What's on in Edinburgh

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Oct 2010 (annual)

Cost: Free - £30; Festival Pass available

Hours: Throughout the day & evening

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival regales countless tales - traditional and contemporary - every autumn. Head to the Scottish Storytelling Centre in John Knox House on Edinburgh's Royal Mile to hear a wealth of anecdotes, narratives and yarns.

Building on the traditional ceilidh (pronounced "kay-lee") - Celtic for a communal gathering, where storytellers entertain with their tales, ballads and dances - the ten-day festival focuses on the power of the word.

In 2009, there is a special focus on both of Robert Burns' 250th birthday and Homecoming, the nation's celebration of its cultural diaspora, inviting those with Scottish connections across the world to share their stories and celebrate their connections.

Scottish Storytelling Centre