We’re delighted to invite you to free Wellbeing Sessions for Women 50+ delivered in partnership with Creative Edinburgh.
Join us for one (or more!) of three upcoming wellbeing sessions this autumn, each designed by artists to offer a welcoming space to learn new skills, share experiences, and connect.
First up: Paper Weaving Workshop with Sally Price
Thursday 17 September, 10am
You may know Sally from her work across some of our much-loved projects taking place at North Edinburgh Arts: Saturday Arts & Dance, Room for Art, and Art Buds Collective, and now she’s bringing her creativity to this new workshop.
In this session, Sally will guide us through a simple yet effective paper weaving technique, playing with colour, pattern and process. Repetitive and relaxing, paper weaving keeps your hands busy and your mind focused, using a mix of papers, including recycled and hand-painted pieces, to create beautiful results.
These sessions encourage personal expression and joyful creativity, helping build confidence and a sense of wellbeing.
This year’s Big Butterfly Count results show a good summer for most widespread butterflies
However, Butterfly Conservation warns the impact of the hot, dry weather may have hit caterpillars hard, with many facing starvation
Charity shares three top tips to ‘drought-proof’ gardens and help butterflies
The results of Butterfly Conservation’s 2026 Big Butterfly Count are in and show it was a very good summer for butterflies. But experts warn that despite a good year, what comes next could be dire …
With the Met Office confirming it ‘increasingly likely’ to be the hottest summer on record, August saw the UK’s National Drought Group declare that more than 70% of England was officially in drought, with almost all of the UK experiencing drier than usual conditions.
As a result, the charity fears that the real cost of this summer’s extreme weather may not be felt until next year, when this year’s drought-stressed caterpillars should be emerging as adults.
Professor Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said:“This has been one of the hottest, driest summers on record, and the figures certainly suggest that was good news for many of the widespread butterfly species monitored by the Count. In fact, it was the second-best year in the 16 year history of the Big Butterfly Count!
“Adult butterflies love hot, sunny weather for flying, feeding and breeding, and that’s exactly why people saw so many this summer. But a good summer for adult butterflies is not the same as a good summer for butterfly populations.
“What matters far more is what’s happening on the ground, to the butterflies’ caterpillar offspring and the plants they depend on. The very same weather that made it a good year for butterflies – lots of sunshine and very little rain – could mean we’re actually on course for a population crash, which could take years to recover from.”
ButterflyWinners and Losers
During this year’s Big Butterfly Count, 101,565 participants recorded almost 1.4 million butterflies and moths across the UK.
Among individual species there were winners and losers. More species had above-average counts this summer than below-average. Holly Blue and Gatekeeper both had their best ever Big Butterfly Count results, and Small Copper its third best. Holly Blue abundance has increased by 42% over the 16 years of Big Butterfly Count and Small Copper has increased by 93%.
No species had its worst Big Butterfly Count in 2026, but it was the second-worst year for Small Tortoiseshell, which has now decreased by 66% since the Count began. Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Ringlet, all species known to be sensitive to drought, were seen in below-average numbers and show declines of 44%, 54% and 39%, respectively, since 2011.
One of the standout stories was the Painted Lady, up 335% on last year, in what’s been widely described as a ‘Painted Lady summer’. It was the second-best year for Painted Lady since the Big Butterfly Count started and its abundance has increased by 74% over that time. Painted Ladies undertake one of the most remarkable insect migrations in the world, arriving in Britain via a relay of several generations, each flying a leg of the journey from Africa, across the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, before reaching UK shores.
Small White topped the national table this year, with 281,634 recorded, ahead of Gatekeeper (211,029), Large White (190,295), Red Admiral (141,178) and Meadow Brown (134,335) rounding out the top five.
A difficult year ahead
Butterfly Conservation’s greater concern lies not with this summer’s results, but with the impact of the extreme summer weather experienced across much of Britain on butterflies next year and in the longer term.
This year, many of the plants that caterpillars depend on had withered or died before the caterpillars had finished feeding on them, and the charity fears the impact on butterfly and moth populations will become fully apparent in 2027.
