Scottish Storytelling Centre

Scottish Storytelling Centre
Name	Scottish Storytelling Centre
Address	High Street, Edinburgh
City	Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Owner	Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (site), tenant Scottish Storytelling Forum (historical)
Opened	2006
Architect	Malcolm Fraser

Scottish Storytelling Centre The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a cultural venue and performance space in the Old Town of Edinburgh dedicated to oral tradition, folk narrative and contemporary storytelling. Located on the Royal Mile adjacent to The Royal Mile landmarks, it operates as a hub for touring artists, local practitioners and international festivals, linking practitioners from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Canada and United States. The Centre hosts residencies, workshops and archives that intersect with institutions such as National Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland and British Council partnerships.

History

The Centre emerged from collaborations among the Scottish Arts Council (now Creative Scotland), City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Storytelling Forum and independent producers associated with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Its establishment in the early 2000s followed campaigns involving heritage organisations like the National Trust for Scotland and civic bodies including the Old Town Community Council and the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. Opening in 2006, the venue joined a network of institutions such as Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Aberdeen Arts Centre and GalGael that foreground narrative practice, while interacting with prominent storytellers linked to projects by Seamus Heaney, Migrant Tales initiatives and collaborations with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Building and architecture

The building occupies a site on the High Street next to historical fabric associated with St Giles' Cathedral, the Canongate, and archaeological remains of the Mound (Edinburgh). Designed by Malcolm Fraser in a contemporary mode that respects the Old Town skyline, the scheme incorporated adaptive reuse principles similar to projects at Scottish National Gallery and contemporary interventions seen at V&A Dundee. Materials and detailing reference local precedents such as rubble masonry and timberwork found in Dean Village and restoration practices used at Holyrood Palace. The theatre spaces and galleries were planned with sightlines and acoustics informed by models used in Traverse Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre and Usher Hall.

Programs and events

Programming covers weekly live sessions, family events, and festival collaborations with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival and international showcases hosted by British Council cultural exchange schemes. Regular series have featured narrators connected to the Oral History Society, folklorists linked to the Folklore Society, and guest artists who have worked with institutions like Glasgow Arts Centre, Battersea Arts Centre, Cork Midsummer Festival and Biennale of Sydney. The Centre stages commissions, residencies and co-productions with producers from National Theatre of Scotland, playwrights associated with Alan Cumming and directors who have worked at Royal Court Theatre. It also hosts award ceremonies and competitions connected to accolades such as the Saltire Society Literary Awards and projects supported by Heritage Lottery Fund.

Collections and archives

The Centre curates an archive of audio recordings, transcriptions and digital files documenting oral narratives, fieldwork and contemporary performances. Collections include material collected by folklorists linked to the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, donated research from figures associated with the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland and items from projects involving the Museum of Edinburgh. Archival practice aligns with standards promoted by the National Records of Scotland and collaborative cataloguing initiatives with the National Library of Scotland, ensuring interoperability with databases used by Europeana and research networks including the International Council on Archives.

Outreach and education

Educational programming links to curricula and partnerships with the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, and local schools administered by Education Authority (City of Edinburgh) partners. Workshops address narrative craft for teachers, community groups, asylum seeker networks coordinated with Refugee Council services and intergenerational projects with care partners such as Age Scotland. Youth initiatives have ties to youth theatres like Young People's Theatre and training routes feeding into professional networks like Equity and artist development schemes from Creative Scotland.

Governance and funding

Governance has involved charitable trusts, local authority commissions from City of Edinburgh Council, and strategic funders such as Creative Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The business model combines earned income from ticketing, hires and box office with grants from bodies including Arts Council England (for UK touring elements), philanthropic support from foundations like the Prince’s Trust and partnerships with EU cultural programmes formerly under Creative Europe. The management structure has drawn on experience from boards and executives with backgrounds at institutions such as the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Scottish Arts Council and university research centres, ensuring compliance with charity regulation overseen by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Category:Arts centres in Edinburgh Category:Tourist attractions in Edinburgh