This year’s Gaitherin will shine a licht on fostering connections, breaking doon barriers, and celebrating creativity and representation in Scots. Community voices, especially those fae hard-to-reach areas and new learners o the leid, will be front and centre, and every dialect and background will be amplified.
With representatives from the Scottish Government playin an active role throughout the day, this is a rare and timely opportunity for community voices tae shape the ongoing national strategy for Scots language policy. Jyne us and help drive practical action, share ideas, and mak yer ain vyce heard as we shape the future of Scots together.
Whether ye’re fluent, learning, or passionate aboot oor Leid, help us celebrate the vitality an diversity of Scots through inspiring keynote talks, dynamic workshops, performances - and open dialogue wi government, artists, and grassroots campaigners.
What's Happenin Fan...
09:30–10:10 Registration and Networking with tea and coffee
10:15–10:45 Welcome and Opening Addresses
10:45–11:05 Keynote - Wullie Hershaw
11:10–11:40 Performance - Grace Skinner
11:45–12:30 Morning workshops
12:30–13:30 Lunch Break and Networking
13:35–13:55 Performance - Poet's Corner
14:00–14:25 Keynote - Davie Donaldson
14:30–15:15 Afternoon workshops
15:30–16:00 Panel event
16:05–16:25 Performance - Musician to be announced
16:25–16:40 Closing remarks
Notes: the agenda is subject tae change, as we firm things up! Denner isna includit, but ye can buy fae the Haggis Box café, or bring yer ain wi ye.
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? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Loud Poets invite poets to share their work at their regular open mic, taking place monthly at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
READ MOREJoin Jill de Fresnes, Christine Kydd and Patsy Seddon to celebrate the launch of the Silver, Salt and Stories exhibition, running at the Scottish Storytelling Centre during November.
READ MOREThe exhibition by Jill de Fresnes is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s.
READ MOREThe TAM Sessions is an open and informal trad session, but with the lovely additional invitation to bring your sewing, knitting, crochet, or any other crafting project that you enjoy.
READ MOREJoin us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a unique event dedicated to World War One poet John McCrae and his poem In Flanders Fields, debuting a new interpretation of this iconic work!
READ MOREJoin Edinburgh's own Burgh Blatherers on Wednesday 12th November for the next open-floor storytelling night taking place throughout the year!
READ MOREPlease join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Friday 14th November to celebrate Fair Saturday’s 2025 programme at their Opening Party!
READ MOREThis year’s Hamish Henderson Memorial Lecture at the Scottish Storytelling Centre is presented by David Francis and hosted by TRACS on Saturday 15th November.
READ MOREA Wheen o’ Wimmin present Singing Our Stories, featuring five celebrated Scots singers who’ve shared many a stage both great and small.
READ MOREJoin Hands Up for Trad on 18th November for an intimate celebration marking two decades of the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, with David Francis and Louis DeCarlo!
READ MOREWelcome to the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Hearth Fire Sessions with Dougie Mackay, Alastair Blain, Chandra Mather & Tim Porteus on Thursday 20th November!
READ MORECatch Susanna Orr Holland, an experimental world folk singer-songwriter, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 21st November for the launch of her second album!
READ MORETo accompany the launch of Susanna Orr Holland’s new album Return of the Swallows, Chris Booth will offer a Work That Reconnects workshop.
READ MOREThrough storytelling, poetry and prose, four widely published Italian Scottish women writers will describe their diverse journeys of navigating, rooting and belonging.
READ MOREActor 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.
READ MORECome 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!
READ MOREHave you got what it takes to sit through the most tedious show ever and receive a certificate verifying your extraordinary willpower?
READ MOREFour 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.
READ MOREBack by popular demand! Scotland’s favourite trickster is jingling all the way into the festive season with a brand-new magic and comedy spectacular.
READ MOREIn 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.
READ MOREInsane 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!
READ MOREAfter a hugely successful 2025 Edinburgh Fringe run with five-star reviews, Jamie Leonard returns with his most exciting hour yet: Wonder Boy!
READ MOREJoin us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for this world premiere performance of an enthralling new work, written and performed by Iddo Oberski!
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Connect with others who understand your background and have shared your life experiences at the monthly Veterans Cafe in the Gyle Shopping Centre.
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Enjoy crafts? Or enjoy a boardgame? Or simply would appreciate being in the company of others in a warm, relaxed space with a bowl of soup? Then this is the space for you!
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Come and join the Cyrenians for their delicious Syrian food cooked with love by their award winning chef Noura Selibi!
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The knitting group at Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road in Colinton, brings together residents and local community members for a monthly morning of crafting and conversation.
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The Forth Awards are back this November – in partnership with Livingston Designer Outlet!
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Join Edinburgh Blue Balls Charity at The Pitt on Friday 14th November for the launch of the first-ever Edinburgh Blue Balls Annual, a celebration of connection, vulnerability, and strength!
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Come along to Spiel und Plausch (Play and Chat), a place where children can play freely, parents can take a moment, and new friendships can grow.
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Join us at WHALE Arts on Friday 21st November for a free community screening of The Wild Robot, everyone welcome!
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You are warmly invited to the Christmas Fair at the German Church, on Saturday 29th November!
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