Scottish Storytelling Centre and Network

Blethers Issue 18 Spring 2009

CONNECTING WITH STORIES New Training Programme

The 2009-10 Training and This strand's first event, Storytelling Schools: Whole Development Programme School Approaches looks at the benefits of a is now available on the 'storytelling school'. Storytelling Centre The Communities, Faiths and Cultures strand website and in hard copy. provides opportunities for people working across a Continuing last years' five- range of community settings to explore the scope for strand format, this year's cultural exchange through storytelling. And here lies an programme is split into exciting addition to the programme – a five-week Traditions and Skills; Ùlpan Gaelic course for beginners. Whole Person Learning; Communities, Faiths and Health and Wellbeing has its own strand this year Bob Pegg leads the way in Cultures; and Health and and features a Life Stories workshop, along with a day professional development. Wellbeing, with the final conference on Storytelling and Mental Health, following (photograph: Leo Bruges) section dedicated to the on from last year's network development day on this Newbattle Abbey College topic. partnership. The Centre is continuing its fruitful relationship with Traditions and Skills offers a range of skill Newbattle Abbey College to again provide a development options, from beginners to experienced professional development qualification in tellers. New this year are full day intermediate level Contemporary Oral Storytelling: Theory and Practice, workshops, exploring how to craft, voice and animate offering a unit in Practical Skills, followed by the the story. Also new for 2009 is a Professional opportunity to gain an additional unit for a project Development for Storytellers strand, featuring five investigating storytelling in a chosen professional workshops aimed specifically at professional context. New for August 2009 is the first Newbattle storytellers and ranging from a workshop on 'Selling Storytelling Festival, this year celebrating the 250th Yourself: Publicity and Promotion' to masterclasses on anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. ‘Hosting Events’ and the ‘Language of the Body’. Facilitators include Marion Kenny, Michael Kerins, Janis With such a full and extensive programme, there's Mackay, Bob Pegg and Tony Bonning. something for everyone. Book early to avoid disappointment! Whole Person Learning continues to deliver a choice of CPD events for teachers working across the For more information on the Connecting with Stories curriculum, this year encompassing a special programme or other training options provided by the Storytelling Festival inservice day on Emotional Literacy Scottish Storytelling Centre, please contact Caroline and events in 2010 on sensory and digital forms of Budge on [email protected] or storytelling. 0131 652 3272. Y T E R L L O I T N S G

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Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR T: 0131 556 9579 E: [email protected] www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk Blethers

STORY FEST HITS THE MARK Northlands and Sagalands z holding Homecoming suppers and/or ceilidhs with appropriate The 2008 Scottish International music, stories and poems; Storytelling Festival has been z considering outdoor fairs, hailed as a major success. Overall gatherings, services, seasonal audiences increased by over 40% walks, communal picnics, etc; to 17,600 but it was the quality of the themed events that caught the z contributing a Homecoming imagination of a wider public. event of the kind mentioned above to an already existing On the last day of the Festival Festival; storytellers from met with guest artists and other international z identifying key 'storytellers' and delegates to hammer out a Year of Homecoming communicators who can help European future for the storytelling people celebrate their own Inspired by the 250th anniversary meeting. Egged on by the Festival's culture/heritage and share it of Robert Burns' birth, own irrepressible Director, Donald with others; Homecoming is turning into a smith, delegates were shaken and general celebration of Scotland's z involving schools, faith stirred by a day of intense heritage and culture, its global communities and other discussion and brief building. connections, and its traditions of organisations in projects or The day finished with a story hospitality. events, sharing stories, songs, memories and hopes for the sharing, led by Stanley Robertson, So, on all counts, storytelling is future; and was rounded off perfectly by a essential for local projects, events Northlands concert at Festival and tours through the year. z considering the place of Scots partner venue, The Lot in and Gaelic in our cultural Edinburgh's Grassmarket. Homecoming will also be the inspiration for Tell-A-Story-Day heritage and diversity. Visiting storytellers came from on Friday 30th October 2009. Please let the Storytelling Centre Ireland, Iceland, Denmark, Canada, Here are some of the ideas that outreach team know about your Alaska, Finland, France, Germany, people have run with so far: ideas and projects, so that we can USA, Norway, Sweden and promote and publicise them. England. Greenland had to call off z researching the stories and international connections of our at the last minute. It was all made Note Learning & Teaching Scotland community to feed into other will be providing online Homecoming possible by the Scottish projects and communications; Government's Festival Expo Fund resources from a national perspective. which has recognised the z establishing the main threads importance of Scotland's for presentation in leaflets, live storytellers as cultural ambassadors events and on websites; for our big wee nation. z holding a 'Past and Present' open day or days The theme for the 2009 Scottish International Storytelling Festival is z establishing trails, routes and Homelands and the dates are storytelling walks through Friday 23rd October to Saturday leaflets and live events; 1st November. Put these dates in z holding a local Homecoming your planner now. Festival or Gathering;

