We enjoyed a fantastic storytelling evening by the peat fire. The storytelling room is detailed and creatively put together. The stories were beautiful, melodic and almost hypnotic. The storyteller was exceptional. You absolutely must go here to immerse yourself in culture and folklore.
An absolutely incredible night of story-telling! 🙂 Lynn is a fantastic host, performer and orator, truly bringing alive the old tales of Orkney. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the islands’ oral traditions and their preservation is a treasure, and the wealth of local insight and knowledge she brings into her evenings is just remarkable. Very much encourage anyone who has the opportunity to sit in on one of her peat fire tales evenings to do so!
Lovely evening. The setting in the art studio by the hearth is cosy, yet whimsical, and Lynn is a great storyteller, so dedicated to making the old stories survive. If you come to the orkneys don't skip this
I went to a peat fire storytelling evening, and it was INCREDIBLE! Lynn was wonderful, the environment was so cozy, and the stories were enchanting. A must do on your trip to Orkney, it really completes the experience of being in the islands.
Amazing storytelling by an excellent, incredibly knowledgeable and talented host. Location was spectacular with parking at the rear and the studio was decorated with the most interesting artefacts with lots of storytelling props and objects. Great evening
What an absolutely perfect evening we had. Lynn is a wonderful storyteller, she has a beautiful soft tone and voice. We loved the songs that she sung, but would have liked to hear more of them. Lynn is a local and is passing on oral folklore, its a special experience to be able to share. The peat fire was so cosy and added to the atmosphere. Don't dilly dally and treat yourself to this unique experience!! Thank you Lynn.
Lynn is such a passionate performer. She is keeping the tales of Orkney and Scotland alive and it is wonderful to see! A must visit for those spending time on Orkney.
An evening of storytelling about the Orkney folklore and oral traditions with Lynne by her peat fire - her collection of books and knowledge of these stories is not to be missed.
It's an easy place to find and is about 5 minutes from Brodgar. Remember to take a drink with you!
We were not sure what to expect when we turned up but can honestly say it was a very worthwhile booking. We spent a very enjoyable evening, firstly exploring rooms set out with numerous books and historic documents and then settled in front of an open fire and listened to Lynn narrating and performing tales from Orkney folklore, or could the folklore have been true? Thank you to Lynn for her presentation skills and obvious dedication and enthusiasm for the history of Orkney.
An interesting evening filled with oral tales and storytelling. It was a lot like theatre; a monologue. Good way to spend an evening; better than television.
Spent an interesting night here! Storytelling was good - might've gone on a bit long, could maybe introduce a short break in the middle to add structure? - and the museum space itself with its library and artworks is amazing. But the peat smoke and the heat almost sent us to sleep, and made our eyes water so that at the end we were quite keen to get out into the cold for some fresh air.
Amazing top notch storytelling evening. It was atmospheric at the fantastic venue and the storytelling transported me and my imagination back in time. The storyteller gave a unique and invaluable authentic insight to the local legends and folklore by a glorious open fire. Wonderful. Well worth turning out.
We attended an evening storytelling session with my daughter who has profound learning disabilities, is blind and a wheelchair user. The venue was quirky and atmospheric. There were so many things to look at before the session started, and Lynn was happy for my daughter to feel all the artifacts. She thoroughly enjoyed the evening, as did my daughter’s friend and I. Unfortunately we had to leave before the end because we were going to catch the ferry. I fell asleep that night with Lynn’s beautiful lilting voice, and memories of the stories she told, running through my head! Very much recommend to others.
We had a fantastic night in a fantastic setting, the Stories were amazing told around a peat fire by an amazing storyteller. Would strongly recommend. Danny and Siobhan.
Loved every minute of this storytelling evening. Haunting stories that will stay with me for a long time and that I saw echoing around everything else we saw while we were on Orkney. Really enhanced the special sense of place that the island has and my understanding of its people and way of life. Thoroughly recommend it to any visitor to the Orkney mainland
We had a magical evening. The Peatfire Tales are the real thing. I really doubt that you can get any closer to an authentic oral history performance in English than this. Lynn clearly knows what she is doing. I have read a lot of these stories, but hearing and seeing them performed as they have been for hundreds or even thousands of years is something else entirely, with the repetitions, the formulas, the sound play, the hand movements … it was all there.
If you have any interest in folklore, in stories, in spoken word, then give yourself the gift of going to one of these nights (and take your family or friends with you; my daughter of eleven really loved this as well).
An amazing storyteller telling legends and educating about the history of the island and bringing it all to life. She even had our six year old sitting still and listening as she told and acted out her stories. Thank you very much!
Engaging storyteller, library was very interesting with lots of old books & photos, ambience of rooms added to overall effect
Peatfire Tales of Orkney Evenings
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Tickets £11 per Adult £7.50 per child – Bespoke Private evenings for groups by arrangement all year round. (from 6 to 25 people). Concessions for 10+ guests.
On Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday at the Orkney Folklore and Storytelling Centre – 8 pm for an 8.30 pm start.
FIRESIDE AFTERNOONS
Sit in the Folk Art Studio, around the fireside, while listening to the legends and myths that weave through the Social traditions and work Customs of the past Orkney Islanders who worked the land and Fished The sea. Discover the wall murals and collages of the Islands’ legends and Myths, alongside the models, masks and puppets of the Orkney folkloric characters and creatures…..Discover our Folklore & Heritage library and the Hamnavoe Room with its 20th Century Orkney writers’ books and images of the Islands
BOOKING ESSENTIAL: Tickets £11 per adult and £7.50 per child
‘Peedie’ (small) Folk Art Gallery
A Summer Exhibition
Explore ‘seeing’ the stories, the island legends and lore and the Seascapes of the Orkney Fishing and Farming People in pastels, inks, pen & photographic images with words.
Family & children’s StoryCircles.
Create your own Storyboards and storymaps making your own characters and creatures in masks and puppets, all from recycled materials. Share and take away your own Island story in a Storycircles session.
Groups of 2 to 8 people are welcome.
COST: £50 per 2-hour session for every 4 people attending- all inclusive of art and craft materials, and Orkney refreshments.
The Power of Story Courses & Workshops
A Storytelling course for anyone to explore the Power Of Story. Through storymaking, communication arts, voice and rhythm work, discover the storyteller in you. This ancient oral and living tradition was the thread that passed on, for thousands of years, the wisdom, knowledge and practices of a community from one generation to the next.
Of particular benefit to: a) Professionals working in education, special education, social care and mental health b) For volunteers and staff working within social care, mental health and education. c) Parents, carers and Foster Carers with families, young children and adults with special educational needs and /or challenging behaviour. d) Students 18 years+ who are studying Drama, Dance and Performing Arts or preparing to audition for such courses.
The Past Orkney Islanders who worked the land and fished The seas
The Power Of Story Themes Explored:
THE WEAVER OF TALES: Learn how to effectively use voice, rhythm, gesture and language. Explore how to be a storyteller with legends and folk tales from your own environment. THE STORY FOLK: Explore the imagery and symbolism of the characters and creatures in a story. What they tell you, what they do that takes you on your journey through the story. Create your own, masks, storyboards, and written stories, and choose your own theme to create and tell your own story.
THE STORY DANCES & BALLADS – Follow the weavings and patterns of the traditional song dances and ballads. Their stories are told in the rhythm of beating feet, clapping hands and singing voices.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL FOR ALL EVENTS.Private bespoke one-to-one sessions by arrangement.
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