Folktales have inspired artists of all kinds for centuries, and continue to do so – in the past year alone, films based on the stories of Krampus and Snow White have reached the cinema, and weekly Twitter event #FolkloreThursday has become something of a phenomenon. This year’s TradFest features a number of storytelling events inspired … Continued

Written by broadcaster Fiona Ritchie and Doug Orr (with a foreword by Dolly Parton, no less) Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia tracks the musical journey of traditional Scots and Irish songs, transported across the sea by generations of emigrants to America, where they blended with the sounds of their … Continued

Singer, actress and MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards nominee Gerda Stevenson treats us to a a unique evening of poetry and song as part of this year’s TradFest, accompanied by musicians Seylan Baxter, Rob Macneacail and Kyrre Slind. Here she talks about her influences and recent album, Night Touches Day, songs from which she’ll … Continued

For me, step dancing is essentially about connections: between dancers and musicians, places and communities, generations of friends and family, and of course, the connection of the steps themselves, strung like beads along the rhythmic thread of music. I love step dance because it allows me to express the joy I feel when I hear … Continued

Gaelic singer Alasdair Whyte and electronic musician Ross Whyte join forces for a selection of new arrangements of traditional Gaelic songs and original compositions, accompanied by projected images. Performing at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Thu 5 May, their combination of ambient soundscape, abstract visuals and traditional vocals promises a unique aural and visual experience. … Continued

The TradFest programme is full of fantastic events to tickle your traditional tastes. For those unsure where to start, here’s a few picks from some of the TRACS team on events that are at the top of their to-do lists. Daniel Abercrombie – Programme and Events Manager, Scottish Storytelling Centre I’m excited for the opening … Continued

Scotland has a vibrant group of new storytellers, honing their skills and developing their craft with the help of the Centre’s Storytelling Apprenticeship, led by Janis Mackay. On Friday 22 April, the group will perform their favourite tales at Stories on the Way, a showcase of the skills and stories they’ve developed over the course … Continued

TradFest 2016 is an Edinburgh-wide celebration of culture, with events taking place all over the city. Amongst the highlights of this year’s programme includes Treasure Troves of Scottish Tradition, a series of five events taking place at the National Library of Scotland from Monday 2 – Friday 6 May. Combining storytelling, music and talks, these … Continued

Now entering its second year, Edinburgh’s Folk Film Gathering – the world’s first festival of folk cinema – is a celebration of the myriad ways in which world cinema has engaged with folk culture at different points in space and time. Part of TradFest Edinburgh, the festival’s 2016 edition brings together a series of rare, … Continued

Two singer-songwriters from opposite ends of the Atlantic come together for a double bill at this year’s TradFest. A troubadour, balladeer and storyteller cut in the old style, Scottish singer Ewan McLennan received critical acclaim for his first album Rags to Riches, which won him the prestigious Horizon Award at the BBC Folk Awards. Sky … Continued