Edinburgh International Book Festival
Scotland’s Year of Stories is well underway with a bumper list of events for you to take part in throughout 2022. Stories are weaved into the fabric of Scotland’s culture, and every community has a different tale to tell. Wherever you are this year keep an eye out for local events and festivals that will bring Scotland’s stories to life. Find out more about Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Below we’ve selected some events for you to look forward to this year and get excited about. Share your stories on social media with #TalesOfScotland and #YS2022.
Once Upon a Time in South Ayrshire, 23 Feb – 31 Dec
Check out Once Upon a Time in South Ayrshire, a year-long programme of events, exhibitions and experiences with something for everyone. Local tales and legends will be shared as well as iconic stories about some of Scotland’s most fascinating figures. Try the self-led journey Shadows of the Past… Ayr’s Myths, Legends and History where you will encounter life-sized character silhouettes, and experience Ayr and Alloway like never before.
Wire Women Sculpture Trail, Perth, July – October 2022
From July to October 2022, Perth city centre was home to twenty Wire Women sculptures – they have now been moved inside to St James Shopping Centre. These mesmerising works of art represent a series of trailblazing women who have made their mark on Perthshire’s history. Follow the sculpture trail around the city and you will discover the inspirational stories and extraordinary deeds that changed the course of our history, society, and culture.
Songs from the Last Page, March – October 2022
Songs from the Last Page is a brand-new collection of songs created by Chamber Music Scotland, each one taking the last page of a book and transforming it into music. In 2022, the project will deliver a special programme of song-writing workshops and live performances at book festivals, libraries and community groups across Scotland. Enjoy upcoming performances at An Crùbh on the Isle of Skye in August
Map of Stories, October – November 2022
Benmore Botanic Garden
Map of Stories is a series of multimedia performances, featuring storytellers and filmed footage, creating a showcase of unique ‘film ceilidhs’ that celebrate the ancient tradition of oral storytelling.
Each performance will go on tour to its region of focus – Dumfries & Galloway, the North East, Perth & Kinross, the Outer Hebrides, and Orkney – exploring the distinctive stories, memories and folklore arising from that particular community and landscape.
Seanachas, year-round 2022
As part of a year long series of events, Seanachas (based at An Lanntair in the Outer Hebrides) will host the Faclan Book Festival in November and a Year of Stories celebration in December. Check out more events.
Yoyo and the Little Auk, January – December 2022
© Gavin C Robinson / Visible Fictions / RSNO
Introduce Nursery to P2 children (age 3-6) to the magic of classical music with Yoyo & The Little Auk – a new and inspiring Scottish adventure from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Visible Fictions. They have events coming up later in October in Edinburgh, North Berwick and Dundee.
Northern Stories Festival, Caithness, 7 – 16 October 2022
Celebrating our ancient Nordic connections and our close ties to North America, Northern Stories Festival will connect the lochs and coastline of the North Highlands, the fjords of Norway and the Great Lakes of Canada. Expect an exciting programme of online and in-person events will include an international line-up of performers and story-tellers from the Highlands, Scandinavia and Canada.
Wigtown Book Festival, 23 September – 2 October 2022 & year-round
Wigtown bookshops
Wigtown is a traditional market town, set in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. This lively place is Scotland’s National Book Town, owing to its dozen or so second-hand bookshops and annual literary festival. Festival highlights this year include Into the Nicht and Walter in Wonderland as well as an enhanced year-round programme of events.
Tales from the Castle, Stirling Castle, 25 & 26 November 2022
Stirling Castle
Enjoy a chance to experience Scotland’s extraordinary stories at Stirling Castle after hours this November. Follow the storytelling trail through ancient archways, rich courtyards and glorious halls to unlock iconic tales and hidden truths in the wake of sunset. Encounter characters from the castle’s past and watch them bring the greatest castle tales to life.
Figures of Speech, May – December 2022
The Scottish Storytelling Centre & Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust are proudly presenting Figures of Speech this year. Expect prominent and emerging figures engaging with iconic stories and imagining them afresh, sparking new dialogues and directions. A road trip through Scottish literature, these are live, in-person events which will be recorded and made available as online specials throughout 2022 in two seasons; May to July and September to November. We are in the midst of the second season now so head along and don’t miss out. Covering six universal themes (music, friendship, future, love, place, big ideas), each event explores literary blockbusters, hidden gems and modern classics.
Booking a ticket to an event this year is a great way to catch up with friends and family, as well as benefiting the local community. Scotland’s storytelling culture can bring people together and uplift local communities – and you can be a part of it. Find out more about Year of Stories events.
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