Inside Stories Digi-Storytelling in Education

Scotland is a leading centre an international team to set out the ideas. This is that rare thing – worldwide for thinking about issues and the possibilities. academics wanting to be storytelling and IT in education. Inside Stories: a Narrative Journey understood and to help out. That, The researchers here have tapped features a bunch of teachers, of course, has been the Storytelling into the skills of live storytellers researchers and kids on a train trip Centre and Network's experience and the cultural appeal of across Europe on an educational of Judy. Congratulations to Judy storytelling across society. jolly. and the team. Inside Stories A lot of the research is a bit arcane En route nearly every aspect of can be downloaded and technical, but now our own storytelling and IT is explored, with or ordered online at www.lulu.com Judy Robertson – Judy Seymour in opportunities, issues and practical (ISBN: 1409205104) married disguise – has worked with

2 www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk Issue 18 Spring 2009

CHANTICA Patsy Forges Scotland-Slovakia links

Last year in Blethers I wrote about visiting Slovakia along with Auchindrain Museum, Argyll. The plan was to meet and hear Slovakian storytellers and take the tales back to Auchindrain. This didn't happen and instead made me come away sad but determined. From 21st to 25th July 2008, 'CHANTICA', a wonderful project took place at Auchindrain. 'CHANTICA' stands for 'Culture, Heritage and Nature Together in Patsy at beautiful Auchindrain Contemporary Art' and included organisations Grampus Heritage & Training Limited (North West The fourth workshop was a 'tie up' CREATING CREATIVE England) and ARCH (Scotland), of the previous three days. Stories SCOTLAND composed by the participants were working in partnership with Observers of the cultural scene will Auchindrain Museum, Vitra performed, along with a very funny story employed by Marion the know that this year the Scottish Sustainable Development Government will make a second (Slovenia), STROPEK (Slovakia) and previous day. Everyone provided an excellent performance before a attempt to merge the Scottish Arts e-ISTOS (Greece). The event Council and Scottish Screen into a involved disadvantaged young large crowd, even though many had said they could never do such new national cultural agency, people from Slovakia, Slovenia, Creative Scotland. Greece, Scotland and North a thing at the start of the week. There has been a lot of press England, and the group’s visit to No one bowed out, even the shyest coverage of this change, some of it Scotland was hosted by Joanne participant agreed she had quite alarmist. The Scottish Howdle, Curator at Auchindrain amassed confidence that week. Storytelling Forum has been Museum. The day was hot and sunny and actively campaigning and lobbying the large crowd that had gathered The aim for the participants was to to achieve three things: investigate an element of the local at Auchindrain were very cultural landscape, including appreciative. 1 music, dance, myths and legends, After the performance, one Increased support for individual artists, traditional skills and crafts. There Slovakian student, Ivan, agreed including storytellers were many events available to the storytelling was considered participants including basket and 2 worthless in his country, even felt making, Gaelic waulking and dangerous, with the dark, Continued support for the Scottish wood turning, as well as mysterious forms of life and death Storytelling Centre and Network storytelling. I ran four full-day often portrayed. But he now 3 workshops, two of which were wanted to go home and start a further enhanced by the wonderful Increased funding for local storytelling music and storytelling of my sister, storytelling group in his home town. and arts development. Marion Kenny. Participants also A month or so after the event I had Our sense is that 1. and 2. are had the opportunity to share tales an email from Ivan. He had achievable but that 3. increasingly from their own countries and translated a 200-year-old Slovakian depends on local authority and discuss the similarities. tale for me. He said he was lottery funding, both of which are The workshops involved the working on another and that his being squeezed. research I had undertaken earlier in visit to Scotland had awakened his desire to find his native tales. Like all cultural activists, the the year on Auchindrain, thanks to storytelling movement will have to a bursary from the Scottish Arts I told the story he sent me as part be very resourceful and imaginative Council, and included the subjects: of my evening of tales for the in bringing the right people, money 'Travellers and Drovers of Argyll', Scottish International Storytelling and projects together over the next 'Myths and Crafts of Argyll', Festival, held at Auchindrain on few years. 'Agriculture and Medicine of October 31st. It was indeed very As the recession bites, we have a Auchindrain' and 'Scottish scary and dark but was received great opportunity to reconnect Customs and Celebrations', the with much applause. I await the people with core personal, social latter of which was handed to second tale with anticipation. Marion with her musical expertise and creative values through the and humorous Scottish tales. Patsy Dyer power of storytelling.

