News

North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC) 2026 Programme Announced

Singer Claire Frances MacNeil stands smiling in a lane surrounding by green foliage.

📷 Claire Frances MacNeil by Martyn MacDonald

Full registration and tickets now on sale for Edinburgh gathering of international traditional singers

The Traditional Music Forum of Scotland (TMFS) and partners are pleased to announce the launch of the North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC) 2026 programme, with registration and tickets now open for all events. The convention will take place from 6 to 8 March 2026 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, bringing together singers, scholars, and song enthusiasts from across the North Atlantic region.

NASC is an intimate, international gathering dedicated to the unaccompanied song traditions of the North Atlantic region. Created in 2020 to build meaningful connections between singers, it brings together tradition bearers, students, educators, and enthusiasts from many cultures to learn, share, and collaborate in a supportive environment. With typically 60 to 80 participants, the convention blends workshops, song circles, discussions, and performances, creating a rare space where everyone is valued equally regardless of background or experience.

Guest artists and speakers at NASC 2026 include Synnøve Brøndbo Plassen (Norway), Steve Byrne (Scotland), Óskar Freyr Guðnason (Sweden), Bennett Konesni (USA), Claire Frances MacNeil (Scotland), Angeline Morrison (England), Hazel Marsh (England), alongside three Irish singers supported by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, and two England-based singers supported by Access Folk.

The 2026 convention opens with a keynote by Angeline Morrison, the award-winning English folk singer, songwriter, and researcher whose work explores the intersections of heritage, identity, and the transformative potential of traditional song. Her address will reflect on the universality and healing power of song and consider how shared musical traditions connect people across time, place, and culture.

Registration and tickets are available via the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s online booking system. Delegates may choose a full weekend pass or book individual events. Concession rates are offered, including for TMFS members. Full programme details are available on the NASC website.

Brian Ó hEadhra, Director of NASC and the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland, said:
“We are pleased to launch the NASC 2026 programme, the first under the stewardship of the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland and TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). The expanded board and international line-up reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusive practice and Scotland’s place within our North Atlantic song traditions.”

Ceara Conway, Board Member and representative of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, said:
“Ealaín na Gaeltachta is delighted to support Cathal Ó Curráin, Ellen De Burca, and Órla Ní Fhinneadha, from the Gaeltacht regions to attend NASC 2026. Their involvement strengthens connections between singing communities and highlights the vitality of our Gaelic singing traditions.”

Esbjörn Wettermark, Board Member representing Access Folk at Sheffield University, said:
“Access Folk is proud to support Gemma Khawaja and Femi Oriogun-Williams to take part in NASC 2026. The convention remains an essential space for exchange, reflection, and participation across the North Atlantic singing community.”

Event Details

North Atlantic Song Convention (NASC) 2026
6–8 March 2026
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh

Full weekend and individual event tickets available now.
Programme includes concerts, workshops, panels, and song circles.
Concession rates available.

Full access information, event descriptions, and booking links can be found via the Scottish Storytelling Centre website.

NASC is supported by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) through Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.

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News

TRACS Appointed Community Support Hub for Scotland’s Living Heritage

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is delighted to have been appointed by the UK Government’s Department of Culture Media and Sport as one of the UK’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Community Support Hubs. As a Hub, our role is to support communities, practitioners, and tradition bearers to engage with the national Living Heritage Inventory process and to champion the richness of Scotland’s traditional arts and cultural practices.

What this means

As a Community Support Hub, we’ll provide practical guidance, create space for conversation, and help groups and individuals navigate the process of proposing elements for the Scottish ICH Inventory. We’ll also work to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding our Living Heritage across Scotland and provide practical advice.

Our commitments

  • Two practitioner roundtables bringing together artists, tradition bearers, and cultural organisations to discuss the Living Heritage Inventory process, good safeguarding practices and offer a chance to network with relevant organisations and key partners.
  • Weekly ICH Office Hour with the TRACS team, open to anyone who wants to explore Living Heritage, ask questions, or seek support with preparing a Scottish Inventory submission.
  • A series of online workshops for communities across Scotland covering traditional dance, storytelling, music, indigenous languages, and customs, all designed to offer guidance on the inventory process, answer questions, and strengthen understanding of Scotland’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

We’ll be sharing full details and dates soon – follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to stay in the loop. If you would like to contact us to discuss Living Heritage and how we can support you, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

The ICH inventory process is now live, to learn more please visit the official Living Heritage in the UK website: www.livingheritage.unesco.org.uk

Call for Submissions – Living Heritage in the UK

A call for submissions has opened for inventories of living heritage in the UK, asking communities to submit their traditions and heritage practices.

