The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue and the world’s first purpose-built Centre for live storytelling, programming a year-round traditional arts calendar of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events and festivals.

The Centre’s ethos can be summed up nicely by the Scottish Traveller proverb, “The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart”, which suggests a welcoming spirit, inclusive nature and a place where anybody can share their creativity and humanity. The building is owned by the Church of Scotland (Scottish Charity No SCO11353) and has a programming partnership with TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) (SCIO SC043009), hosting the Scottish International Storytelling Festival each autumn and operating as a base for their national work across Scotland and beyond.

Opened in 2006, the Scottish Storytelling Centre is dedicated to preserving and recounting stories and the traditional arts so that future generations can enjoy them just as much as their forebears. Extending a warm welcome to all who venture inside, it is a fantastic central venue on Edinburgh’s Old Town High Street, where it forms a bustling arts venue that celebrates the nation’s cultural heritage.

‘This joyful, noisy, energy-filled space brims with a love of live storytelling and its power to make us think and imagine. 10/10!’ (The Guardian)

We’re a great meeting place where you can experience Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.

In the Storytelling Court you will find an interactive Storywall which is always enjoyed by children (and adults too!)

Find Greyfriars Bobby; catch the frog; meet Nessie, the Gruffalo and Wee Willie Winkie; and discover traditional Scottish tales. You can also listen to excerpts from Edinburgh’s most famous storyteller, Robert Louis Stevenson, and we always have a free exhibition on display from artists across Scotland and beyond.

Swap your own stories in our Cafe over some delicious home baking and great coffee.

Browse our bookshop in the medieval luckenbooths of John Knox House and see if you can spot our dragon’s nest and time capsule hiding among the books.

43-45 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SR

  Lothian Bus Service Number 35 goes along the High Street or you can get the number 5, 7, 8 or 14 buses which stop on North Bridge.

  The Centre is a short walk from Waverley station if you take the Market Street exit to the station. Trainline works with 270 rail and coach companies to offer their customers travel to thousands of destinations in Europe. Plan your journey, by using their helpful Trainline search tool.

  Visitors can be dropped off outside the centre & there is a taxi rank across the road, in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel.

There’s pay-&-display on High Street, Jeffrey Street, St. Mary’s Street, Niddry Street and Blackfriar’s Street, a multi-storey car park at St John’s Hill and facilities at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Check out Your Parking Space or Just Park to book in advance or see availability on the day.

As a venue that is part of the Green Arts Initiative, we recommend public transport when possible.

You can find the exact location of our entrances via the What3Words link as follows:

JKH Level Access Door

Scottish Storytelling Centre Entrance

Read Access Statement