www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk 3 Blethers

Angela Visits Pearl of Persia

Five years ago, I was transcribing into a computer the handwritten travel accounts of a friend's visit to Iran. As I read about the palaces, mosques, gardens and bridges of Isfahan I thought, 'What a beautiful place,' but knew I would never see it. And yet, just before Christmas 2008, that is exactly where I found myself. This was the 12th International Storytelling Festival in Iran, organised by the Kanoon Institute for the Intellectual Development of Angela performs with translator Masah Children and Young Adults, which runs many arts programmes began to understand the scope of teaching and generally being across the country, including Kanoon's work across Iran; each immersed in 'religious stories', I felt training storytellers who work with non-Farsi speaking guest had his I could have contributed a great children. Each year there are or her own interpreter available all deal more to this theme. And yet I regional competitions, the winners day long from that time until the am also felt very honoured to have from which are invited to the end of the festival. been invited and had this Storytelling Festival which takes experience. I understand more place in a different city each year. The festival began at 8.30 the next morning with a long opening about life for Iranians in their This year the theme was 'Religious ceremony in the main theatre, with country and really appreciate the Stories'. There were forty-five a recitation from the Koran, the freedom that I have as a woman to Iranian tellers and guests from National Anthem, poems by Hafez, work and express myself freely, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and the story of Moses and the and I became curious about the Holland, Norway, Zimbabwe and burning bush told by an excellent long history of Persia, its culture myself, representing Scotland. teller from Northern Iran. The and stories. It was, all in all, a On the first morning I met my audience was a mixture of primary fantastic experience. translator, a lovely young woman school children, Kanoon and local On my last night I was presented called Masah, and we set to work dignitaries and the sixty or so with literally armfuls of presents on how we would tell my one 10- storytellers. including a copy of the Koran, an minute (!!) story together. In the Then just before I was to tell, nearly extraordinary award like an Oscar afternoon I visited the largest and all the children left! Nevertheless I and a GOLD MEDAL!!!! I had a oldest bazaar in Iran, parts of enjoyed telling and the audience chance, on the way to the airport which are 1,300 years old, and the were receptive, and from the to go home, to stand for a few Jameh Mosque. feedback I received Iranian tellers minutes on one of the lovely I have a memory from that day that saw something helpful and heard a ancient bridges. It was built I will remember all my life. It was story they can tell themselves. I between the Christian and Muslim sunset and cold. Two women from appreciated watching other quarters many centuries ago and Norway and I were sitting on a storytellers but wished very much the two groups would meet on the terrace outside a teashop above that I could speak Farsi. bridge to trade. Now it is a place the great square in the centre of where people stroll and look down the city, with the two blue-tiled It was interesting though to watch through its thirty-three arches to mosques, the palace, and behind other storytellers and experience the river below. Through one of the them the setting sun and the myself the various ways to work arches shone a huge star – it mountains turning pink. The with translation. This is a very looked like a living, magical teashops were where men once interesting area that could be Christmas card. I left that bridge, listened to fabulous Persian stories developed further in Scotland and climbed into a car and left for and now here we were, drinking elsewhere. It can be very creative home and for Christmas with a tea and telling Persian folktales to work with a translator - there are Persian carpet and several kilos of together. after all two bodies and two voices. 'gaz' pistachio nougat, to drive In the evening there was a My other small regret was that, everyone crazy with stories of it all. welcome meeting and dinner for considering how much of the past the international guests at which I twenty years I have spent telling, Angela Knowles