An area of heritage often overlooked, living heritage (or ‘intangible cultural heritage’) includes folklore, performance, customs and crafts that are passed on from generation to generation.

Living Heritage is a broad subject that can include everything from bell-ringing to boat-building, cèilidh to carnival, pantomime to pancake day, highland games to Eisteddfod, Lambeg drumming to long sword dancing, and dry-stone walling to wassailing.

Seven categories will be used for the inventories (although a lot of practices sit in multiple categories): oral expressions; social practices; performing arts; land, nature and spirituality; crafts; sports and games; and culinary practices.

The inventories are being set up by the Governments of the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following the UK joining the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage last year.

The call for submissions will be open for 4 months until Friday 27 March. During this period, there are a range of information sessions, workshops and events, including those from a range of designated Community Support Hubs who can provide help and guidance. More details here www.livingheritage.unesco.org.uk

The inventories will provide a snapshot of all the different types of living heritage across the UK: from popular to niche and old to new. Their purpose is to both raise awareness and to start a conversation about the value of this heritage, paving the way for future efforts to improve its safeguarding.

Read TRACS’s Wee Guide to Intangible Cultural Heritage and find out more about ICH in Scotland.

 

 

 

News

TRACS Is Looking for a Finance Officer

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is looking to appoint a Finance Officer to manage its day-to-day financial operations as it moves into the next phase of Multi-Year Funding, delivering the organisation’s Business Plan for supporting the traditional arts sector in Scotland.

This is a key role that will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board Treasurer to ensure financial discipline and efficiency across the organisation. Reporting to the CEO,  the Finance Officer offers expert financial support and assistance towards the delivery of the organisation’s mission and key objectives as laid out in the Business Plan.

The Finance Officer will be responsible for producing timely and accurate financial information (using Xero cloud accounting), monitoring budgets, tracking grant receipt and spend, analysing costs, and providing insights to support business performance and strategic decision-making. The Finance Officer will regularly attend and report to the TRACS Board Finance & Risk Committee, chaired by the Board Treasurer.

About TRACS

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is a co-operative network which champions our shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and Scotland’s languages.

Bringing together two artform forums – the Traditional Music Forum of Scotland and Scottish Storytelling Forum – as well as networks for traditional dance and crafts, TRACS exists to empower communities across Scotland to discover, develop and practise their unique traditional arts and heritage as part of our everyday life.

TRACS is an accredited Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) advisor to UNESCO on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), and a founding member of the ICH Scotland Partnership.

TRACS is supported by Creative Scotland through Multi-Year Funding, and the City of Edinburgh Council’s revenue grant scheme.


Key information

  • Hours: 0.6 FTE (21 hours per week)
  • Contract: Fixed term to 31st July 2027, with option to extend, subject to funding
  • Salary: £18,900 (£31,500 per annum pro rata)
  • Location: TRACS office at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Some hybrid/remote working by negotiation.
  • Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 5th January 2026
  • Interviews: Week beginning Monday 12th January 2026


Could this be me?

You will be a qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or part-qualified accountant with an undergraduate degree and at least three years of organisational accounting or bookkeeping experience, ideally gained within an arts or charity setting. You will have strong skills in costing, budgeting, and financial reporting, along with hands-on experience using cloud accounting software – particularly Xero – and working with charity accounts, including restricted and designated funds.

Highly analytical and detail-focused, you’re confident with digital tools, cloud-based workspaces, advanced Excel, and modern filing systems.

You’re an organised self-starter who can manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and communicate financial information clearly to colleagues. Personally, you act with integrity, handle confidential information with discretion, and work well both independently and collaboratively. You’re forward-thinking and able to adapt with ease in demanding situations, ideally with a commitment to Scotland’s traditional arts.


How to apply

  1. Download the full recruitment pack here
  2. Send your CV with a covering letter to [email protected]

If you require an application form in another format, please email [email protected]

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

TRACS commits itself to meeting the aims and commitments set out in its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.  This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.