Professor Fox added:“Our real worry isn’t this summer, it’s what happens next. We’ve been here before and it’s not good; the extreme droughts in 1976 and 1995 had severe impacts on butterfly populations, with some species never fully recovering.
“And the major problem we have now is that 80% of the UK’s butterflies have declined since the 1970s, so many are already struggling for survival, without these extreme weather pressures.
“With increasingly hot, dry summers and droughts predicted to become more and more frequent due to climate breakdown, degraded habitats and already depleted butterfly populations, some species may be pushed further and faster towards extinction, which is a very sombre thought.
“They are, quite simply, less resilient to these events, which means we could be looking at very difficult years ahead.”
Three top tips to ‘drought-proof’ gardens for butterflies
Butterfly Conservation is calling on people across the UK to take three simple ‘drought-proofing’ actions in their gardens and outdoor spaces this winter to help caterpillars, and in turn, butterflies and moths:
1. Plant more trees and shrubs
Holly, Ivy and Buckthorn are among the best choices for butterflies. Holly and Ivy together support garden favourite the Holly Blue, while flowering Ivy is also a valuable late-season nectar source for the colourful Red Admiral and charming Comma, as well as a host of bees, moths and hoverflies.
Buckthorns are the food source for Brimstone caterpillars, whose sunshine-yellow butterflies often herald the start of spring.
Species such as oaks, Hawthorn, birches, apples and willows all provide homes for caterpillars of a wide array of native moths.
All are widely available, low-maintenance, and provide shade and shelter from heatwaves as well as food for caterpillars and adult insects. Their deep roots and dense structure also help them cope with dry conditions once established.
2. Set up water butts
Collecting rainwater through autumn and winter, when it’s plentiful, means there’s a reserve to fall back on for key plants during a dry summer.
With numerous hosepipe bans enforced in 2026, preparing now could be the key to helping butterflies next year when the hot, dry weather is predicted to return.
3. Leave patches of grass to grow long
Left uncut, grass develops deeper roots and stays green for longer than a closely mown lawn, which browns off quickly in a drought. Longer grass also provides caterpillar foodplants for species like Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, and creates cooler, damper conditions for butterflies to seek refuge during heatwaves.
Research by Butterfly Conservation scientists showed that gardens with a patch of long grass saw up to 93% more butterflies and a wider range of species, so this is one free and simple change that could really help butterflies when they need it most.
The Big Butterfly Count will return in 2027, when citizen scientists across the UK will be more important than ever before to help discover the true impact of this summer’s extreme weather.
Mark your diary now… Big Butterfly Count 2027 – Friday 9 July – Sunday 1 August.
*This year, Butterfly Conservation has developed and applied a new analysis to account for variations in flight times of butterflies. Many species emerged earlier than normal in 2026 due to the heat, and some had almost finished before this summer’s Big Butterfly Count started. The new analysis adjusts for such changes to ensure accurate representation of butterfly populations.
**Flight period adjustment is not available for moths or Scotch Argus at present.
PICTURED TOP: Small Copper in a very dry landscape – Pete Hughes
BLACHALL LIBRARY (D MAINS SCHOOL) from 5.30 – 6.30pm
Our new teen book group starts tomorrow!
Why not bring a friend with you?
Blackhall Library, 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Free to attend!
Doors Open Days Can Help Us Fall In Love With Edinburgh Again
Over 100 venues across Edinburgh and East Lothian to open their doors for Scotland’s largest free heritage festival
Fall in love with Edinburgh again – that is the challenge to residents as Doors Open Day returns with its most accessible ever programme of events.
The two-day festival on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026 will give locals free access to buildings, unique experiences and a new perspective on the spaces and stories that shape Edinburgh and East Lothian.
Coordinated locally by The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s civic trust, this year’s event will bring together over 100 venues spanning the length and breadth of the city, and beyond, with a programme ranging from guided walking tours, events for children and young people, novel partnerships, and rare behind-the-scenes opportunities.
This year’s theme, Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine, invites participating venues and visitors to explore how Edinburgh’s built heritage is being protected, adapted for new uses, and reimagined for the future.
As the coordinators of Doors Open Days in a region shaped by the pressures of over-tourism, The Cockburn Association believes residents should also benefit from their own city’s cultural landscape, and that engaging with local heritage brings genuine benefits to health and wellbeing.
