaves We
a hot topic in Scotland.
In 2014’s Independence
Live: Patrick
Referendum, many thousands Geddes Story
of people in Scotland even
got enthusiastic about it! This
Tour of the
walking tour takes a gentle Old Town
uphill path to the top of with Alette Willis
Calton Hill to tell a 500-year-
old story of democracy in 11am (1hr 30) | £10 (£8)
Scotland, much of it almost Walk in the footsteps of the
forgotten. Using the fabulous great Victorian polymath,
views of the city, the tour will Patrick Geddes, who made
show you the clues that live his home in St James court
on in Edinburgh’s landscape. and shaped the community
We then take a downhill stroll and gardens of the Old Town.
to the Scottish Parliament Learn how Geddes’ ideas
to bring the story right up shaped the fields of botany,
to present day. ecology, town planning and Storytelling Walk
Photo by Solen Collet
24 Box office: 0131 556 9579SUN 25 & TUE 27 & WED 21 & 28,
SAT 31 OCT FRI 30 OCT SAT 24 & 31 OCT
Black History The Witches Enchanted
Walking Tour Walk Garden: Paths
of Edinburgh with Lea Taylor
& Mary Craig
of Stories
with Lisa Williams, Royal Botanic Garden
11am (1hr 30) | £10 (£8)
Edinburgh Caribbean Edinburgh, West Gate &
Association Take a wander with John Hope Gateway
storytellers Lea Taylor and 1pm & 3pm (50mins)
11am (1hr 30) | £10 (£8)
Mary Craig, walking where Free (ticketed)
Hear the fascinating but little- the witches feared to tread!
known stories of Edinburgh’s Tune in with nature and
Passing St Giles Cathedral
deep connections with Africa, rediscover the pleasure of
and the National Library
Asia and the Caribbean over strolling amongst trees while
of Scotland, they will take
the past 500 years. The walk listening to beautiful stories.
you down Victoria Street to
around the centre of the city Scottish storytellers Amanda
the Grassmarket and then
will make you see Edinburgh’s Edmiston, Daniel Allison,
up again to the Witches’
statues and buildings in a Daniel Serridge and Jane
Well by Edinburgh Castle.
whole new way! Mather will guide you on
In this fun, informative and
storywalks through the Royal
interactive walk, Lea and
Botanic Garden unveiling the
Mary will intrigue and delight
untold stories of trees and
you with the gore, the facts
wildlife. All storywalks depart
and fiction and a little more
from the John Hope Gateway,
besides. Bring umbrellas (this
meeting at the Real Life
is Scotland after all) and a
Science Studio.
willingness to take part!
Booking and Info:
0131 248 2909
sisf.org.uk 25GO LOCAL SCOTLAND
Clackman- Dumfries & Glasgow
nanshire Galloway THU 22 OCT
Alloa Dumfries
MON 19 - FRI 9 - Sangs an’
SAT 24 OCT FRI 16 OCT Clatter:
Campfire Tales
Whispering Wild Goose In-person | Outdoors
Waters Festival: Nature, Damshot Woods, Pollok.
In-person | Outdoor and Creativity & Meet at The Village
Storytelling Centre,
Online | Live broadcast
Place Langton Halls, Langton Road,
Local storytellers Joanne Held in Dumfries and its Pollok, G53 5DD
Dowd, Susan Chown, Jack surroundings, the Wild Goose 6pm (2hrs) | Free (ticketed),
Stravaiger and Janet Crawford Festival uses the migratory donations welcome
invite you to an enticing mix route of the Barnacle Geese A cosy evening of songs
of watery tales. Join the Go between Svalbard and and tales around the
Local online tales night, or the Solway Estuary to join campfire in Damshot Woods,
the Spooky Story Walk from people, nature and ideas. In with special guest storytellers
Tillicoultry to the haunted connection with the Scottish and musicians alongside
Tait’s Tomb in Dollar. Enjoy International Storytelling regular Village storytellers.
more stories at the interactive Festival and produced by Refreshments provided.