TRACS is an accredited Living Wage Employer, committed to paying a wage based on the cost of living to our staff.

Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 5th January 2026

News

Momentum Builds for Scotland’s Living Traditions at the 2025 Intangible Culture Heritage Conference in Perth

Though the morning was frosty, there was a distinct warmth in Perth Theatre on Friday 14 November as artists, community tradition-bearers, academics and cultural leaders came together, both in person and online, for the third annual Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Conference. Organised and funded by the ICH Scotland Partnership – Creative Scotland, TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), Historic Environment Scotland and Museum Galleries Scotland – and supported by Perth & Kinross Council with endorsement from Perth UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art, the conference focussed on the theme Moving Forward with Living Heritage.

On the eve of Scotland launching the process for developing its own national inventory of Living Heritage practices, the first step in a UK-wide process led by the Department of Culture Media and Sport, communities showed a growing interest in gaining recognition, understanding their traditions, and exploring what sustained practice looks like. The day’s programme reflected that shift from policy toward practice: there was a busy, purposeful buzz in the theatre as practitioners, curators, policymakers and community representatives exchanged experience and explored next steps.

Speakers and contributors included Poppy Jarrat, UNESCO Programme Officer Perth, musician and broadcaster Gary West, and presentations from master kilt-maker Marion Foster, traditional dance specialist Pat Ballantyne, Scots singer and artist Quinie, and storyteller and Traveller Jess Smith. Mark A Hall led a tour of Perth Museum exploring the museum’s role in safeguarding Living Heritage, and organisations including Culture Vannin and GalGael contributed case studies of community-led work.

Steve Byrne, CEO of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), reflects on the day: “It’s exciting to see how far Scotland’s cultural sector has come in recognising and supporting living heritage. The upcoming launch of the national inventory is just a first step, but it creates real opportunities to connect with communities across the country and celebrate the richness of their traditions on their own terms.

The conference highlighted both the diversity of practice already happening and the curiosity and energy people have, to share and sustain it. The ICH partnership plays a vital role in bringing together government, public bodies, and community organisations to ensure these conversations continue, and that Scotland’s living heritage thrives for generations to come.”

The formal programme concluded with an evening ceilidh, which offered a vivid, practical example of ICH in action: people coming together to share songs, music, stories and poetry in the beautiful art and community space at Osteria Bau Bau. It was a reminder that living heritage only thrives when it is practised, passed on, and open for communities to engage with. The evening brought to life the very purpose of the sector’s work, creating the conditions for traditions to continue, flourish, and connect people across Scotland.

You can find out more about Intangible Cultural Heritage and TRACS’s work by clicking this link on our website – What We Do TRACS and Living Heritage.

News

TRACS Is Looking for a Festival Director for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival

image of a tote bag saying "see where the story takes you"

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is looking to appoint a new Festival Director to lead the delivery of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) from 2026.

Founded in 1989, SISF is the world’s largest celebration of storytelling, anchored in Scotland, a nation of storytellers. SISF takes place in October each year, offering a vibrant programme of live performances, workshops, gatherings, talks and family events in Edinburgh and nationwide.

As part of the Festivals Edinburgh network, SISF has a strong local, national, and international profile. It is recognised as a leading platform for storytelling and traditional arts, and as a key showcase for Scotland’s year-round storytelling activity led by the Scottish Storytelling Forum, one of the members of TRACS.

The core programme of SISF is delivered in Edinburgh at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, with SISF’s national programme encompassing Story Ripple, developed with the Scottish Storytelling Forum, and Go Local, delivered with partners, regional festivals, and venues across Scotland.

Reporting to the TRACS CEO, the SISF Festival Director plays a crucial leadership role, steering and supporting the planning, programming, delivery, evaluation and reporting of the Festival. The new Director will also be responsible for ensuring the Festival’s vigorous and viable future through the formulation of a robust strategic plan, the development of a strong core operational team, and assisting with securing additional streams of funding.

SISF is organised by TRACS, a co-operative network which champions our shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and Scotland’s languages. TRACS is supported by Creative Scotland through Multi-Year Funding, and the City of Edinburgh Council’s revenue grant scheme. SISF is supported by Scottish Government Expo Funding.

