Scottish Storytelling Centre

About Scottish Storytelling Centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a seasonal programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events, and festivals. We are the home of two festivals: TradFest, a traditional arts festival that takes place in the spring, and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October. We’re also a host venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and other exciting cultural programmes all year round.

We’re a great meeting place where you can experience Scotland’s rich story heritage. In the Storytelling Court you'll find an interactive Storywall which children (and adults!) enjoy exploring. Try to find Greyfriars Bobby; catch the frog; meet Nessie, the Gruffalo and Wee Willie Winkie; and discover traditional Scottish tales. Tucked around the corner you can listen to excerpts from Edinburgh’s most famous storyteller, Robert Louis Stevenson, and we always have a free exhibition on display.

Swap your own stories in the Café 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. Attached to the Scottish Storytelling Centre is John Knox House, creating a very unique venue that incorporates contemporary design with medieval architecture. Explore this museum to learn about one of the most turbulent times in Scottish History.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is also the Headquarters of the Scottish Storytelling Network which offers its members exclusive access to development events; discounts on our Workshops and Courses; and support and advice on professional development.

Upcoming Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre

Jordy Deelight: The Honeymoon Period

18th January 2020

Meet Hayley, she is 24 years old and has Cystic Fibrosis. Hayley is going to Newcastle for a lung transplant assessment and has no clue what she’s doing. She just needs a little time…

Cafe Ceilidh: Burns Celebration

21st January 2020

Come along to a free afternoon of the songs, music, poems and stories celebrating Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns in the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 21st January!

Supper with Burns

23rd January 2020 - 24th January 2020

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for an alternative Burns Supper, serving up a 3-course Scottish dinner and a generous helping of Burns' stories!

Family Ceilidh

25th January 2020

Celebrate with family and friends to dance well-known Scottish dances and sing well-known songs at the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Family Ceilidh!

Burns for Brunch

25th January 2020

Robert Burns awakes in Auld Reekie 2019 sharing his thoughts, poems and songs, casting a satiric eye around his Scotland.

The Ceilidh House: Tam O’ Shanter

25th January 2020

Welcome to the Burns Night Ceilidh House, where people meet to dance, sing, play music and share stories.

Bal Folk: Dance Workshops and Social

29th January 2020

Come along and try Bal Fold, the European version of Ceilidh dancing, in these workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Yng Ngheredigion

30th January 2020

An exploration of landscape and place through music, film, and stories, originating from the west Wales landscape.

Guid Crack Storytelling Session

31st January 2020

Get spirited away in a night of intoxicating tales, led by storyteller Fiona Herbert. Come imbibe the drama of the dram at Edinburgh's long-running storytelling club in The Waverley Bar!

Mary, Queen of Scots and the Missing Shortbread

8th February 2020

Join action adventuretellers Brooke Conway and Hannah Mathieson as they venture across Scotland on a brave quest to get to the bottom of the mystery of Queen Queen Elizabeth’s missing shortbread!

The Watchmaker’s Wife: Book Launch

8th February 2020

Well known as a novelist for children, author Janis Mackay launches a new historical fiction/memoir for adults based on the life of her grandmother.

Small Wonders

8th February 2020

Listen to stories of chance encounters, miracles of nature, unexpected gifts and all those moments when the world is made anew!

Tiny Tales: All Aboard! The Adventues of Jenny Pirate

11th February 2020

Join storyteller Fergus McNicol and set sail with the one and only Pirate Jenny, in search of songs, rhymes, stoires and sea shanties galore…

Bal Folk: Dance Workshops and Social

12th February 2020

Come along and try Bal Fold, the European version of Ceilidh dancing, in these workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Cafe Voices: Stories and Songs for Imbolc

13th February 2020

Storyteller and musician Susanna Orr Holland shares tales of new beginnings and the transition of death, recalling Bríde and the first beginnings of the coming spring.

The World’s Room

14th February 2020

The World's Room is a home for traditional singing in Edinburgh organised by the Traditional Music Forum and held in the Waverley Bar, St Mary’s Street.

Loud Poets

14th February 2020

One of the UK's most successful spoken word collectives return with their monthly showcase of the UK’s top spoken word talent.

Crafty Burdies

14th February 2020 - 15th February 2020

Join artists and storytellers Jan Bee Brown and Anne Hunter for a family friendly playday at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

The Strange Visitor: Book Launch

15th February 2020

Joins us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for the launch of The Strange Visitor, and enjoy games and crafts for some monstrous fun!

Bal Folk: Dance Workshops and Social

26th February 2020

Come along and try Bal Fold, the European version of Ceilidh dancing, in these workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Guid Crack Storytelling Session

28th February 2020

On the eve of February’s extra day, storyteller Anne Hunter peers over the edge and leads an evening of cautionary and courageous tales.

Stories on the Way: A Sense of Wonder

6th March 2020

Let our wonderful apprentice storytellers enchant and transport you into the Otherworld at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 6th March!

The Coming of Spring

7th March 2020

Celebrate the season of new beginnings with Lynda Dargie from Matrix Storytelling as we share stories of magic and transformation from Scotland and beyond.

Tiny Tales: Spring is Coming

10th March 2020

Join storyteller Robbie Fotheringham to hear her favourite stories and songs at the time when the world comes back to life after winter.

Bal Folk: Dance Workshops and Social

11th March 2020

Come along and try Bal Fold, the European version of Ceilidh dancing, in these workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Cafe Voices: Tales and Tunes from the Emerald Isle

12th March 2020

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the lead up to St. Patrick’s Day for an evening of Irish stories and songs led by Marion Kenny!

The World’s Room

13th March 2020

The World's Room is a home for traditional singing in Edinburgh organised by the Traditional Music Forum and held in the Waverley Bar, St Mary’s Street.

Café Ceilidh: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

17th March 2020

Join the Scots Music Group on Tuesday 17th March for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories celebrating Ireland's patron saint.

Red Velvet Revelry

20th March 2020

Join Revel Sisters Marie Louise Cochrane and Heidi Docherty for a night dedicated to celebrating female sexuality through stories, songs, poetry and the power of of knowing laughter!

Tall Tales Oscar

21st March 2020

Listen to tall tales, ferocious fibs and fables by Scotland's finest tellers, then you decide who wins the lucrative accolade of Oscar the Leprechaun!

Bal Folk: Dance Workshops and Social

25th March 2020

Come along and try Bal Fold, the European version of Ceilidh dancing, in these workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!

Harry Baker: I am 10,000

26th March 2020

Mathematician-turned-World-Slam-Champion Harry Baker turns 10,000 days old celebrating numbers, words and life itself.

Guid Crack Storytelling Session

27th March 2020

Join travelling storyteller Daniel Allison for an evening of storytelling exotica with treasures of the Earth.

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