story evening, or come along The Stove Network, the Wild Hosted by The Village
to the Whispering Waters, Goose Festival unites key Storytelling Centre. Planned
Live Saturday Story afternoon partners – WWT Caerlaverock with COVID-19 restrictions
and hear about local legends Wetland Centre, Scottish in mind.
of sea gods, maidens, mists, Natural Heritage, Moat
wells and warlocks. Planned Tickets and Info:
Brae Centre for Children’s 0141 882 3025
with COVID-19 restrictions Literature and Storytelling,
in mind. info@villagestorytelling.org.uk
University of Glasgow,
Booking and Info: Creative Futures and PAMIS
www.facebook.com/ (Promoting a More Inclusive
hillfootstales Society) – in an exploration Lanarkshire
hillfootstales@gmail.com of nature, creativity and
place. Planned with COVID-19
restrictions in mind.
OCT - NOV
Programme and Info:
www.thestove.org/wild- Doon the Watter
goose-festival
In-person | Outdoors
Summerlee Museum of
Industrial Life, Heritage Way,
Coatbridge, ML5 1QD | Free
From the Broomielaw Wharves
we begin our journey down the
River Clyde, or ‘doon the watter’,
with storyteller and singer Gerry
26 Box office: 0131 556 9579Durkin. Passengers gather
on board for a trip calling at
Greenock Princes Pier, Gourock,
Dunoon and Rothesay before
cruising into the Kyles, or up
Loch Striven or possibly to Largs
and around the Cumbraes.
It’s the Fair Fortnight holiday,
full to this day of memories,
songs and nostalgia. But will
the staycation bring it all back?
And what exactly did ‘steaming’
mean on these journeys…?
In partnership with the
Summerlee Museum of Scottish
Jan Bee Brown and Toby Hawks
Industrial Life. Planned with Photo by Sheila Masson
COVID-19 restrictions in mind.
Tickets and Info:
culturenl.co.uk/summerlee among those who came to meet magical beings who
take its sulphurous waters, we believe will bless and heal
visit the airy pavilion and us. Planned with COVID-19
Highlands
promenade through the restrictions in mind.
gardens. In 2007 five giant Booking and Info:
statues appeared in the www.universalhall.co.uk
SAT 28 NOV gardens, all related to local and
Highland legends. This short
Tickets can only be booked
online
film by Bob Pegg tells the
Maelrubha’s Day stories of the statues and the
North East
Spa Gardens themselves.
Online | Pre-recorded
3pm (6mins) | Free
This short film by Bob Pegg Moray Aberdeen
tells - in music and images - of SAT 3 OCT
a day in the life of St Maelrubha, Findhorn
the Irish monk who founded a
monastery in Applecross over FRI 13 NOV Salty Tales fae
1300 years ago. Maelrubha
spent his last days as a hermit Shore tae Sea
on Isle Maree in the middle of In the Flow In-person | Outdoor or
Loch Maree in Wester Ross,
where the story is set.
at Findhorn Online | Pre-recorded
In-person | Indoors and Mercat Cross, Castle Street,
Online | Live broadcast Aberdeen, AB11 5HP
Tales from Universal Hall, The Park,
2pm (2hrs) | Free (ticketed)
the Spa Findhorn, IV36 3TZ Smugglers, shipwrecks an ither
wattery happenins wi storyteller
7.30pm (1hr 30)
Gardens £10 (£5 children) Grace Banks. If possible, this will
Adults and 10+ be a face-to-face event with
Online | Pre-recorded a small audience, otherwise
Join storytellers Peter Vallance, it will be pre-recorded and
3pm (20mins) | Free Margot Henderson and Carol presented online. Planned
In Victorian times the village Scorer in a special evening of with COVID-19 restrictions
of Strathpeffer in Ross-shire stories and songs. Following in mind.