This year’s festival builds on our digital offerings, making it more accessible than ever and giving residents more ways to take part without leaving their homes.
Now in its 36th year locally, after beginning in France in 1984. Doors Open Days first arrived in the UK in Glasgow in 1990. It has since grown into Scotland’s largest free cultural festival, with more than 950 venues taking part nationally last year.
Unlike much of Edinburgh’s cultural offer, Doors Open Days is aimed squarely at residents, encouraging people to see their own city with fresh eyes, and it’s FREE.
Stephen Jardine, President of The Cockburn Association, said: “At a time when Edinburgh is under more pressure than ever, it’s easy to overlook what makes Scotland’s capital so special.
“Doors Open Days is a chance for us to encounter the amazing heritage we have all around us. I’d encourage everyone to use it as an opportunity to explore the city with fresh eyes….and to fall in love with Edinburgh again”
Rowan Brown, Director of The Cockburn Association, said: “I’m thrilled that the Cockburn is coordinating part of Scotland’s largest free heritage festival and delighted that it’s set to be our most accessible yet, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities.
“There is unequivocal evidence that engaging with heritage makes you happier, and healthier, so be kind to yourself, your friends and your family and join in one or, ideally, several, free Doors Open Days events.
“I’m extremely grateful to our Doors Open Days Venue Hosts and Volunteers, my colleagues and our sponsors, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Neilson Family Foundation, whose collective civic spirit is simply inspiring.”
INVITING EVERY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD IN EDINBURGH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPACT ARTS
This year’s festival also includes a landmark initiative to send a Doors Open Days invitation to every primary school child in Edinburgh, extending the festival’s reach to the city’s youngest residents and helping build a lifelong relationship with the city’s heritage from an early age.
Delivered in partnership with Impact Arts, a Scottish charity established in 1994 that uses creativity to tackle inequalities and transform young people’s lives, engaging communities across almost all of Scotland’s local authorities, the first 10,000 primary school children to attend selected venues on the 26 and 27 of September will receive a free box of Cockburn-branded coloured pencils and a monochrome artwork created by Impact Arts.
Due to a shipment delay, free boxes of Cockburn-branded coloured pencils will be available at some, but not all, participating venues.
Children are then invited to colour in their artwork and submit it as part of a competition, with prizes generously donated by Camera Obscura, Filmhouse, the National Galleries of Scotland and Contini which will be awarded by our President. Competition entries must be submitted by Friday, 9th of October.
Winners will be notified on Monday, 26th of October, ahead of our prize-giving ceremony on Thursday, 12th of November (venue to be announced).
Impact Arts will also host an exhibition at St Michael’s Parish Church, accompanied by a booklet showcasing the artwork and participating venues, available in print and online.
PARTNERING WITH INVISIBLE CITIES
This year’s festival also includes a partnership with Invisible Cities, a social enterprise that trains people with experience of homelessness to become walking tour guides.
The Cockburn Association has funded four tours over the Doors Open Days weekend, giving residents a unique perspective on the city.
PARTNERING WITH THE TRINITY NETWORK
As part of the digital offerings, The Cockburn Association is also partnering with Jill Harrison, a research associate at the Open University and the lead of the Trinity Network to curate an online exhibition on Trinity Apse, one of Edinburgh’s finest medieval structures, and all that remains of a church built in the 1460s for Mary of Guelders, Queen of Scotland.
Built around this year’s Doors Open Days theme, Heritage at Risk, the exhibition revives the story of the apse and its founder, resists their slide into obscurity, and reimagines what the building’s future could hold.
All events are free to attend, but on some experiences, spaces are limited.
The full programme of venues and activities went live on the Doors Open Days website on 31 July 2026, at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.
Scotland’s political landscape is changing fast. The question for everyone working to end poverty is what we do about it.
At this year’s National Conference, we will bring campaigners, community organisations, policymakers and people with lived experience of poverty into one room to work on that question together.
*Book your place before 18 September to receive an Early Bird rate!
A new report published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) estimates the burden of disease attributable to physical inactivity from selected mental health and musculoskeletal conditions in Scotland.