  • Hours: 1.0 FTE (35 hours per week) with the option of 0.8 FTE (28 hours per week) by negotiation
  • Contract: Fixed term, 12 months, with the option to extend for a further year subject to funding
  • Salary: £42,000 per annum (1.0 FTE) (£33,600 at 0.8 FTE)
  • Location: TRACS office at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Some hybrid/remote working by negotiation.
  • Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 1st December 2025
  • Interviews: Week beginning Monday 8th December 2025, with potential second interviews the week beginning Monday 15th December.


Could this be me?
The SISF Festival Director will be a strong advocate for oral storytelling in Scotland as a key component of Scotland’s thriving traditional arts sector. You will have significant experience within Scotland’s arts and culture sector, with a clear commitment to fostering creative excellence, encouraging participation, and promoting cultural collaboration.

You will provide strategic and artistic leadership to build on SISF’s established reputation as a meeting place for tradition bearers, emerging voices, and international artists, ensuring it continues to celebrate Scotland’s storytelling traditions and support the key aims of the Scottish Storytelling Forum while creating opportunities for innovation, artistic exploration, and reaching new audiences.

A confident and engaging communicator, you will represent the Festival and TRACS across a range of settings, engaging positively with a range of stakeholders, including the media, board members, staff, Festivals Edinburgh colleagues, funders, local and national government and the general public.

You will have demonstrable experience of successfully curating and delivering diverse arts or cultural programmes within a recognised festival or venue. You will also have a strong track record in project management, business planning, and partnership development.

As an effective leader, you will be able to inspire and motivate a team, fostering collaboration and shared purpose to deliver your creative vision for SISF and contribute to the wider success of Scotland’s traditional arts sector.

How to apply

  1. Download the full recruitment pack here
  2. Send your CV with a covering letter to [email protected]

If you require an application form in another format, please email [email protected]

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

TRACS commits itself to meeting the aims and commitments set out in its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.

TRACS is an accredited Living Wage Employer, committed to paying a wage based on the cost of living to our staff.

Application Deadline: 9am on Monday 1st December 2025

News

TRACS Traditional Arts Mentoring 2026

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is delighted to be delivering another cycle of TRACS Traditional Arts Mentoring, with the support of Creative Scotland and partners.

This programme supports the professional and personal development of traditional arts practitioners in Scotland, reinforcing TRACS’ key work in enhancing the knowledge, practice, access and sustainability of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and languages. The cycle will run from January-June 2026 and is led by TRACS Traditional Arts Mentoring Co-ordinator, Jo Miller.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a process in which an experienced individual (‘mentor’) helps another person (‘mentee’) to develop goals and skills through a series of time-limited, confidential, one-to-one conversations. This process is known as mentorship.

Mentors also benefit through sharing their own learning, evolving their thinking, developing new relationships, and deepening their mentoring skills.

How does TRACS Traditional Arts Mentoring work?

Two mentorship opportunities for mentees will be offered in the following artforms:

  • Traditional Dance
  • Traditional Music
  • Traditional Song
  • Traditional Storytelling
  • Gaelic language (in combination with one of the above artforms)
  • Scots language (in combination with one of the above artforms)

 

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work one-to-one over 6 months with an experienced mentor in their chosen artform. This will be a mutually supportive dialogue, responding to mentees’ individual priorities and respecting different backgrounds and learning styles. Conversations may deal with topics such as creative approaches, professional challenges, confidence, and identifying training needs.

Meetings are likely to be mostly online, but some in-person contact is strongly encouraged. There will also be gatherings involving all participants, providing opportunities for peer learning.

Mentees receive a bursary to cover expenses such as travel and materials.

Am I eligible?

Applicants should:

  • be based in Scotland
  • be early- or mid-career traditional arts practitioners
  • not be in full-time education
  • not be participating in the Scottish Storytelling Forum Apprenticeship Scheme

 

How do I apply?

To apply for TRACS Traditional Arts Mentoring, please do the following by Monday 8th December 2025:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Send a concise CV (no more than 2 x A4 pages) to Jo Miller [email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact the Mentoring Co-ordinator, Jo Miller [email protected]

This programme is supported by Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding.

 

News

Ticket Sales Soared… That’s the Story

Multiple sell-outs and packed houses were enjoyed by audiences and participants at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival (22 October to 1 November), which is supported by Multi-Year funding from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund.

