In remembrance of the Scottish Witch Hunts
The Weaving Creative Threads Event at the Scottish Storytelling Centre features an evocative blend of artists, storytellers, singers, and speakers gathering to remember Scotland's accused witches.
About In remembrance of the Scottish Witch Hunts
This day also includes an exhibition and a cauldron of workshops. It is the main event of an artistic grass-roots reclamation and remembrance of the 4th of June, the historical date of the Witchcraft Act of 1563. This event is not for profit, after costs, all the money will go to fund a living, breathing, Witches Memorial Grove in the Caledonian Forest. We hope you will join us on a day that honours Scottish cultural creativity and highlights that art in all its eclectic forms, can be a powerful plaid of remembrance for the daughters and sons of Scotland who suffered for the crime of witchcraft.
Rowan Morrison is a storyteller and author who established the Creative Coven to bring together creatives whose work was inspired by the Scottish Witch Hunts. In collaboration with Karen Strang, they have produced innovative sold-out performances, art, and workshops. Their mission is to explore the historical persecution of the Scottish witch hunts through the evocative and emotive power of the arts. Rowan has given voice to the accused witches of Scotland through oral and written stories, songs, performance art, and memorial events. During her workshop, she will support you in reclaiming the magic of your voice, so its medicine can begin to heal the legacy of the burning times. Through the ancient practice of keening, you will sound out your sorrow for the accused witches of Scotland.
Karen Strang is an award-winning visual artist who graduated from the Glasgow School of Art and studied further at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Over the years, she has created many powerful works of art that were inspired by the Scottish witch hunts and has painted live images of persecution as a performance artist. This award-winning painter will give an innovative talk about how the Scottish witch trials have inspired her paintings to create witches as works of art. Karen will explore women painters in the time of the Scottish witch trials and the alchemical use of natural materials in the creation process, as an act of magic.
Katy Bremner is an artist and basket weaver. She studied contemporary art in Glasgow and combined traditional willow basketry techniques to make more experimental pieces. Her interest in the witch trials grew as she moved to Fife where it was impossible to ignore the rich history and folklore present on her doorstep. Throughout history, poppets made from natural materials have been used in acts of sympathetic magic with the intent to curse, cure, or protect against baneful witchcraft. In her workshop, Katy will show you how to create a folk magic poppet made from soft rush, that is similar to a traditional Brideóg effigy. Harm to none!
Jane Mather is a storyteller and woodland leader with a background in community work. She is a guardian of a healing well and shares traditional Scottish stories and legends that evoke wild landscapes and inspire nature connection. Jane's recent work focuses on themes of remembrance and weaving traditional stories into new narratives. Jane’s performance weaves together two tales of transformation from the wild north edge of Scotland. The first tells of an 18th-century Caithness witch trial following a plague of cats in Scrabster, the second is a poignant faerie tale from Sutherland about a witch’s romance. Jane will also host a creative workshop, to explore the many faces of the witch in Scottish folklore. Create new writing inspired by folk tales, and weave individual charms of remembrance to commemorate the thousands of innocents accused and executed under the Witchcraft Act of 1563.
Lindsey Gibb is a performance storyteller based in Highland Perthshire, specialising in history, the environment, and local folklore. In 2023 she researched and performed ‘The Lost Witches of Dunkeld’, sharing stories of the accused witches of the area. She has performed nationally and internationally and is a co-author of Perthshire Folk Tales. Lindsey’s performance takes you on a journey to Perthshire to meet Margaret Fleming, Countess of Atholl, Dunkeld’s Issobell Douglas, and Margaret Stewart who fought back against their accusers. You will hear about the Great Witch Gathering and the role the powerful Earls of Atholl played in the trials. This is not the story you expect!
Helen Wright has a degree in Fine Art Sculpture and worked as an Art and Design teacher. After moving to Auldearn in 2006, she became aware that there was no public memorial to Isobel Gowdie. In 2021, Helen put that right when she created an innovative mural on a public-facing wall that depicted the story of the Witch of Auldearn. During her workshop, Helen will talk about the inspiration that she drew from Isobel Gowdie, not just to create her work of community art but also the poetry she has written in remembrance of the Witch of Auldearn. Helen will support participants in drawing from this deep well so they can create memorials in the written word.