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Millie Shares Debut Author Success Millie Gray, storyteller and author (photograph: Reuben Paris) For any storyteller who feels The result is that in inspired by the initial success of the Campbell family my first novel could I encourage many readers easily them to start writing. Indeed it identify with the snapshots created – was the numerous requests from they see this is who audiences for a written copy of they were and that my stories that spurred me to similar things write them up. The result of this is happened to them. my initial very successful novel In Public enthusiasm a Class of Their Own. for the novel has Yes, at the start you will find it resulted in the small difficult to accept the discipline to independent change from 'oral' to 'written' and, publisher, who like myself, you may decide you assisted me to get recognition for Finally, it doesn't matter which need time and space to familiarise my written work, to accept the route you decide to follow – be it yourself with the difference – after offer of the larger -based oral storytelling, listening to stories, all you cannot rely on your body publisher, Black and White, to take reading stories, writing stories – language, facial expression and the over the responsibility for my what is important is that you are very important hand gestures to current novel and proposed engaging in the magic of story and put over your meaning – all has to sequel. With regard to this interacting with others who also be conveyed by the written word. proposed sequel I will again take enjoy and benefit from the time out to concentrate on it. therapeutic influence of story. To assist me in giving my stories a However, once I have completed Millie Gray solid structure I decided to write in the novel I hope to return to giving both English and colloquial Scots back more time to live storytelling In a Class of their Own and place all the stories in a where I get instant satisfaction in (ISBN: 1845022564) is available to buy fictional family but in an identifiable connecting with and entertaining a from Black and White Publishing online community. live audience. at www.blackandwhitepublishing.com or on 0131 625 4500.

Why a Storytelling Nurse Cares for

Her father called her 'Heather the That's no surprise as Heather's homes there with their families. Blether' and it remains a term of family has firm roots in the area "Though we are going through so affection in Craigmillar, where she and she has been an active many changes, the community has lived all her life. Heather community worker for more than spirit still exists," she says. Henderson is the nurse and thirty years. Through it she became Her community work dates back storyteller who combines her love involved in research projects which much further than her storytelling, of stories with total dedication as are placing on record the for she is a member of a gifted junior charge nurse of a large chequered, lively past of an area of family who were involved in music trauma unit at an Edinburgh Edinburgh that has its own castle, and drama. She met her husband, hospital. played an important role in the Kevin through the drama group in history of Scotland and made a Eleven years ago storyteller Claire the area and her sister, Faye vast contribution to the industrial Milligan, was a professional actor McNicol invited her to be a development of the Lothians. "You volunteer at a children's project and director who devoted thirty must know your own history," she years to the arts in Craigmillar. where she talked about her job as says. "How can you plan the future a nurse. Part of her intention was without that?" Sadly, Faye died while on holiday in to make things easier for a pupil Spain in 2003, a shock to the who was having to go into hospital. She has lived through changes in family and to the whole community. an area that has seen one housing But Heather decided she should The whole thing developed until scheme replaced by another, and she eventually became a regular in not be forgotten and set up an even now considerable initiative which has delighted and schools, not only in Craigmillar but development going on and the much further afield as a encouraged the schools in the area residents scattered widely. But like since. professional teller of tales. "But many other people in Craigmillar wherever I go," she says, "I must she remains a champion of it and continued on page 7 admit that I enjoy telling stories is glad to see people now moving best in Craigmillar." back into the district and buying

