May Day, known as Beltane in Gaelic, marks the beginning of summer in the Scottish Calendar. Yet some still argue that the Scots are a pessimistic nation… Whatever the weather, traditionally life moved outdoors on 1 May after the long dark days of winter and TRACS is marking the celebration this year in traditional and … Continued

This Easter Saturday 20 April, swap your chocolate bunnies and easter eggs for some pickled herring and sailor’s yarn, as Jan Bee Brown, also known as Captain Annie, opens her treasure trove of nasty nautical tales at ‘Worse Things Happen at Sea’. If you are looking to keep your family entertained during the Easter holidays, … Continued

The Storytelling Centre’s April- June programme celebrates renewal & reawakening, with traditions showcased & shared for contemporary times, from May Day to Midsummer.   April springs into action with events celebrating new life and nature, with storytelling for all ages. Jan Bee Brown shares nautical stories, visiting Norwegian troupe Story Squad share the traditional folktale and … Continued

Storytellers Daiva Ivanauskaitė and Franziska Droll shake up the perceptions of women and the role of stepmothers in popular culture – just ahead of Mothering Sunday – with an event on Thursday 28 March at the Centre. Is the word ‘stepmother’ still synonymous with ‘wicked’? Daiva and Franziska explore how the role of stepmother is … Continued

World Storytelling Day, on Wednesday 20 March, will be marked in Edinburgh this year with inspiring events honouring one of Scotland’s finest contemporary storytellers, Andy Hunter, who was a pioneer for how storytelling can help navigate a world of climate and communication chaos by reconnecting to nature. Re-Storying Our Planet follows Andy’s environmental journeys across … Continued

The Centre’s spring programme takes you deeper into seasonal change & further into understanding our natural connections.   Beginning with the traditional festival of Bride in February (sometimes called Imbolc in other Celtic cultures), where our ancestors faced down the last throes of winter, we welcome an exhibition around Duncan Williamson’s Wonder Tales, which heads up … Continued

It’s fitting that Scotland’s national Centre for storytelling is honouring one of its most memorable enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to enjoy his stories told live, as well as a workshop to empower you to tell these fantastic tales. A three-fold exhibition of visual art, poetry and folk music brings to life the legacy of storyteller Duncan … Continued

We did a recent collaboration with myhotelbreak.com on why their guests should visit us here at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Find out what they discovered below: Having great attractions near to where you’re staying adds to a hotel break. For our guests looking for hotels in Edinburgh we highly recommend adding the Scottish Storytelling Centre … Continued

It’s that time of the year, when Scots and Scots-at-heart gather to celebrate one of the country’s lyrical sensations and national treasure, Robert Burns. Born on a stormy night in Alloway on the 25th of January 1759, the 18th Century poet continues to touch people with his timeless prose, illustrating topics such as injustice, hypocrisy … Continued

Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) are on a mission to rejuvenate midwinter traditions in Scotland with seasonal folk dramas, to enrich community life and ensure all ages can get involved over the coldest of seasons, connecting the old and new through song and dance, signifying the death and rebirth of a new year. ‘The … Continued