was the most northerly spa in VisitScotland’s theme of Coasts
Britain. Florence Nightingale, and Waters, the storytellers Booking and Info:
Robert Louis Stevenson and will take you on a voyage of www.facebook.com/GBanks22
George Bernard Shaw were discovery to other worlds to jackietales@msn.com
sisf.org.uk 27MON 12 OCT WED 28 OCT Cabrach
SUN 25 OCT
Sinister an A Tapestry of
Spooky Stories Life – The Hills Old an New
fae the North An In Atween Tales fae
East Online | Pre-recorded The Cabrach
Online | Open-mic 6.30pm | Free Online | Live broadcast
Zoom The film wis inspired by Facebook Live
7pm (3hrs) | Free (ticketed) the question, ‘How can we @CabrachTrust
Donations welcome support oor next generations 2pm (2hrs) | By donation
t love an care for their land if
Five of the North East’s A mix o auld an new stories
they dinna hae a connection
finest storytellers explore featurin the Blackwater an
wi nature?’. Storytellers Grace
the region’s darker side in a the Deveron wi Jackie Ross.
Banks an Sheena Blackhall set
collaborative online evening Presented live online from
out on a journey wi pupils fae
of sinister and spooky stories. The Cabrach. There may also
four schools to explore the run
Join us to learn of the North be a small audience allowed
o the rivers o Dee an Don fae
East’s ghosts and ghoulies, at the Acorn Centre in The
the Cairngorms tae Aberdeen.
its witches and warlocks. But Cabrach.
Their wonder an discoveries
don’t just listen – we want Booking and Info:
are woven throughout in
you to share your own tales www.facebook.com/
thochts, pictures, poetry, sang
too. Whether you’re from CabrachTrust
an stories, agin a backdrop o
the North East or whether jackietales@msn.com
wunnerfu sichts an soonds
you’ve moved to Scotland
fae river, land an sea.
from elsewhere, we want
to know the spooky stories
you’ve grown up with, or Ballater Orkney
maybe even experienced
yourself. The event is open to SUN 18 OCT THU 22 –
all brave souls. With Jackie
Ross, Grace Banks, Sheena SUN 25 OCT
Blackhall, Pauline Cordiner Tales Fae
and Diane Peers. Hosted by
the Elphinstone Institute, the Clachan Orkney
University of Aberdeen. Online | Pre-recorded Storytelling
Booking and Info:
www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/ Facebook Live Festival
public-engagement/scottish- @storiesfaethehowe
2pm (2hrs) | Free Online | Live broadcast and
international-storytelling- Online | Pre-recorded
festival Come an jyne Sheena
Blackhall online for an The small festival with a big
elphinstone@abdn.ac.uk
entertainin efterneen o sangs, heart has reached its 11th
stories an poems fae Ballater edition this year, featuring
an there aboots. Filmed a blend of pre-recorded
at Deeside Inn, Ballater, storytelling and live-streamed
streamed live on Facebook. events where local storytellers
Info: jackietales@msn.com can observe social distancing.
At this time of uncertainty
and the disturbing increase
in hate speech and violence
in some sectors of society,
stories are more important
than ever. Why? Because they
28 Box office: 0131 556 9579bring people together.
They carry our values and THU 29 OCT West Lothian
morality. They are inclusive to
all people, as human beings.
The Song OCTOBER -
As the old Scots saying goes,
‘Wir a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns’. of Tatha NOVEMBER
Booking and Info:
In-person | Indoors and/or
www.orkneystorytelling
festival.co.uk
Online | Live broadcast From the Avon
Aberfeldy Town Hall, to the Almond
2 Crieff Rd, Aberfeldy
– The Forth’s
Perthshire PH15 2BJ
6.30pm (1hr) Forgotten
In-person: £5 (£3) | Online: £5
Aberfeldy Adults and 10+ Waters
FRI 23, SAT 24 Water has memory. Held in In-person | Outdoors
the rivers, lochs and burns of
& SUN 25 OCT Breadalbane are many stories. Various Locations | Free
Tales of urisks, gruagachs, Two long rivers wind from
kelpies and water spirits offer central Scotland through
Of Kelpies, us a glimpse of the deep West Lothian to the Firth of
Crannogs interconnection between
these elemental beings, the
Forth. They are flowing with
ecological and historical
and Urisks land and the people who surprises, and are both part of
have made this their home. a major conservation effort.