www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk 5 Blethers

Meeting with Stories An Australian Journey

On November 4th 2008, I set off, wrapped up against the near zero temperature, guiding a huge brand new case with four swivel wheels. During the two night flights I rehearsed my itinerary: in Adelaide I would be picked up by Colin, my eldest son; at the weekend we would celebrate Hannah and Ryan's birthdays; there would be the visit to the University of Ballarat; then a visit to my nephew in Melbourne, all at a temperature undreamed of in Scotland. I arrived well-slept at 9am in Adelaide, where I was met by Colin, Hannah and Ryan. After the birthday celebrations on November 11th, I joined the Remembrance Day Commemoration and Grandparents Day at Reynella East Primary School. Many of the 1,200 Senga wows young audiences guests were wearing service medals and it seemed that many ex-servicemen had decided to Did all the Chinese miners get back leafy sea dragon. To tell the truth, I make a new life with their family in home? There is no evidence in didn't see them in the flesh, South Australia. A Cameronian Ballarat of their presence or of the however the pictures I saw only who had been in the D-Day uprisings of the miners who encouraged me to create some landings told me some stories objected to paying government Pourquoi stories. which were delivered in a way that taxes and faced the military might could rival Chick Murray. The Singapore Storytelling of the British Empire. At the Circle has been meeting regularly Looking round, it became obvious bookshop, a Catalan woman since 1999 and you may have met that people had come here to seek shared her experience of being Sheila Wee and Rosemarie their fortune from all over Europe brought up in Franco's Spain and Somaiah who are founder and Asia – just the place for a Life feeling that her culture had been members when they visited Stories group. taken away, however she did share Scotland. The Circle is an informal a Catalan children's rhyme. I was invited to tell stories in school gathering of professional and, as in Scotland, the children The Smoking Ceremony took place storytellers, storytellers and people loved stories and were not put off in the countryside, near a lake who like listening to stories. The by a strange accent. There did not where a fire was made of green members are diverse – Chinese, seem to be any storytellers working branches by Ted Lovett, one of the Indian, Malay, Israeli and English – in schools although there were so 'Lost Generation' who were taken and it was there that I heard the many stories and rhymes that the away from their families in the most moving story. An Indian children were sharing. 1940's. His story was of how he storyteller, Arundati, first explained managed to get back to his own the effect the Mumbai Massacres Due to hours spent looking at people and how by protest and had on her, and how she atlases, many places carry a lobbying, the Australian Prime questioned how this could have fascination for me: Samarkand, Minister issued a formal apology to happened by going back to her Alma Ata, Lombok, Nizhniy Ted's people. After the Smoking Hindu belief and a story of a very Novgorod, Mohacs, Madagascar, Ceremony we had a shared meal young boy who felt called to the Ballarat and Bendigo. Ballarat lived and stories with the owners of the religious life and went through India up to the magical expectations. The centre is still Victorian but not property who were Baha'is and seeking spiritual teachers. The like Edinburgh and Glasgow – it had escaped from persecution in story embodied trust, caring, resembled the towns in the Iran. hospitality to the stranger and American Deep South. A visit to The animals in Australia are the respect for the searcher. The telling Sovereign Hill, a reconstruction of stuff stories are made of and I was magnificent. This was the best the Goldrush settlement, was full of discovered two that were calling to present of my journey. stories and questions. be storified: the frilled lizard and the Senga Munro

