Storytelling started for me when I first began writing short films. Having struggled to maintain a consistent voice for the duration of a novel, I found that the ten minute tale matched my attention span perfectly.
I see the role of a storyteller as three-fold - first to curate and nurture the great wealth of old stories that make up our oral history. Secondly, to bring the stories to life in the telling of them and lastly, to keep the spirit of creation alive by finding the myths that talk to a new generation, creating the stories that will inspire those future tellers of tales. Curation, oration and creation.
I live in Dunbar, East Lothian but I spend as much time as I can in the Highlands, the Islands and on the West Coast. I run workshops and sessions in the area - everything from inglenook sessions to story-tents in the woods. Contact me if you would like to discuss a booking.
“It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
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Finn and the Bottle
This story is set on a beach not far from where I live. It is a magical place with a real sense of wilderness. It is inspired by the stories of Scheherazade and the Tales of 1001 Nights... |
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The Man Who Lost His Luck
This tale involves some very basic BSL signs. I have used some of the signs in storytelling and story-creating workshops and they can be great reminders of the story's narrative and an effective way to engage with an audience. I remember Iain Waugh and Rhyddian Knight telling this as a two-hander in the pub - everyone had a fantastic time, especially them! The coat I'm wearing comes from another story that I helped my nephew create when he was just a wee laddie. It was called Alastair and the Wolf. He's a writer himself now. I claim all the credit. |
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The Slapin Kelpie
This tale is my version of a very old Scottish story. It's a reminder that Kelpies, far from being beautiful wild horses, are in fact terrifying magical predators, completely lacking in mercy. Loch Slapin is on the West coast of the Isle of Skye. It sits in the shadow of Blà Bheinn (Blaven), a great mound of rock that stands separate from the main Cuillin ridge. There's an old abandoned church there, roofless but walled to keep the sheep off the graves. It's called Cill Chriosd and when you walk there you feel like you can hear the sounds of voices from long ago. |
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The White Stag of Glen Etive
This story was inspired by the tales of a White Stag in the Glen - first mentioned to me by Kate Dix on a story-telling workshop at the marvelous Cae Mabon in North Wales.
White Stags have often been used as portents or as inspiration for a variety of different peoples - the Hungarians used it and so did the English monarchy. The archaic term was White Hart and the theme crops up time and again.
Many English Inns use the image and name. In Edinburgh, there's a White Hart Inn on the Grassmarket. Frequented by Robert Burns and William Wordsworth, it was convenient spot if you fancied a pint after a good hanging (the Last Drop often being four-deep at the bar). However, if Messrs Burke & Hare offer a nightcap at their lodging house, you'd be best to politely refuse.
This story was inspired by the tales of a White Stag in the Glen - first mentioned to me by Kate Dix on a story-telling workshop at the marvelous Cae Mabon in North Wales.
White Stags have often been used as portents or as inspiration for a variety of different peoples - the Hungarians used it and so did the English monarchy. The archaic term was White Hart and the theme crops up time and again.
Many English Inns use the image and name. In Edinburgh, there's a White Hart Inn on the Grassmarket. Frequented by Robert Burns and William Wordsworth, it was convenient spot if you fancied a pint after a good hanging (the Last Drop often being four-deep at the bar). However, if Messrs Burke & Hare offer a nightcap at their lodging house, you'd be best to politely refuse.
“No, no! The adventures first, explanations take such a dreadful time.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
The Fairy Herd of Balnacnoc
This place is truly uncanny. I have walked here many times now but I shall never forget my first experience. An unearthly quiet settled upon us as we walked into the Glen. Where once there'd been sheep and birds; only silence. The land shapes are so like a mountain range in miniature - it was thrilling and unsettling at the same time. When I arrived at the heart of the Glen itself, it seemed only natural that I should be accosted by a friend from 300 miles away, tour-driving a collection of Korean tourists round the Highlands and blarneying them fit to bust, all the way.
This place is truly uncanny. I have walked here many times now but I shall never forget my first experience. An unearthly quiet settled upon us as we walked into the Glen. Where once there'd been sheep and birds; only silence. The land shapes are so like a mountain range in miniature - it was thrilling and unsettling at the same time. When I arrived at the heart of the Glen itself, it seemed only natural that I should be accosted by a friend from 300 miles away, tour-driving a collection of Korean tourists round the Highlands and blarneying them fit to bust, all the way.