The analysis was jointly commissioned by PHS, Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) and the Active Scotland team within the Scottish Government. It builds on previous analysis of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, to provide a more complete picture of the impact of physical inactivity on the nation’s health.
The report estimates that more than 12,000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are attributable to physical inactivity from mental health and musculoskeletal conditions alone. When combined with the previous analysis, physical inactivity is estimated to account for nearly 24,000 DALYs each year in Scotland. Mental health conditions account for around 38% of the newly identified total burden, with anxiety the largest contributor.
DALYs are a measure used to help show the impact of ill health on both length and quality of life. They combine years of life lost due to premature death with years lived in less than full health.
While the relationship between physical inactivity and conditions such as cardiovascular disease is well established, these findings show that it also contributes significantly to poor mental health, disability and reduced quality of life.
Addressing the social, economic and environmental barriers that influence activity levels is key to supporting active lifestyles, helping those who are least active to move more and preventing others from becoming inactive.
Dr Dionne Mackison, Head of Place, Environment and Health Harms at Public Health Scotland said:“This report reinforces the importance of physical activity as a key determinant of health, underlining its role supporting good mental wellbeing, mobility and independence throughout life.
“Our Together We Can strategy, focuses on prevention and creating the conditions that enable people and communities to live healthier lives. Supporting people to be more active is crucial in preventing ill health and reducing health inequalities.”
Alex Cumming, Executive Director of Delivery and Service Development at Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) said:“This research project yet again highlights the importance of good mental health and its foundation in us all leading healthy, active lives.
“Creating the conditions which enable people to be more active, is an early and preventative approach to mental health. Supporting active, connected communities can help reduce the wider burden of disease and improve the quality of life for people impacted by mental health.”
Responding to the Public Health Scotland report, Lauren Bennie, Head of Scotland for Arthritis UK, said:“This report highlights the significant impact musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions have on people’s health and quality of life across Scotland, and the important role physical activity can play in prevention and management.
“Importantly, it notes that MSK problems are ‘among the most common reasons for GP consultations and work absence’, highlighting their wider impact on individuals, health services and the economy.
“While the report estimates that physical inactivity contributes to the loss of more than 3,000 years of healthy life through MSK conditions, for people living with arthritis, being active is not always easy. Pain, stiffness, fatigue and reduced mobility can themselves create major barriers to physical activity, creating a vicious cycle that can further impact people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
“The substantial contribution of mental health and musculoskeletal conditions to the disability burden demonstrates that increasing physical activity is critical not just for living longer, but for living healthier lives, benefiting the individual, society and the economy.
“With around 1.7 million adults in Scotland living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, we need a much greater focus on prevention, early intervention and access to the right treatment and support.
“That is why Arthritis UK is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce Scotland’s first MSK Action Plan and include MSK conditions in the upcoming Long Term Conditions Strategy, providing the coordinated national approach needed to improve MSK health and help people live healthier, more active and independent lives.”
Free-to-enter global competition launches as new PISA results reignite focus on numeracy and attainment
Youngsters aged 4 to 14 are being invited to put their mathematical skills to the test as part of Maths Week Scotland 2026, with entries now open for the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge.
Organised by Glasgow-based educational technology provider British Youth International College (BYITC), the free-to-enter challenge will run during Maths Week Scotland from 21 to 27 September, giving young learners from around the world the opportunity to compete alongside their peers in a global celebration of mathematics.
The launch comes as the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results highlight the growing importance of raising attainment and engagement in mathematics. The international study, published this week, showed England improving its position in maths, reading and science, while Scotland and Wales recorded lower rankings, reinforcing calls across the education sector for continued investment and innovation to support numeracy and learning outcomes.
Since its launch, participation in the International Maths Olympiad Challenge has grown significantly, with numbers increasing by approximately 60 per cent since 2015 and thousands of students from more than 50 countries now taking part each year.
Notably, around 90 per cent of Olympiad winners to date have come from the UK, demonstrating the strong mathematical talent being developed across the country while also highlighting the opportunity for young people to benchmark their abilities against peers from around the world.
Dr Rashmi Mantri OBE, Founder and CEO of BYITC Supermaths, said: “Reaching the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is a proud milestone for everyone involved with BYITC.
