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
	Facebook information can be found here
	Follow ScottishStorytellingCentre on Instagram

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.

BlueSky - @scotstorycentre.bsky.social

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Upcoming Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre

Theatre

Balancing in Freedom

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

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Following a sold-out, standing-ovation premiere at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in 2025, Balancing in Freedom returns to the stage in 2026.

Exhibitions

Exhibition: Retrospective Eras

13th February 2026 - 8th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

The Retrospective Eras exhibition at the Scottish Storytelling Centre features a selection of pictures by the late artist William T Ord.

Theatre

Loud Poets Spoken Word Showcase

26th February 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Expect fist-thumping, heart-wrenching, side-tickling poetry performances with live musical accompaniment at the February edition of the Loud Poets Spoken Word Showcase!

Talks and Lectures

Oidhche Rannsachadh tro Ghàidhlig: Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026 - World Gaelic Week 2026

27th February 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join Scottish Storytelling Centre on 27th February for this talk which will explore research on Gaelic culture and language and engage with subjects of other social sciences, humanities and science!

Storytelling

Guid Crack: To the Gaels with Love / Do na Gàidheil, le gaol

27th February 2026

The Waverley Bar, Edinburgh Old Town

Join guest storyteller Caroline Carmichael at The Waverley Bar on Tuesday 27th February for a celebration of Gaelic stories and culture as part of Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026!

Storytelling

Easy Sundays: Sea Story Quilting with Beth Cross

Selected dates between 1st March 2026 - 15th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join storyteller Beth Cross at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for part of Easy Sundays, a fortnightly session of stories, music, community, friendship and activities!

Music

Easy Sundays: Lothian Gaelic Choir

1st March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join the Lothian Gaelic Choir for a pop-up performance in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court on Sunday 1st March to celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2026!

Music

They’ll Aye Remain: Amy Leach & Alasdair Paul Album Launch

5th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join Scots song duo Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul for the launch of their debut album They'll Aye Remain at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thursday 5th March!

Music

North Atlantic Song Convention

6th March 2026 - 8th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Enjoy an unforgettable three days of concerts, workshops and talks featuring a stunning line-up of international and local artists as the NASC returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre for 2026!

Exhibitions

Exhibition: Families Belong Together

13th March 2026 - 26th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

This exhibition documents the lives of 10 couples and families to illustrate the human cost of the spouse/partner migration policy and their sense of being continuously in limbo!

Theatre

Ideas Jukebox: By Hazel Darwin-Clements

14th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Watch BIG ideas come to life when they get played on the Jukebox and then add your own ideas to the mix in an Independent Arts Projects' production by Hazel Darwin-Clements!

Theatre

Maya and the Whale

14th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Coming to the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Maya and The Whale is the story of a young climate activist on the run, grappling for hope amid unfolding global disasters.

Storytelling

Hearth Fire Sessions

19th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Join the Scottish Storytelling Centre for their first Hearth Fire Session of 2026 featuring Beverley Bryant, Dougie Mackay, Linda Perttula and Esther Swift on Thursday 19th March!

Theatre

Witches Corner

22nd March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Experience magic or misogyny with Witches Corner, an upbeat new play with original songs that turns Scottish history into a powerful, must-see celebration of feminine strength and justice!

Storytelling

Thaw: by Shona Cowie

28th March 2026

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Old Town

Fresh from new motherhood and fuelled by sleep deprivation, Shona Cowie brings a brilliant warm-up gig to the Scottish Storytelling Centre, blending the oldest stories with a dash of quantum theory!

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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