Kirsten Milliken is a bold and enchanting storyteller who tells tales that inspire, entertain, and challenge. Never afraid of dark and difficult themes, Kirsten aims to stir passion and provoke action. Her joy and enthusiasm for stories is infectious and has listeners immersed and intrigued from start to finish.

Kirsten specialises in stories from Northern Europe. She tells tales from Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia with a focus on the Scottish Islands, particularly her homeland of Shetland. With one foot firmly planted in the tradition, Kirsten creatively reinterprets these old tales for modern audiences.

Often focusing on themes of environmental and social justice, Kirsten creatively explores what our folklore and traditional tales tell us about the world we live in; about the careful balance of nature and how we should treat others. She also weaves knowledge from her background in Environmental Management, helping listeners learn and engage with nature in creative and imaginative ways.

As well as being a storyteller Kirsten is a textile artist and teacher of heritage crafts. She loves weaving the different strands of her work and can combine arts and crafts activities into her storytelling sessions, encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

Kirsten works in all sorts of settings from schools, museums and libraries to community events, private functions and festivals. She has delivered performances, workshops and story walks throughout Scotland and internationally.

Kirsten is very flexible and can adapt her performance style and content to fit the setting and audience. She is as much at home on the stage with big audiences as the fireside for intimate gatherings. Kirsten’s storytelling is suitable for everyone from school children to the elderly, and she is especially adept at storytelling for older children and adults.

Based in Edinburgh, Kirsten is happy to travel widely and is available for bookings across Scotland and further afield.

“Kirsten’s magical storytelling captivates audiences of all ages, seamlessly bringing stories to life and sparking excitement in young and old minds alike.” – Meghan, Community Engagement Officer at Whitmuir Farm