“The latest PISA results have once again sparked important discussions about educational standards and attainment. Opportunities that encourage children to engage positively with mathematics, build confidence and challenge themselves beyond the classroom have never been more important.
“Through the Olympiad, children can experience the excitement of competing on a global stage while strengthening logical thinking, problem-solving abilities and numeracy skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”
The competition has been designed to encourage children to challenge themselves, improve their speed and accuracy, and develop a positive relationship with mathematics. Open to all children aged 4 to 14, the Olympiad allows participants to test their abilities against age-appropriate challenges in a supportive and competitive environment.
A key feature of the competition is the technology that enables thousands of participants from different locations to take part in a common challenge. BYITC Supermaths has developed sophisticated digital infrastructure to support the online delivery of the Olympiad, including assessment, results processing and participant management at scale.
Dr Mantri added: “One of the most valuable aspects of the Olympiad is the opportunity for children to measure themselves against international peers.
“While UK participants have historically achieved remarkable success, winning around 90 per cent of awards over the years, the competition also exposes children to a truly global learning environment that broadens horizons and inspires ambition.
“Technology has played a vital role in the growth of the Olympiad over the past decade. It allows us to connect children from different countries, provide a seamless competition experience and celebrate mathematical achievement on a global scale.
“Most importantly, the Olympiad demonstrates that mathematics can be exciting, rewarding and accessible to every child.
“As we celebrate Maths Week Scotland, we are encouraging families, schools and young learners to get involved and experience the challenge for themselves.”
Participants will compete for a range of awards, with trophies and certificates presented to winners across the various categories.
The 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is free to enter and open to children aged 4 to 14 worldwide.
The William Syson Foundation Travel Fundwas launched in 2024 as a two-year pilot with a £120,000 grant commitment to encourage and support Scottish school pupils to visit, study and learn about art in Scotland’s world-class galleries and museums – and evidence and evaluation demonstrate that the Travel Fund has been a major success.
Over the two academic years of the fund, during which, the William Syson Foundation funded the programme, 150 schools and 5,400 school students visited a gallery and received a guided tour and high-quality art workshop directly tied to the curriculum at no cost to the school or the art gallery/museum.
The programme successfully removed barriers to art education and fostered a connection between schools and the galleries/museums, with a significant number of young people visiting a gallery or museum for the very first time.
• The rationale for creating theWilliam Syson Foundation Travel Fund:
Post-pandemic, the Foundation recognised a concerning and growing trend of reductions in school visits to art galleries and museums in Scotland. Research demonstrated that decreases in available funding and restricted staff resources for school visits had negatively impacted schools being able to undertake in-person day visits. One of the key findings was that the cost of travel to and from galleries and museums had become prohibitive for schools.
The following were amongst the key findings reported when schools, particularly in areas of multiple deprivation, were asked about factors that would support them wishing to reinstate visits to art galleries and museums:
– 70% of schools responded that free learning activities would encourage out-of school visits to take place and
– 64% responded that support for travel costs would have significant positive impact
• The William Syson Foundation Travel Fund was launched in 2024 to address both the above findings via a specially created grant from the Foundation that would allow schools to bring pupils to galleries and museums at no cost to the school or to the gallery/museum.
The Travel Fund was created initially as a two-year pilot in partnership with three of Scotland’s foremost cultural organisations – Aberdeen Art Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow and the National Galleries of Scotland and ran from August 2024 until June 2026.
With high demand and clear nation-wide benefits, the fund has recently been extended by the Foundation to cover the next academic year ending June 2027 (taking our total investment to nearly £190,000).
• Results
150 schools and 5,400 school students visited the three partner galleries/museums, who would not otherwise have attended. See Notes to Editors for a selection of schools.
The William Syson Foundation Travel Fund successfully removed barriers to art education and fostered a connection between schools and the galleries/museums, noting that around half of all pupils had never been to the art gallery before.
The funding employed freelance art educators, supported gallery staff, removed the administration burden from schools, provided teachers with practical support for their curriculum lessons, and gave school children a face-to-face, in person experience of engaging with the world-class artworks held in the galleries’/museums’ collections.
