Wishing all our audience members, visitors, performers and their teams a very Merry Christmas! Thank you all for your support, it’s been a joy welcoming you this year! We look forward to welcoming some of you to Edinburgh International Magic Festival in between and the rest back in 2026!

An early present from us: this walking tour of new tales from the Old Town, first published in 2006 for Architecture Week (nearly 20 years ago!) The walk features some contemporary favourites, including @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social, @byleaveswelive.bsky.social and @scotstorycentre.bsky.social

✨Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, the Centre bookshop offers a thoughtfully chosen selection of folktale collections, storytelling resources, children’s books and so much more! ✨ ✨ Step into our medieval luckenbooths to explore an emporium of fables, myths, tall tales & much more! ✨

Due to maintenance, John Knox House will be closed 2nd February to 14th February 2026. During this time, there will be no access to the museum, but the Scottish Storytelling centre and Haggis Box Café shall remain open. We apologise for the inconvenience. @scotstorycentre.bsky.social #edinburgh

Visit the oldest shop on the Royal Mile, our wee book shop. If you are looking for a gift this Christmas, pop into our little bookshop on the ground floor of John Knox House. We have a Unique selection of storytelling books for adults and children. #edinburgh #johknoxhouse #bookshop #christmasgifts

No matter what century someone has looked out of one of our windows, the view of the Royal Mile at sunset will always be amazing. #edinburgh #royalmile #sunset #history #edinburghhistory #scotland #historicbuilsing #johnknoxhouse

✨ Macastory Presents: Cinderella✨ A Storytelling Panto Like No Other! For All the Family! Grab your tickets fast! And don’t forget to wear your best shoes! Specially designed by Macastory as a lovely introduction to Pantomime. 🎟️ shorturl.at/fHHYl #WhatsOnEdinburgh #Edinburgh #Pantomime

Join our company of wordsmiths and musicians Kath Burlinson, Ada Grace Francis, David Francis and Simon Thoumire for a seasonal miscellany of stories, poetry, music, and readings from Yuletide and beyond. 🎟️ shorturl.at/MyjfW Illustration & Design by wylliecat.co.uk

On Tuesday we were thrilled to welcome the Festivals Edinburgh family for a cross festival gathering. It was delightful to see so many familiar faces, meet some new & share experiences of what's been a phenomenal year for Edinburgh as a festival city. Here's to 2025 & what 2026 will bring!

We're officially looking festive - thanks to this beautiful Christmas tree from @bethanychristiantrust.com Caring Christmas Trees! 🎄 By choosing this tree, we’re not only filling our space with festive joy, but also supporting vital work to help people experiencing homelessness this winter. 1/2

Gather round the Christmas tree with Linda Williamson, Jane Mather and Heather Yule for an hour of stories, songs and live harp music inspired by, Tell Me a Story for Christmas: Traveller Tales by Duncan Williamson. A session sure to delight all ages young and old. 🎟️ shorturl.at/BbbAk

Join us for Easy Sundays with family and friends to get into the Christmas spirit! All dances will be called and there'll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music. 🎟️ shorturl.at/F8qX3 #WhatsOnEdinburgh #Edinburgh #FamiliesEdinburgh

Join us on Thursday evening for Queer Folks' Tales our hugely popular bi-monthly storytelling series. Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali, who is joined on 4 Dec by by performance artist Sadiq Ali, singer-songwriter Megan Black and stand-up Amanda Dwyer. 🎟️ shorturl.at/t1TNb

Macastory Presents: Cinderella A Storytelling Panto Like No Other! For All the Family! Be part of the magic – cheer for Cinders, boo the baddies, and help make sure that Cinders gets home from the ball before the clock strikes midnight! 🎟️ shorturl.at/fHHYl

Join us today for Fair Saturday, a global mobilisation that aims to create a positive social impact every last Saturday of November Come along for a drop-in session of traditional tales, with Mark Borthwick, Svend-Erik Engh, Alice Fernbank and Kirsten Milliken! 12pm -4pm #FairSaturday

