Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling and theatre, music, workshops and festivals.

About Scottish Storytelling Centre

	43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR
	01315569579
	Scottish Storytelling Centre Website
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	Facebook information can be found here
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Listed Under Attractions - Art Galleries / Activities - Arts and Crafts / Activities - Reading and Discussion / Attractions - Theatres

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue centrally located on Edinburgh’s High Street celebrating the live art of storytelling for all ages and interests. The Centre hosts a year-round programme of storytelling, music, theatre, dance and more, with plenty to offer locals and visitors alike. An ever-changing roster of workshops and exhibitions beg repeat visits throughout the year, as does the bustling Haggis Box Café, situated within the Centre’s welcoming Storytelling Court.

Each October the Storytelling Centre is the hub for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, internationally recognised as a leader in its field and one of the 11 Edinburgh Festivals. It also curates a vibrant programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August. The Centre also manages the adjacent John Knox House Museum which dates back to 1470, making it one of the oldest original medieval buildings still standing on the Royal Mile. The house is now set up as a museum where visitors can learn about the house itself and some of the residents, including the turbulent times of John Knox and Mary Queen of Scots during the Reformation.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a great meeting place, where a warm welcome is extended to families and visitors, and where creative minds can explore cultures and traditions (old and new) in Scotland today.

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Upcoming Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre

Theatre

Loud Poets Open Mic

Selected dates between 29th September 2025 - 8th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Loud Poets invite poets to share their work at their regular open mic, taking place monthly at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Storytelling

Am I really home? A Journey Through the Literary Voices of Italian Scottish Women

25th November 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Through storytelling, poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.

Theatre

Rogues So Banished

29th November 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Actor and writer Paul Case's nightmarish solo horror theatre piece explores the intersection of class, race and sexuality during the violent beginnings of Australian history.

Storytelling

Fairy Circle: Part of Fair Saturday 2025

29th November 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Come along to the home of Scottish storytelling for a drop-in session of traditional tales with storytellers Mark Borthwick and Alice Fernbank on Saturday 29th November!

Storytelling

Queer Folks’ Tales: with Turan Ali, Sadiq Ali, Megan Black & Amanda Dwyer

4th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Welcome to Queer Folks’ Tales, the Scottish Storytelling Centre's hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series where queer storytellers share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future.

Nights Out

Beyond the Rubble: Steps of Hope

5th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join human rights organisation Amos Trust at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a powerful night of music, dance, poetry, film and conversation that celebrates Palestinian culture and resilience.

Family and Kids

Easy Sundays: Family Ceilidh

7th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band on 7th December at The Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Storytelling

Tell Me a Story for Christmas

13th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Gather round the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Christmas tree for an hour of stories, songs and live harp music on 13th December!

Music

A Winter’s Night

16th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 16th December for a seasonal miscellany of stories, poetry, music, and readings from Yuletide and beyond!

Pantomime

Macastory Presents: Cinderella

20th December 2025 - 23rd December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

It’s time to shout “Oh yes it is!” because Macastory are bringing their Panto for wee ones and big ones back to the Scottish Storytelling Centre – and you’re invited!

Theatre

Four Magicians

27th December 2025 - 28th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Four of Scotland’s leading magicians come together for an evening like no other — minds will be read, laws of nature will be defied, and dad jokes will be told.

Family and Kids

Tricky Ricky: Jingles All The Way

27th December 2025 - 28th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Back by popular demand! Scotland’s favourite trickster is jingling all the way into the festive season with a brand-new magic and comedy spectacular.

Workshops

Making Magic workshop with Tim Licata

27th December 2025 - 28th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

In this exciting hands-on workshop, young people aged 12+ will explore the world of card magic — not just the techniques, but the theatre behind it.

Theatre

Richard Wiseman

27th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Have you got what it takes to sit through the most tedious show ever and receive a certificate verifying your extraordinary willpower?

Nights Out

Insane Christmas Magic

27th December 2025 - 28th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Insane Magic finally make their MagicFest debut, ending the year with a bang in a Christmas special packed with festive wonder, jaw-dropping illusions, and a sprinkle of fan-favourite classics!

Theatre

Jamie Leonard: Wonder Boy

28th December 2025

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

After a hugely successful 2025 Edinburgh Fringe run with five-star reviews, Jamie Leonard returns with his most exciting hour yet: Wonder Boy!

Theatre

Balancing in Freedom

Selected dates between 29th January 2026 - 20th November 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for this world premiere performance of an enthralling new work, written and performed by Iddo Oberski!

John Knox House

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

Dating back to 1470 John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history!

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