The festival’s programme, themed under ‘Lights of the North’, included live storytelling, music, art, and song.  Across the core festival programme, which included 39 live performances and workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, over 93% of all available tickets were sold, and an incredible 77% of all events were completely sold out (30 total).  Ticket income increased by 70%, and the number of festival passes bought doubled from 2024.

Highlights included international guest storytellers from the world’s northern arc, sharing tales of Huldufólk (or the hidden people from Iceland), trolls, and the dark northern winters. Plus, there were tales from Scotland’s Travellers; stories about Vikings and selkies; and as the festival nudged closer to Halloween, there were plenty of dark tales inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s original collection of fairytales, tales of Corpse Roads, spooky stories, and mystic legends to be enjoyed.

Even though the main festival has ended, throughout November the festival’s Go Local programme continues in village halls, churches, castles, and venues across Scotland.

Plus, at the University of Edinburgh, on Saturday 8 November, Festival Director Donald Smith and playwright Linda McLean, will join Randall Stevenson and Greg Walker the editors of the Oxford Handbook of Scottish theatre, for Religion and Scottish Drama, at the New College Festival of Books and Belief.  And, also on Saturday 8 and 22 November, Stephen McCabe, who is a storytelling therapist, will be running Folktales for New Scots: Connected with Nature, which are nature-connection walks aimed at migrants and the local community. These walks, starting from outside the Scottish Parliament also include a printing from nature art workshop with Beetroots Collective’s artists Marta Adamowicz and Robert Motyka.

Online audiences can still continue to enjoy more stories by listening to the festival’s podcast series Another Story, hosted by Daniel Abercrombie, Associate Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, available on all podcast platforms via: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/another-story

Plus, there are Recorded Performances of some of this year’s events available to watch on Youtube:

  • The Alan Bruford Lecture ‘A Curious Episode at Balquhidder: Placenames in the North and the Nackens’ with Dr Robert Fell and special guest Shamus McPhee.
  • Storyteller: Martyn Bennett and the Travellers’ Stories with James MacDonald Reid, Gauri Raja, Jess Smith and Gary West.
  • Open Hearth storytelling session with storytellers Grace Banks, Johan Sandberg McGuinne, Jackie Ross and musician Tom Oakes.

Donald Smith, Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival said:

“The storytellers and musicians excelled; packed audiences loved it; workshops were full of fresh talent. We all made new friends. I’ve worked in a lot of festivals over fifty years, but this one will resonate for years to come – it was the pure drop.”

Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said: “The Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s resounding success is a testament to the richness and diversity of storytelling it brings to audiences – from the heart of Scotland to voices around the globe.

“With vital support from the Scottish Government’s EXPO funding, the festival has flourished as a beacon of international collaboration and socially engaged storytelling. By celebrating intangible cultural heritage, it’s inspiring communities and setting a vibrant example of how traditions can be shared, honoured, and reimagined across Scotland.”

The dates of next year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival are 21 to 31 October 2026.

News

Dark Tales for Halloween

As Halloween approaches the tales being told at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival begin to take a darker turn…

On Halloween night (Friday 31 October), storyteller Anna Lehr will present her new storytelling show Dazwischen (Inbetween) which is inspired by the original tales of the Brothers Grimm, especially the story of Godfather Death.

Anna Lehr with the ‘Death Puppet’. Dazwischen premieres at 8pm on Friday 31 October at the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. Photo credit Jim Dunn

Events on the 31 October:

Anna Lehr’s new tale Dazwischen, about death, birth and what lies in between, is loosely based on the Brother’s Grimm fairytale Godfather Death. It will be performed with German songs, poems, traditions and Anna dancing with Death itself, in the form of a puppet created by artist and wood carver Justina Kasponyte. Anna Lehr worked as an actress for over ten years in her native Germany and is an expert in performance-based interactive and educational storytelling. Her new tale Dazwischen was originally commissioned for the 2024 festival and is supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund.

Also, taking place on 31 October, is The Bewitching Season with guest storyteller Suse Weisse, who is one of Germany’s leading storytellers with a special interest in telling and adapting the tales of the Brothers Grimm, that she grew up with as a child. This storytelling discussion at the National Library of Scotland is presented in association with the Goethe-Institut and takes audiences on a journey through the intersections of folklore and the natural world, at a time when the mystical and natural come close, and the northern winter begins.

