Image © Historic Environment Scotland

Stories, Stones and Bones: ‘Voyage of Discovery’ project at Trinity House celebrates £8,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017

The Scottish Storytelling Forum has received a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Stories, Stones and Bones grant of £8,000 to work with young storytellers on the Voyage of Discovery: Maritime Stories at Our Place, Trinity House project in Leith, Edinburgh.

Led by storyteller and historical interpreter Nicola Wright, in partnership with Illuminate UK and based at Historic Environment Scotland’s portfolio property at Trinity House, the project will engage young people with local maritime heritage to learn skills in storytelling, heritage interpretation and tour guiding, as part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

The Scottish Storytelling Forum (SSF) is a diverse network of storytellers, organisations and individuals supporting Scotland’s vibrant storytelling community through the fostering of storytelling skills among all age groups. Illuminate UK works in both education and business using drama, theatre and storytelling skills to support both adults and children to grow in confidence and to learn about heritage.

Click here to find out how to take part

“Storytelling makes the heritage of our past come alive in the present”

Commenting on the award, storyteller Nicola Wright said:

“It’s fantastic that that we have been awarded this grant and we can’t wait to get started. The maritime heritage of Leith is so rich and exciting and there is so much to be discovered right here on our doorstep, connecting us with the world. Storytelling is such a fantastic way to make heritage come alive – it’s also a very useful skill that I use everyday in my work as a living heritage interpreter.”

Lucy Casot, Head of Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Voyage of Discovery” is a fine example of HLF’s Stories, Stones and Bones programme that, thanks to National Lottery players, makes it possible for local people to choose what is important to them, what they want to save, and how they want to spread the word throughout their community.”

Stories, Stones and Bones

Stories, Stones and Bones is for any not-for-profit group wanting to engage more people with the heritage and take part in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Stories, Stones and Bones grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to groups who want to discover their local heritage. Projects can cover a wide spectrum of subject matter from exploring local archaeology and a community’s cultures and traditions to identifying and recording local wildlife and protecting the surrounding environment to managing and training volunteers, and holding festivals and events to commemorate the past.

Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  www.hlf.org.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017

From World Heritage Sites to ancient monuments, listed buildings to historic battlefields, cultural traditions to our myths, tales and legends, the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, running from 1 January to 31 December will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s fascinating past, some of our greatest figures, attractions and icons, as well as our hidden gems.

For further information, images and interviews, please contact Mairi McFadyen, National Storytelling Co-ordinator at the Scottish Storytelling Forum on 0131 558 8137 mairi@scottishstorytellingcentre.com