Joss Cameron is a traditional Scottish folk singer, researcher, artist, and award-winning songwriter born in Edinburgh and holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Music Performance. She has a passion for promoting Scotland's rich culture, heritage, and traditions and holds courses and workshops as well as touring regularly. Amy Dudley is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, clarsach, and harmonium. She is an award-winning composer from Galloway who holds a BA (Hons) in Music Composition. She produces performances and regularly tours the country. Amy specialises in singing neo-classic, folk, and alternative modern music. Together they will sing some of their Songs from the Witches Sabbat. Their haunting vocal harmonies will stir your soul, take you back to a dark time in history, and leave you in no doubt about the depth and richness of Scotland's magical song heritage.
Scott Richardson Reid is an independent researcher, published Author, activist, and Scottish folk magic practitioner. Scott has several master’s degrees in research and related subjects informing his exploration of Scottish Folklore, customs, practices, and traditions to explore their relevance to us today and to inform a tradition based on historical and social reality. In his presentation, Scott will take a journey through Scottish elite beliefs and everyday folk magic. Exploring witchcraft trial records, and cultural testimony, and comparing them with domestic folk magic and lifeways. In scrutinising an elite-working class discourse we explore power differences still echoing in today’s Scotland and the diaspora.
Mairi Kidd is Head of Literature, Languages, and Publishing at Creative Scotland and has an MA in Celtic Studies. She is CEO of Moat Brae, Scotland's National Centre for Children's Books and has worked with the Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and local authorities. Mairi contributes to BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s books coverage and writes for broadcasts. Mairi’s book, a weaving of fiction and fact was inspired by women who lived under the shadow of witch persecution. Her presentation invites us to explore the forces at work in one of the darkest episodes of Scotland's history and consider their echoes in the present day.
Please note, that there might be a change to the programme that is out of our control and refunds will only be issued in the case of event cancellation.
BRING ALONG A NOTEPAD AND PENCIL ON THE DAY!
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre
Queer Folks’ Tales
Queer Folks’ Tales is back after a hugely successful Fringe run in August, and October sees another terrific line up at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MORE
Loud Poets Showcase
Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night 'Loud Poets' on Friday 11th October!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Dance ‘n’ Tales
Journey through worlds of adventure with Dance ‘n’ Tales at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 12th October!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Dragon Tale
Join storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown for a magical tale about courage and dreams at the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Hairy Tale of Sam the Skull
Sam the Skull is a hilarious folk song by Harry Hagan, about a gallus Glasgow cat. Join storyteller Alastair McIver as he relates Sam’s continuing adventures!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Mending Nets
Join Palestinian poet and dancer Nada Shawa and Scottish storyteller Janis Mackay as they build a bridge of friendship between Scotland and Palestine.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Open Hearth hosted by Donald Smith
The Festival’s famous Open Hearth returns to the Netherbow Theatre for a relaxed traditional session of stories and music, hosted by Donald Smith.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Bouncy Billy Goats Gruff
Storyteller Ailie Finlay and artist Kate Leiper invite you to a special sensory story version of the old tale with games, actions and some simple sensory crafts.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: A Jaunt Round Auld Reekie
Join auld Auntie Bee and her long-suffering niece Bonnie McRee on a mad-cap tour of Auld Reekie, past and present, real and imagined, without leaving the Storytelling Court.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Dream of Al-Andalus
Enjoy an evening of tales by storytellers Sef Townsend and Inés Álvarez Villa, enriched by the music of flamenco guitarist Danielo Olivera and Moroccan musician Omar Afif.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Torn From the Same Cloth
Whose tears soak the cloth on our backs? This is the story of a global textile industry and two nations bound by more than meets the eye.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Slowing Down to the Speed of Light
This event is a kaleidoscope of story, myth, magic and an adult ADHD diagnosis, explored through a playful and provocative tale of a woman untangling a lifetime of stories.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Smoke and Sickle
Combining the mythical with the modern, Emery Hunter and Bobby Bradley explore how we navigate each other’s identities in moments of vulnerability.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Desperate Battle of the Birds / Cath Gailbheach nan Eòin
Scottish storyteller James MacDonald Reid and Scottish-Korean musician Ryan Williams present a classic Gaelic folk tale, blending tradition with innovation.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: New Wave
Enjoy the fresh voices of new and emerging tellers, featuring storytellers Mary Baxter, Selina Graham, Emma Milton and David Pullar and hosted by Janis Mackay.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Open Hearth