Join us on #FairSaturday, a global mobilisation that aims to create a positive social impact, the day following Black Friday. Artists & cultural organisations from all over the world get together in a global festival of arts for change. Come along for a drop-in session of traditional tales! 🧚‍♀️

On Saturday night join actor and writer Paul Case for his nightmarish solo horror theatre piece which explores the intersection of class, race and sexuality during the violent beginnings of Australian history. More info & 🎟️ shorturl.at/Irtgn

Join Susanna Orr Holland on Friday evening to launch her second album. Through this Susanna has woven a strong collection of stirring songs and sublime arrangements. More info and tickets shorturl.at/w9rQ4

On Thursday night join host Dougie Mackay as he invites a different selection of Scotland’s finest storytellers, songwriters, musicians, and performing artists to each bi-monthly Hearth Fire Session to create an innovative showcase of Scotland’s contemporary culture. 🎟️ shorturl.at/6SwSl

A Wheen o’ Wimmin present Singing Our Stories, featuring five celebrated Scots singers who’ve shared many a stage both great and small. Featuring Aileen Carr, Elspeth Cowie, Barbara Dymock, Amy Lord & Chris Miles. More info & 🎟️ shorturl.at/bphKs

Silver, Salt and Stories - Images and Memories of the Scots Herring Women is centred around filmed interviews with 12 Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s through to the 1960s. Join Jill on Sat 15 Nov at 3pm for song and story to launch the exhibition! 🐟 shorturl.at/5OUY5

Join us to celebrate Fair Saturday’s 2025 programme at their Opening Party! With storytelling from Niall Moorjani & excerpts of Deiseil: Dancing in Time by step dancer Alison Carlyle & fiddle player Amy Geddes. Tickets for this event are free, but please book in advance. shorturl.at/YCFof

On Wednesday evening join the Burgh Blatherers for A Year and a Day. A cosy gathering in the relaxed surroundings of the Storytelling Court with refreshments available from the Haggis Box Café. 🎟 shorturl.at/SpSka

The Open Mic is back tonight! We are back @scottishstorytellingcentre with the tremendous feature Pepita Mwanga! The event is free with doors at 6.30 for a 7pm start. Here's a few more photos from October's Open Mic.

1/2 🎬 Lights, camera, action! Throughout the festival, we’ve had a select number of performances specially recorded, and we’re thrilled to share that the first two will be premiering today at 2pm and 3:30pm! 👉 Watch here: www.sisf.org.uk/home/recorde...

The 36th Scottish International Storytelling Festival, which looks to the folklore, myths and fairytales of the Nordic region, Scotland and Northern Europe – @louiscammell.bsky.social looks forward to this year's programme

Donald Smith, founder and director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, is set to retire at the end of 2025 after 36 years in post. Read more 👇

A girl faces a dragon. Songs and stories are her weapons and her armour. Join storyteller Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown for a magical tale about courage and dreams. This performance brings together tales and tunes from Lithuania and Scotland, with live music from Gaynor Barradell. 🎟️ shorturl.at/dxqKB

A Curious Episode at Balquhidder: Placenames in the North & the Nackens 28 Oct @scotstorycentre.bsky.social – free, ticketed Dr Robert Fell on how the folklore of Nackens (Scottish Gypsy Travellers) can give insights into Scotland’s history & place names sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:62...

TONIGHT! Don't miss our special showcase with Bad Betty Press, featuring the spectacular lineup of @mollynaylor.bsky.social @antoshwojcik.bsky.social @fxmpoetry.bsky.social & Agata Maslowska! 7pm @scotstorycentre.bsky.social. Tickets: scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:63...

Catch Angela Yausheva featuring at our open mic tonight! FREE & unticketed; just rock up! 6:30 doors for a 7pm start at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social. Info: scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:63...