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An Equity Ambassador Speaks Why a Storytelling Nurse Cares for Craigmillar If you are a professional storyteller, Safety, Annual Report, and many continued from page 5 have you ever asked yourself just others. Members can also apply The Faye Milligan Arts Award is how you might go about gaining for an Equity credit card and the presented annually to a school pupil support, advice, guidance and 'Dance Passport'. The automatic who is named as the most promising protection concerning contracts? public liability insurance that comes in the arts. The name is inscribed on a with full membership covers up to Equity is the only trade union that handsome trophy which remains on £10,000,000! Loss or damage to display in the school for a whole year. represents artists from across the personal effects is also covered The child receives a certificate and the entire spectrum of arts and backstage, along with accident or school a gift of £200 to be spent entertainment, and this includes injury at work, including death by exclusively on some artistic purpose. It storytellers. accident, even to and from work. goes without saying that the £200 is raised every year by Heather herself On 16th and 17th November, But Equity is more than just a and supporters. Raffles, concerts and twelve Scottish based artists union, having also endless (including myself) of many art talent shows assist in this and an networking possibilities for the exhibition of Faye's work over thirty disciplines, attended an 'Equity member, by way of joining a local Ambassador' course in Edinburgh. years recognised her contribution to branch and meeting artists of other the residents and raised more funds. Facillitated by the TUC, the course disciplines. The Equity card also helped the aspiring Equity entitles members to a range of "One of Faye's favourite things was Ambassador to learn how to work discounts and concessions, teaching school children a special with members and Equity deputies, including lower cost gas and song, 'Craigmillar Now', which had been written for us in the Seventies by to ensure that members' interests electricity supplies. Equity's Job the Rev Douglas Galbraith, a Church of are represented by offering Information Service is available to Scotland minister and musician. information, support, and to paid up members and now has a promote the union to non- new service that will make it "We got to know it as the 'Craigmillar members, especially concerning its possible for members to upload national anthem' and for the exhibition services and benefits. their interview online for film I taught it to thirty present day pupils in directors casting for new films. various schools who sang it for the Trainee Ambassadors learned how Equity also has a Student visitors. It was amazing that many of to develop skills and knowledge Membership Scheme open to any their parents – and even some about their role; more about the student on a full-time course. grandparents – who were present, union's policies; how to build remembered being taught the song by contacts within the union and with Douglas so many years ago." outside organisations; and how to Paraig MacNeil, Equity Ambassador Heather’s enthusiasm for history has support members, representing led to her working with popular local their interests so that all people are personality, Helen Crummy, whose treated fairly in all aspects of work, contribution to the arts festivals in with open and just procedures for Craigmillar is legendary. Helen's book, dealing complaints, grievances, Whom Dykes Divide, which is a history and recruitment. of the mining industry, and her The Equity Ambassador is not a collection of archival material has professionally paid trade union created widespread interest. Thankfully official as such, but is a person it is to be preserved for the benefit of who has a genuine concern for the all when the new Craigmillar Library is professional – or the aspiring completed. On the top floor, Heather professional – artist's wellbeing. says, the material will be available for the public, researchers and school Having been a full member for over children to study. twelve years, I have enjoyed For Helen and Heather such a For a minimum of £100 per benefits including free legal advice development recognises what they concerning TV and film contracts, annum, (an allowable expense), all have always known is a priority – the royalties and repeat fees, free ye professional or part-time preservation and the passing on of commercial collection and recovery professional storytellers should one's own history. Already Heather has services, and public liability consider taking up membership. put together some stories based on insurance. Membership forms can be sent Helen's book on the miners and the hard copy or can be found online. Benefits of membership also Wauchopes of Craigmillar, Niddrie and include advice on welfare support, Find out more at Newcraighall which she tells to school help with non-work related matters, www.equity.org.uk or contact me children. She has also written a medical support, rights and on [email protected] 'carnival of the animals' sequence for copyrights, not to mention an Edinburgh Council project which I'm proud to be a member of features a lion and an elephant. But registers, directories, publications, Equity! such as Equity Magazine, Review that's another story... of the Year, Guide to Health and Paraig MacNeil Ann Davies