Guid Crack Storytelling Session at The Waverley Bar in Edinburgh. This will be a Samhuinn hosted by storyteller Fiona Herbert who will lead a session of spooky stories, and invite audiences to share their own.

Over the rest of the weekend there will also be:

A workshop on Mortality and Making (Saturday 1 November) with storyteller Beverley Bryant who is also a celebrant and death educator. Beverley will be sharing some traditional death stories and ask participants to discuss death, which is often seen as taboo for storytellers. All whilst participants get hands-on and decorate a cardboard coffin and learn the craft of weaving a willow coffin.

To the Ends of the Earth with Monica Madas and Erin Farley which tells the story of Triduana who 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’. Triduana’s voyage into unseen waters and mythologies is told through story, song and puppetry.

The Corpse Road with storyteller Daniel Serridge and musician Heather Cartwright which follows the rise and fall, and the twists and turns of those whose final journey was made along the ancient corpse roads. This session will be a mix of stories and songs written about the characters who travelled along these roads on their final journey to the grave.

Finally, as we head into November, there is a Family Samhuinn celebration with the Beltane Fire Society on Sunday 2 November, where families can drop-in at the Storytelling Centre during the day for facepainting, storytelling and songs.

Then, on Wednesday 5 November Moonspinners, with storytellers Bea Ferguson, Selina Graham and Heather Yule, returns, for another full-moon celebration, alongside host storytellers Claire McNicol and Linda Williamson. Together they will be sharing moon myths, lunar legends and cross-cultural stories about creation, fertility, cosmic joy, transformation, death and rebirth. Moonspinners takes place under the energy and influence of November’s Beaver Moon and the session will begin with a community meal in the café at 6pm of haggis neeps and tatties on a pay-what-you-can basis with all donations going to support the Edinburgh Food Project. This will be followed by storytelling in the theatre, and then an informal social and more conversational session in the Storytelling Court.

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival runs until 1 November thanks to support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland. The Festival’s Go Local programme runs throughout October and November and includes over 60 of events taking place in village halls, pubs, cafes and gardens across Scotland, from the Borders to Shetland and the Western Isles.

To purchase tickets and browse the full programme, visit sisf.org.uk

News

Scottish International Storytelling Festival Kicks Off Next Week

5 people holiding up the festival programme at the launch of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival

There’s just one week to go before the world’s largest celebration of storytelling begins…

The 36th Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s packed programme of over 120 events, taking place in Edinburgh and across Scotland, kicks off next Wednesday 22 October, thanks to support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland.

Over the 11 days of the festival, some of the North’s most celebrated storytellers will join leading voices from Scotland, to bring a feast of traditional storytelling to Edinburgh and to venues all across the country.

‘Lights of the North’ is this year’s chosen theme, and one of the main highlights will be hearing guest storytellers from Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany, sharing their nation’s favourite folk tales.

storyteller Suse Weisse holding hands up whilst storytelling
Storyteller Suse Weisse

These folk tale events will kick off on Friday 24 October at 4pm with Norwegian storytellers Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen and Georgiana Keable Jerstad sharing tales of trolls, hens, and strange husbands; followed by Jerker Fahlström sharing tales from the forests of Sweden (Tue 28 Oct) and Hjörleifur Stefánsson sharing stories of the ‘Huldufolk’ who are said to live in harmony, hidden in the highlands in Iceland …most of the time (Wed 29 Oct).

Other international guest performers include Anna Maria Toivonen from Finland who will join Claire Hewitt to share the tale of The Swan Woman, and Suse Weisse who will share gruesome German fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm.

storyteller Jerker Fahlström profile
Storyteller Jerker Fahlström

Some of these international performers will also take part in this year’s  workshop programme, including Mimesis Heidi Dahlsveen who will delve into the rich tradition of the Norse ‘skalds’ (bards) and their storytelling techniques; and Jerker Fahlström who will look at characterisation and how to tease out a story from written text. In addition, there will be practical workshops on using BSL in storytelling and how facial expression and movement can help bring a story to life; tech and storytelling discussing how best to present storytellers on the stage; what music can add to stories; and the ethical considerations behind using recordings and archive material.

