CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Through the Shortbread Tin

The National Theatre of Scotland is touring in 2025 with a brand new show 'Through the Shortbread Tin' and stops off at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 8th & 9th April!

Through the Shortbread Tin

About Through the Shortbread Tin

The story of the greatest literary hoax of all time.

1760. Scottish poet James Macpherson sets the world ablaze with stories of the third-century Scottish bard, Ossian. This tartan-trimmed tale of Highland history spreads far and wide, capturing the imagination of thousands– but is it built on deceit?

2025. Scottish poet Martin O’Connor reads Macpherson’s epic and questions his own relationship with Scottish culture. The sporrans, the stags, the shortbread – do these ‘gift-shop’ images of Scotland hold us back or bring us forward? What does it mean to be authentic, and is the truth sometimes better told in a lie?

Through The Shortbread Tin is a brand-new show, performed in Scots with Gaelic songs, which explores Scottish culture, myths, history and identity. Join Martin and Macpherson on an oral odyssey spanning centuries of Scottish history, exploring the myths we tell each other and the stories we tell ourselves. Because it takes a lot ae imagination tae tell a true story.

A National Theatre of Scotland Production. Written and performed by Martin O’Connor. Directed by Lu Kemp.

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
Link
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland

Other Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre

Exhibition: Through Kindred Eyes: Two South Asian Artists’ Framings of Scotland

3rd July 2025 - 20th July 2025

Through Kindred Eyes is an expression of the cultural links between Scotland and India through work by two South Asian artists living in Edinburgh.

READ MORE

Forefowk, Mind Me

10th July 2025

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday 10th July for the premiere of a short film made as part of the Forefowk, Mind Me project by Scots singer Quinie!

READ MORE

Hearth Fire Sessions

10th July 2025

Welcome to the Scottish Storytelling Centre's Hearth Fire Sessions with June Dougie Mackay, Daiva Ivanauskaitė, Miwa Nagato-Apthorp & Josie Vallely (Quinie) on Thursday 10th July!

READ MORE

Scottish Memories Live - with Ross King and Jay Crawford

12th July 2025

Popular podcast Scottish Memories is back at the Scottish Storytelling Centre with its second live event on 12th July, featuring two Scottish broadcasting legends in Ross King and Jay Crawford!

READ MORE

Easy Sundays: Always Room For One More

13th July 2025

Come along to the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Sunday 13th July for a family session of welcoming stories, songs and crafts with storyteller Beth Cross!

READ MORE

Stories on the Way: Once Upon a Wish

16th July 2025

Come and enjoy live storytelling in the relaxed setting of the Netherbow Theatre on Wednesday 16th July!

READ MORE

Guid Crack: It Takes a Village

25th July 2025

Enjoy another fun and friendly session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club on 25th July, hosted by Dan Serridge and featuring tales from Trinidad Cabezón Droguett and Andrew Wilson!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Close-Up Magic at The Joker & Thief

Close-Up Magic at The Joker & Thief

Selected dates between 31st October 2024 - 31st July 2025

Experience close-up magic with Tim Licata, one of Scotland’s most entertaining sleight-of-hand artists, at your table in the lovely Joker & Thief pub every Thursday!

READ MORE
Stand Up Horror

Stand Up Horror

Selected dates between 4th January 2025 - 20th December 2025

Actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night at Stand Up Horror... you decide what the characters do, find and sometimes - yes sometimes - even love!

READ MORE
The Roze Garden

The Roze Garden

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 31st July 2025

Looking for the best Thursday night out in Edinburgh? Discover The Roze Garden - Edinburgh’s Cabaret and Club Night at The Street!

READ MORE
Ghosts of the Banshee

Ghosts of the Banshee

Selected dates between 5th April 2025 - 19th July 2025

Are you brave enough to attend an unsettling night of ghosts in the Banshee Labyrinth - Scotland's Most Haunted Pub -  built into the legendary South Bridge Vaults.

READ MORE
99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

Selected dates between 5th April 2025 - 6th December 2025

Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret at at The Lab in CC Blooms!

READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Selected dates between 19th April 2025 - 19th July 2025

Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!

READ MORE
99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

99 Red Hot Kitties and a Cockatoo

Selected dates between 3rd May 2025 - 6th December 2025

Come and enjoy an afternoon filled with Burlesque, Drag, and Cabaret with Red Hot Kitty Burlesque and Cabaret in the fabulous atmosphere at The Lab in CC Blooms!

READ MORE
William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

8th July 2025

Don't miss this chance to hear William Dalrymple tell the story of how India became the great intellectual and philosophical superpower of ancient Asia.

READ MORE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

9th July 2025

The Three Inch Fools are back at Lauriston Castle on 9th July with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to celebrate their 10th anniversary!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
Escape The Past
Link
Escape The Past
Open Pass Scotland
Paisley First
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Popular Events

Adventure Cinema: Outdoor Cinema at Dalkeith Country Park
Adventure Cinema, the UK's largest outdoor cinema tour, returns this summer with incredible movies to watch under the sun and stars at Dalkeith Country Park!
Belfast Brunch Co
Expect a fun fuelled afternoon filled with R’n’B favourites, sing-along classics and nostalgic dance moments with The Belfast Brunch Co. at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 15th November!
Adults Sunset Silent Disco Cruise
Following the success of our Maid of the Forth family events, we're thrilled to launch our brand new Adults-Only Silent Disco Cruise, the ultimate summer night out on the Forth.
Liberty Inspired Repeat Pattern Workshop
Join tutor Emma Tudor-Bloch for this workshop at Dovecot on 12th July and learn how to draw repeat patterns inspired by Liberty designs!
Dinosaurs roar to life in a Jurassic takeover at Livingston Designer Outlet
Step into a Jurassic world of fun this summer at Livingston Designer Outlet where guests can enjoy a host of dinosaur-themed events, making it the ultimate day out to remember!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall