The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Based at the Netherbow in Edinburgh, The Scottish Storytelling Centre is Scotland's national charity for storytelling. When it was founded in 1992 it was a volunteer run organisation. It's purpose was to encourage and support the telling of stories across all sectors of society, and throughout all age groups. Particular focus was on those unable to participate in other artistic experiences, because of poverty or disability.
Its original 17 professional storytellers grew to 47 during the five years that followed, and in 1997, a resource and training centre was opened - the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which occupied the top floor of the Netherbow Arts Centre in Edinburgh.
Since the Storytelling Centre opened, the storytelling network in Scotland has increased and there are now over 80 professional storytellers throughout the country.
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The Storytelling Centre holds regular storytelling sessions for all age groups, at various locations. There are also a variety of storytelling walks and tours available from the centre, including:
- The Preacher and the Goldsmith (tour of John Knox House)
- Royal Mile Storytelling Walks
- The Arthur's Seat Storywalk
- The Calton Hill Storywalk
To find out more about these and other events, please visit the Scottish Storytelling Centre website. |
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place from Friday 22 October until Sunday 31 October 2004, with National Tell a Story Day on 29 October. International and Scottish storytellers will be joining together for this celebration of live oral storytelling, sharing a variety of myths, legends, folktales and fairytales.
Storytellers will be entertaining all over the city, reaching out to as many communities as possible. They will be in bookshops, libraries, visitor attractions and many more sites. As well as the adult events, there will be family storytelling events taking place at Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Museum, Filmhouse, Butterfly and Insect World, Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Botanic Garden and Museum of Childhood.
Photos: Ian MacKenzie
A special part of the programme this year is Leith Lives, which is a look at Leith's vibrant heritage and a celebration of its contemporary life. Stories will be told in Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders. To find out more about this and other events taking place, please visit the Scottish Storytelling Centre website where you can download the programme of events.
With 77 events taking place in 43 venues, there is something for everyone, whatever their age - including fun days out for all the family, workshops to improve your storytelling skills, story-tours and much more.
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National Tell a Story Day gives people from all walks of life a chance to take part in or organise events. This celebration, now in its fourth year, takes place every October, with stories being told in a huge variety of different venues, from hospitals and care homes to caves and forests - and even in people's own homes. Last year, 108 events took place across Scotland. |
If you would like to organise an event yourself, you will find more information on the Scottish Storytelling Centre website. They will also give you advice on how to organise your event and tips on getting started and finding a suitable venue.
| Don't forget to visit our page on Ceilidh Culture for more about the traditions of storytelling. | |