Plus, Boglárka Klitsie-Szabad of the Hungarian Heritage House explores the rich repertoire of one of Hungary’s last traditional Roma storytellers Vilmos Csipkés; and Anna Lehr discusses classic fairy tales particularly those of the Brothers Grimm.

storyteller Anna Lehr in an open pose
Storyteller Anna Lehr

Other unmissable highlights include:

  • Land of Many Waters inspired by Scotland’s rivers and waters and the stories they carry in their fragile eco-system performed by storyteller Eileen Budd and singer songwriter David McAlmont, who came to prominence in the 1990s with his hit single YES. Sound provided by Debbie Armour.
  • Storyteller and musician Mark Borthwick’s retelling of The War of the Birds, a Russian story, collected by Arthur Ransome. This event looks at how our stories-of-self are world-making, with Ransome’s forced migration from Russia used as a touchstone to explore other migration stories from the 20th Century.
  • Against the Current, the forgotten tale of St Enoch told through the journeys of four women making their lives in Glasgow with Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy, Isobel O’Donovan, Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Trinidad Cabezón Droguett.
  • A retelling of He Sits on the Rock of Joy with storyteller Linda Perttula and singer songwriter Aino Elina, who combine their own teenage memories, with ancient poetry and ethereal vocals in the search for a connection to this Finnish epic.
  • The Selkie story, told through exploring its parallels with Deaf history in Lost to the Sea, Lost to the World with Tania Allan and Craig McCulloch. Performed in British Sign Language and spoken English.
  • A retelling of The King and The Lamp, a tale by the late Duncan Williamson passed onto, and performed by, storyteller and musician Marion Kenny.

In addition, there will be a programme of free storytelling events taking place at the National Museum of Scotland, and children’s events and workshops that will run throughout the October school break. These include sensory stories with Ailie Finlay in Tales of Cold Forests and Cosy Bears; percussive dancing from Tokyo-born stepdancer Kae Sakurai in BLOOM; a family ceilidh with the Minnow Ceilidh Band; songs and stories about dragons with Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown and Gaynor Barradell; and plenty of events outdoors including the return of the Botanics Storytelling Day.

Percussive Step Dancer Kae Sakurai in front of a hill horizon
Percussive Step Dancer Kae Sakurai

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said:
“The fantastic programme for this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival features something for everyone and brings together stars of Scotland’s storytelling scene with our north Atlantic neighbours to give light to dark winter nights through mystical stories and songs.

“The festival received £200,000 this year from our EXPO fund as part of a record increase in culture funding from the Scottish Government. We are proud to support this celebration of Scotland’s storytelling heritage and its important place on the world stage.”

Donald Smith, Scottish International Storytelling Festival Director said:
“I’m very inspired by the chemistry of this year’s programme. Northern stories come from the forests, mountains and oceans, while drawing on an eerie imagination, surreal humour and hidden connections between human and natural spirits. Inner and outer journeys collide with unexpected magic. And Scotland is a hub and a crucible of this unique northern brew!”

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place from Wednesday 22 October to Saturday 1 November. For those planning on attending multiple events, the Festival Supporter Pass (£24) offers discounted tickets to many festival events, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as well as a discount at the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s bookshop, and Haggis Box Café.

There will also be BSL interpretation available for Deaf audiences at selected events.

To purchase tickets and browse the full programme, visit sisf.org.uk

News

Registration Open for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Scotland Conference this November

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Why?

Join us in Perth on 14 November for the third Intangible Cultural Heritage Scotland conference. With the UK Government ratifying the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in 2024, and the national ICH inventorying process starting soon, this year’s conference will focus on how we move forward with ICH across Scotland.

What to expect

The conference will feature inspiring talks from practitioners sharing their journeys, alongside organisations highlighting how they support and promote ICH in Scotland.

Not sure what Intangible Cultural Heritage is all about? Look at our website and learn about Living Heritage and TRACS’s work here.

Who should join?

This event is for anyone interested in ICH, also known as Living Heritage, including practitioners, artists, makers, researchers, and crafts people, and people working for local authorities, public bodies, museums, and culture or heritage groups and organisations.

The conference is organised by the ICH Scotland Partnership – Museums Galleries Scotland, Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). For the full programme, information on access, bursary support and registration follow the link below.

Register Now!