On Wednesday with Macastory’s help, create your own mini-saga, learn it and tell it in the style of the ancient Viking Skalds. Prepare for sea monsters, battles & even a visit from the gods. Cast the mystical story runes, then it’s up to you what happens next! 🎟️ shorturl.at/lVodK #WhatsOnEdinburgh

“Stage is my safe space where I can be unapologetically myself.” Poet Angela Yausheva speaks to theQR about confession, connection and her upcoming @iamloudpro.bsky.social appearance (13 Oct - Scottish Storytelling Centre). Read → wp.me/p91wLp-zErvpdO #SpokenWord #AngelaYausheva #LoudPoets

This weekend we kick of with the first of our family shows for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival! 'Dispute with a Butterfly' follows the incredible journey of the Painted Lady Butterfly. More info & 🎟️ shorturl.at/pLfQ6

Experience all the family fun this October! The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is back and packed with magic for all ages these school holidays. From cosy bears, dragons, snowy forests and enchanted gardens - we have something for everyone! More info & 🎟️ bit.ly/4o9NBIi

Our first show back since Fringe will be at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social on the 16th of October at 7pm with our pals Bad Betty Press. Tickets: scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:63... Our first poet, on what is a truly spectacular lineup, is the outstanding Antosh Wojcik!

Join us on Thursday evening for Queer Folks' Tales 4th anniversary show and another queerer-than-queer line up! Hosted by Edinburgh’s Turan Ali who is joined on Thu 9 Oct by stand up Giulia Galastro, writer and illustrator Themo H. Peel and poet and writer Orla Shortall. 🎟️ shorturl.fm/PRGZt

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is back from 22 Oct to 1 Nov! We'll be joining the wonderful Allison Galbraith on Saturday 1 November to explore some Scottish legends as well as announce the winners of our #WordsOfTheWild nature writing competition.🌊 Book now at sisf.org.uk

Following an extensive judging process, we’re delighted to announce the 15 finalists of our Words of the Wild writing competition. Read the shortlist on our website and look out for the winners being announced at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. buff.ly/JTR9O2n

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival turns to the north this year, with a programme of events inspired by Nordic traditions. Elsewhere, there are launches at @portybooks.bsky.social, @lighthousebks.bsky.social, and more 📚

The Fringe Theatre Awards congratulate Lucy Beth with an EFFTA Award for Ma Name is Isabelle at George Mackay Brown Library at Scottish Storytelling Centre. Further information www.edfringe.com/tickets/what... #theFTA #EdFringe #edfringe2025 www.fringetheatreawards.co.uk/ed-fringe-20...

Review: Beastie – The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh Written by Izzy Gray With Original Music by Quee MacArthur Review by Dominic Corr Scottish Storytelling Centre ★★★★ The adage that the monster within us is the most dangerous of all is far from a unique concept, but to see it utilised…

My Scotsman review of Small Acts Of Love, the wonderful Citizens Theatre's beautiful, affirmative reopening show. Plus The Invaders' Fear Of Memories, a powerful monologue about Israel, Palestine, & the 1948 Naqba, @ Scottish Storytelling Centre over the weekend. www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...

Thanks also to all the venues we toured to–we are thrilled to share this nomination with you! Melrose Corn Exchange, Tron Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Macphail Centre, An Lanntair, Aros Centre, Dornie Community Hall, Lanternhouse, Corran Halls, Cove Burgh Hall, Mareel, Eden Court

The VHS team are launching the VHS 2026 Manifesto this morning at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. It's going to be a great event. We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

My friend Bob Fell will be talking about a curious episode at Balquhidder at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social on 28 Oct, with special guest Shamus McPhee. Free tickets so come along. #scotshistory #folklore sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:62...

We're so excited to be bringing you this ridiculous line-up of poets on the 16th of October at the @scotstorycentre.bsky.social. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mr2xs627 Our team up shows with Bad Betty Press are always a standout so make sure to grab your tickets and come join in the fun!

*This Weekend*

The Loud Poets Open Mic is back and at a NEW VENUE! Our home, our base, our favourite place! The Scottish Storytelling Centre Our first date back is September 29, featuring the amazing Arlo Bayne Free Entry, 7pm start Sign up to the open mic by filling out the form here: forms.gle/vqTAqqnt8rdZ...

Show announcement!!! Next month we're teaming up with Bad Betty Press for a stellar spoken word showcase! Expect fist-thumping, heart-wrenching, side-tickling poetry with live music! 16th Oct at @scotstorycentre.bsky.social. Tickets: scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:63...