The Travel Fund pilot is already an evidence-based success. With costs at only £22 per pupil, the programme has led to a significant increase in school visits to the three partner organisations, thereby embedding art appreciation in the school pupils and encouraging engagement with the national collections.
• The Future
With a successful pilot track record established, The William Syson Foundation is working to embed the Travel Fund as a multi-year programme across other locations in Scotland.
The Foundation is currently recruiting other charitable and third-sector partners whose support will extend and grow this inspiring project into the future.
The next academic year 2026/27 has been fully extended by the Foundation to continue this work.
Today (Tue 15 Sep) with support from the Scottish Government’s Expanded Festivals Fund, Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding and the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 37th festival programme.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (21 October to 31 October 2026) organised by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), is the world’s largest annual celebration of storytelling, based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, but reaching out across Scotland each autumn.
Over the 11 days of the festival, in true cèilidh tradition, some of Scotland’s finest storytellers will welcome and share the stage with guest storytellers from Turkiye, Italy, Ireland, Canada and England, exploring the rich relationship between storytelling and the natural world through this year’s theme Bird and Beast.
Highlights include:
● The opening event of the festival Aderyn/Bird, with Ailsa Dixon and Ffion Phillips, whose sell-out show during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe weaves together Welsh and Scots language with magical tales of birds.
● Drut’syla traditional storyteller Shonaleigh collaborating with Turkish storytellers Nazlı Çevik Azazi and Roza Erdem to interweave traditional Anatolian tales with Shonaleigh’s ‘Bubbe’s tales’ that have been passed down through the generations.
● Italian storytellers Paola Balbi and Davide Bardi sharing a poetic and musical tale about the early years of Leonardo Da Vinci.
● Bologna’s Fraternal Compagnia APS, presenting their reinterpretation of the myth of Dedalus and Icarus. This timeless tale of rebellion and power, will be performed in recognition of the centenary of Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo.
● Tony Bonning and Allison Galbraith sharing tales of a fiery Clydesdale and a recounting of Tony’s epic adventure travelling with his horse Chief across Scotland collecting Kelpie tales, in the Year of the Horse.
● The Celtic myth of Mad Sweeney, and the story of Colin MacLeod and the Pollok Free State presented by David Hughes, sharing stories of community and resistance, belonging, masculinity and madness.
● Recently appointed Scots Scriever Claire White sharing music, film and stories from Shetland.
● Lithuanian storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaite-Brown blending folklore, family legacy, and history in Bird of Truth, accompanied by Edinburgh’s Sutartinės Lithuanian folk singers.
● Storyteller Donald Smith leading two epic storytelling sessions each over three hours in length. The first exploring the life of St Columba and the second the legends of Ossian. Each session of Rewilding Scotland’s Epics is presented in collaboration with guest storytellers from across Scotland and Ireland.
● Riikka Palonen sharing tales from the cow sheds of Finland and Satu Lankinen teaching a Nordic cow-call ‘kulning’ and exploring traditional herding songs.
● Freya McCall, Shaneen McGurnaghan and Nina Willms sharing stories and songs exploring historically-inspired stories about women weaving themselves agency, alongside three spinsters who spin fate.
● Ailsa Dixon sharing fascinating historical tales of feral, seaweed eating sheep on the Isle of North Ronaldsay who live within a 13 km area hemmed in by a dry stane dyke
● An anniversary event to mark 20 years of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and 20 years of the National Theatre of Scotland. This event, Culture, Democracy and the Stateless Nationon Fri 23 Oct, includes a special in-conversation with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and theatre critic Joyce McMillan.
● 20 years of The Man Who Planted Trees with Richard Medrington,Rick Conte, Puppet State’s Elspeth Murray and Dog reminiscing and resharing their favourite bits of the show.
Plus, plenty of classics including Farsi masterpiece The Conference of the Birds retold by storyteller Jumana Moon and Dawud Duncan; The Battle of the Birds darkly reimagined for Samhuinn by storyteller Owen Pilgrim; Peter Chandand Kirsten Milliken sharing tales of nymphs and water; and North East storytellers Sheena Blackhall, Jackie Ross and Arwen Scott sharing some of Traveller storyteller Stanley Robertson’s favourite nature tales.
