Welcome to the world’s largest celebration of storytelling, rooted in Scotland, a nation with a rich tradition of oral storytelling. The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) provides a platform for all levels of storytellers, offering workshops led by professional narrators and opportunities for skills development.
Bridges Between: Celebrating 35 Years of Storytelling
This year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival will cast its glow under the theme “Lights of the North”, welcoming an eclectic gathering of voices from across Northern Europe for 11 days of tales, myth, and performance.
Thanks to ongoing support from Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding programme and the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund, storytellers from Scotland will be joined by their counterparts from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Iceland in a celebration that stretches from ancient sagas to contemporary reimaginings.
Among the international line-up is Iceland’s Hjörleifur Stefánsson, bringing classic folk tales steeped in Nordic tradition; Swedish actor and award-winning storyteller Jerker Fahlström; and Norwegian performers Georgiana Keable Jerstad, a nature writer known for weaving the wild into her work, and folktale specialist Heidi Dahlsveen. Finland’s Anna-Maria Toivonen, whose performances blend storytelling with folk song, also joins the programme, as does Germany’s Suse Weisse, whose haunting repertoire draws on dark European myths and the works of writers such as Italo Calvino and the Brothers Grimm.
Returning to the festival from Scotland’s own storytelling community are cherished voices including Ruth Kirkpatrick, Mara Menzies, Marjolein Robertson, Daniel Serridge, and Niall Moorjani—each bringing their own distinct tone to a festival that celebrates the power of shared narratives in uncertain times.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme
Download the full festival programme here.
Storytelling Workshops 2025
The festival’s participatory workshops offer a unique opportunity to refine storytelling skills while engaging with other enthusiasts. This thoughtfully curated programme allows attendees to learn directly from seasoned and highly-skilled storytellers, gaining both guidance and inspiration to enhance their craft and discover their unique storytelling voice.
Event Details
- When: 22 October to 1 November 2025
- Where: Based in Edinburgh, with events taking place across Scotland.
- Book tickets: click here to book tickets to individual events.
- Festival Pass: Alternatively get a festival pass for only £24.
The festival is not only one of the most respected storytelling festivals globally but also the largest in terms of both its diverse programme and its extensive audience engagement. The festival showcases a variety of cultures, traditions, and storytelling styles, embodying a true global celebration of the art of narrative within the historic setting of Edinburgh, the world’s Festival City.
Main image: Professional storyteller Daniel Allison. Photography for Scottish International Storytelling Festival / Tracs Scotland from: Colin Hattersley Photography – www.colinhattersley.com – cphattersley@gmail.com