In-person | Indoors Why not get out and about
Storytellers and musicians
Scottish Crannog Centre, Claire Hewitt, Ceit Langhorne on a guided or self-guided
Aberfeldy PH15 2HY and Munro Gauld, inspired by route to explore these often
6pm (1hr) | £5 (£4 seniors the River Tay and Highland forgotten rivers? See signs of
and children 5-16) Perthshire’s rich collection of shy creatures, reviving rivers
stories, songs and music, offer and hidden history of our past.
As the dark winter nights
draw in, come join us round you a magical and unique Delivered with the RiverLife:
the fire at twilight at the evening set in a specially Almond & Avon project, part
Scottish Crannog Centre, created multi-sensory space. of the Forth Rivers Trust.
beside the waters of Loch Tay, The event is part of a project Supported by the National
for a feast of stories and music in collaboration with the Lottery Heritage Fund.
to warm the heart. For three Scottish Crannog Centre and
Tickets and Info:
evenings, storytellers Graham TRACS - Traditional Arts and
www.forthriverstrust.org
Liney and Claire Hewitt, Culture Scotland, supported
with musician Munro Gauld, by The Andy Hunter Bursary.
will weave a magical spell Booking and Info:
of ancient tales connected www.birkscinema.co.uk/
to Highland Perthshire’s community-hub
watery elemental beings, in
a celebration of community
and kindness. Each gathering
will last one hour and will
comply in accordance with all
safe distancing regulations in
place at the time.
Booking and Info:
www.crannog.co.uk
sisf.org.uk 29FEED THE
GREEN SHOOTS!
Donate to the Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Storytellers, musicians and dancers
are working across Scotland to
nourish the sustainable communities
of the future. You can support the
work of TRACS (Traditional Arts
and Culture Scotland) by making a
one-off donation, helping to enrich
the traditional arts community as
we struggle to recover from the
Coronavirus pandemic.
Photo by Peter Dibdin
Our online festival events are mainly
free, but if you are in a position to
donate our suggested donation is
£5 per event.
As a registered charity we rely on
the generous support of our friends,
funders, sponsors and trusts. We
could not do what we do without
your help.
Thank you! Photo by Colin Hattersley
To donate please go to sisf.org.uk
30 Box office: 0131 556 9579THROUGH THE
ROUND WINDOW
There’s a world of adventure on the Scottish
islands. Recreate journeys of the past or
make your memories of tomorrow.
Every Journey Starts a Story at
calmac.co.uk/signupVENUE DETAILS WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
0131 556 9579
www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com
Padlox Escape Rooms
1 Carpet Ln, EH6 6SS
www.padlox.co.uk
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
West Gate & John Hope Gateway
Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ
0131 248 2909
www.rbge.org.uk
Cover image:
St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church Digitally edited version of
‘I Met my Love by the Harbour’
14 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW
by James Adams
0131 622 2277
www.stcolumbasbythecastle.org.uk jamesnewtonadams.co.uk
Box office: 0131 556 9579 | sisf.org.uk | #SISFInTheFlow
Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (SCIO, SC043009) is
a collaborative alliance designed to improve the knowledge,
practice, development and advocacy of Scotland’s traditional arts
in a contemporary world. TRACS brings together the Scottish
Storytelling Forum (SC020891), Traditional Dance Forum of
Scotland (SC045085) and Traditional Music Forum (SC042867).
TRACS is currently based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Our Partners
Special thanks to Edinburgh partners:
National Library of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature,
Padlox Escape Rooms, Edinburgh Caribbean Association, Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust and
Greenyonder Tours.
Special thanks to regional partners:
Orkney Storytelling Festival, Wild Goose Festival, Elphinstone Institute, The Village Storytelling Centre,
Universal Hall, Hillfoots Tales, The Cabrach Trust, Aberfeldy Town Hall, Scottish Crannog Centre, Birks
Cinema, RiverLife, Forth Rivers Trust and the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life.
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