As the darkness closes in and minds glow with pictures in the symbolic fire, Open Hearth, featuring Shona Cowie, Martin MacIntyre and Fin Moore, is the perfect way to end your day!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Oot o the Book
Ruth Kirkpatrick shares a prime selection of tales that have appealed to her Scottish storytelling heart, with musical accompaniment from accordion and whistle player Leo McCann.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Beard Goes to Russia
Tales of friendship, mischief, rebellion and truth-seeking come to life as Alice Fernbank shares her dad’s memoirs and adventures beyond the iron curtain.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Stories & Songs of Ireland
In this relaxed session, storyteller Nuala Hayes and musician Aoife Granville share stories and music inspired by Irish people and places they know and love.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Òran Mhòir
Òran Mhòir is a multi-media performance by storyteller Eileen Budd and experimental folk duo Burd Ellen exploring the Gaelic lore of the intertidal zone.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Queen of Irish Storytellers: Stories of Peig Sayers
Storyteller Nuala Hayes and musician Aoife Granville celebrate the life of Storyteller, seanchaí and author Peig Sayers, with live animated visuals from artist Rita Duffy.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: The Flyting
Kirsty Law unpacks the tales within a myth, and explores them using folk song and oral storytelling.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: ‘I Will Speak to You All’ - Introducing Peig Sayers
Meet the incomparable storyteller of the Great Blasket Island and the Dingle peninsula through the work of Éilís NÍ Dhuibhne, folklorist and author, and storyteller Nuala Hayes!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Rickle O Stanes
Through powerful and playful storytelling and traditional song, Shona Cowie and Neil Sutcliffe explore the layers of history on which we stand today.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Traveller Storytelling in Scotland
Drop in to meet Robert Fell, author of 'Traveller Storytelling in Scotland: Folklore, Ideology and Cultural Identity', an exciting new book about traditional storytelling in Scotland.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Jack and Beggar’s Island
The most powerful freedom story of Scottish oral tradition is recreated at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 25th October.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Stories & Music of Strathspey
Join David Francis and Hamish Napier as they explore the rich culture of Scotland’s Strathspey region in story and music!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Spicy Tales from India
Journey through the folk lands of India with music, rhythm and dance with guest storyteller Jeeva Raghunath!
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Slaver Nation - Incredible but True
Slaver Nation: This event opens up archive material to reveal first-hand experiences and attitudes that bring home a vital part of Scotland’s national story.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Kanpur 1857
The year is 1857 and strapped to a cannon, a young Indian rebel finds themselves answering to a British officer for the crimes of Kanpur. Are they a hero or a villain?
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: Into the Woods - In the Footsteps of Thomas the Rhymer
Join in the mystery and magic of Thomas the Rhymer’s story with singing and playing, but who can spot the magic treasures?
READ MORE
The Remarkable Deliverances of Alice Thornton
This solo performance reflects on Mrs Alice Thornton's life and experiences across the span of the seventeenth century as she finds herself the subject of a most dreadful scandal!
READ MORE
Annual Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture
This year’s Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture at the Scottish Storytelling Centre explores cultural activism and is presented by Stan Reeves on 9th November.
READ MORE
Cafe Ceilidh
Join friends from the Scots Music Group for an afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories!
READ MORE
Gutscapes: Meditative Encounters with Microbial Messmates
Joana Formosinho and artists Baum and Leahy invite you into a meditative encounter with the wild landscapes inside your gut at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 12th November!
READ MORE
Men Don’t Talk
Three men find banter, bird boxes and biscuits in a fictional men's shed, which celebrates companionship, camaraderie... and custard creams.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Disco Days Edinburgh
Scotland's beloved over 30s afternoon clubbing event Disco Days is back at Club Tropicana Edinburgh!
READ MORE
National Museum of Flight Behind the Scenes Tours
Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store.
READ MORE
Green Explorers
Adventure, exploration, play and fun awaits for all 8-12 year olds on an Green Explorers day, running monthly with award-winning Edinburgh charity The Green Team!
READ MORE
Gin & Rum Festival
The UK’s largest touring Gin & Rum Festival returns to Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms on 12th October!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Zoo Autumn Market
Treat yourself this half term and visit Edinburgh Zoo's autumn market in Lemur Lodge on 12th & 13th October!
READ MORE
Halloween Happenings at Dalkeith Country Park
Join us this October for spook-tacular Halloween Happenings at Dalkeith Country Park!
READ MORE
Halloween Days
Come along to our Halloween Days at Conifox Adventure Park this October and create some pumpkin-tastic memories!
READ MORE
The Big Draw at Lauriston Castle
Where better to explore this year’s Big Draw than the amazing grounds of Lauriston Castle?
READ MORE
Autumn Explorers
Following the success of our half day holiday programmes during the spring and summer at Edinburgh Zoo we are delighted to announce our Autumn Explorer programme!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links