In addition, Nana Tomova launches her new book Bulgarian Folk Tales; Deaf storyteller Tania Allan and a group of BSL Storytelling Apprentices share stories of birds and beasts; Màiri MacMillan leads a session When the Birds Spoke Gaelic weaving song with bird calls and music; and Traveller storyteller Jess Smith presents the fairy tale Mossycoat, with live harp and dance.
For younger audiences and families there’s a packed programme of events over the October school holidays kicking off on Saturday 10 October, ahead of the festival’s main programme.
Family highlights include a free Family Storytelling Day at the National Museum of Scotland on Saturday 24 October; craft workshops to celebrate Samhuinn; new storytelling sessions at Edinburgh Zoo; an opportunity to celebrate our shared living heritage through a full day of story, crafts, dance, music and song (17 Oct); the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s announcement of this year’s winners of the Words of the Wild nature writing competition.
Plus, there are workshops for young tellers age 7-10 years to learn the art of live storytelling, kicking off with a different Aesop Fable each day; the premiere of Andy Cannon’s new show The Last People on Earth about the Battle for Mons Graupius, almost 2000 years ago; sensory stories; and the return of festival favourites Macastory.
Throughout the festival, audiences can also enjoy relaxed Open Hearth sessions with storytellers and musicians; share their own stories on different themes in Morning Circles and Story Circles; and participate in workshops.
Workshop highlightsinclude tipson live story translation; ghost storytelling with Ines Alvarez Villa and Deaf BSL storyteller Tania Allan; theatrical storytelling skills through improvisation and mask work with Bologna’s famous Fraternal Compagnia APS who are guests at this year’s festival; an introduction to Greek myths Psyche and Eros exploring moments of ancient wisdom and how they resonate with us today; and how to make stories accessible for all audiences particularly those who speak different languages.
Go Local returns this year, with over 100 events taking place in community halls, pubs and parks across Scotland. New voices from East Lothian will be joining storytellers from Shetland to Dumfries throughout October and November, to celebrate Scottish storytelling.
Finally, this year’s festival exhibition Folkloria!, hosted at the Scottish Storytelling Centre will feature prints and illustrations by Morvern Graham whose work is rooted in the realms of folklore, wild places, landscape and history.
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
Culture Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllansaid: “Over nearly four decades, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival has celebrated our nation’s rich storytelling traditions, bringing together voices from across Scotland and around the world.
“Backed by multi-year funding from Creative Scotland and the Expanded Festivals Fund, the Scottish Government is proud to support this outstanding, globally significant cultural event.
“As we mark 20 years of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, this year’s programme theme, Bird and Beast, captures the deep connection between our stories and the natural world we share. The largest ever Go Local programme underlines the importance the festival places on community, and bringing people together, through events in towns and villages across Scotland.
“I’d encourage everyone to explore this year’s programme and discover storytelling’s power to connect us with each other and the world around us.”
Daniel Abercrombie, Scottish International Storytelling Festival Director said: “We are delighted to present this special moment in Scotland’s storytelling calendar which showcases this wonderful oral tradition across the whole of Scotland.
“The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a place where creative opportunities are nurtured and where creative risks can be taken, where the tradition is safeguarded and the contemporary is encouraged.
“Our Bird and Beast theme this year allows us a chance to enjoy and explore stories which carry a message about the way humans can understand and respect the planet we share with animals and nature.
“We look forward to welcoming old and new friends this autumn, to celebrate with a programme full of imagination, opportunity and generosity, led with great skill and enthusiasm by our storytellers, for it’s through them that we continue to celebrate and be proud of our storytelling scene in Scotland.”
Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland, said: “Storytelling is a vital part of Scotland’s cultural life- connecting us to our heritage while creating space for new voices, new ideas and international exchange.
This year’s festival will weave these strands together in a programme that celebrates Scotland’s rich storytelling traditions while opening them up to audiences and artists from around the world and making storytelling accessible to communities and audiences across Scotland.”
A healthy shared breakfast is included
For women aged 50+
Free, but registration required
*Book your place before 18 September to receive an Early Bird rate!