www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk 7 Blethers Issue 18 Spring 2009

BOOK BLETHERS

Storytellers continue to take to Chuckies Fir the Cairn Out of the Mists print like ducks to water. John John Barrington (Luath) Whit a virr an stir we hae noo Barrington's Out of the Mists is a ISBN: 1905222339 aboot the Scots leid – an nae afore cracking set of his tales from the £7.99 time. Scots fair gurgles an spurgles southern Highlands and the an sings in the mooths o bairns an Lowlands. It is a one-man ceilidh auld yins alike. and a pleasure to ear and eye. Reek Roon the Camp Fire Ah hae muckle pleisur therefore in Stanley Robertson (Birlinn) hingin oot thae thrie buiks fur yer ISBN: 1841587950 mindin – Tapsalteerie and Ither £9.99 Tales, Fit Like, Yer Majesty?, and Chuckies Fir the Cairn. Out of the Mouth of the Morning The first wan o thae thrie is the David Campbell (Luath) wark o oor ain Meg Tollick. Her ISBN: 1906307938 rhymes an tales gang thegither an £8.99 gie aabody delicht. As fur the Doric Fit Like, Yer Majesty?, Sheena Blackhall his a muckle haun in the God, the Poet and the Devil: play an its aa oot o the Readin Bus Robert Burns and Religion in Aberdeen, whaur Grace Banks is Donald Smith (St Andrew Press) aften tae the fore. ISBN: 0715208762 £9.99 The Chuckies hae been gaitherit by Rab Wilson, wha is Ayrshire's makar nouveau. Keep a gleg ee fur Between Ourselves his owersettin o 'Holy Wullie's As we go to press, both Stanley Donald Smith (Luath) Prayer' as 'Holy Gordon's (Broon) Robertson and David Campbell are ISBN: 1906307929 Prayer'. Hoosoever, it's ower nippy about to blossom with major books. £8.99 tae be in this buik. Stanley's Reek Roon the Camp Fire is a collection of 'muckle tales' Aa in aa thrie bonnie glintin and sure to delight fans and bawbees. The tale-tellours, makars Chuckies Fir the Cairn newcomers alike. an abune aa the bairns ur mintin Rab Wilson (ed) (Luath) the leid anew. It gies aabody a bit ISBN: 1906817057 David seems a hard man to coax cheer in doolie days. £8.99 into print, but Linda Williamson has provided editorial backbone. His Donald Smith Out of the Mouth of the Morning Fit Like, Yer Majesty?: a book of from Luath is a rich and eloquent Doric poems expression of the art and spirit. The Reading Bus (Aberdeen University Meanwhile your columnist has been Elphinstone Kist) 'burning the midnight oil' with two ISBN: 0955890420 £6.99 books on the national bard. God the Poet and the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion is a Tapsalteerie and Ither Tales reinterpretation of the poet's live Margaret Tollick (Windfall Books) and work in the light of his deepest ISBN: 0955726422 values. £8.99 Between Ourselves is a scandalous treatment of Burns' time in Edinburgh. Is it a revelation or a besmirching? I could not possibly Scottish Storytelling Centre comment. More storytelling titles 43-45 High Street are on their way and will be Edinburgh EH1 1SR covered, as they appear, on the T: 0131 556 9579 Storytelling Centre website E: [email protected] www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

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