WINTER MONTHS –  November 2024 to March 2025

Bookings can be made for groups for any events at the Centre by Arrangement with Lynn.

Tel: +44 (0) 1856 841207   E-mail: peatfire@orkneyattractions.com

An evening of Island storytelling that combines legend, lore and social customs with music, song and dance

The Orkney Folklore and Storytelling Centre is where Scottish folklore and Island myths come alive. Share in the oral tradition of Orkney; experience Scottish folklore and Island legend with music, song and dance. Lynn Barbour has explored the folklore and myths of her home country along with other Scottish storytellers. We welcome other Scottish storytellers to come along and share their tales of folklore and legend.

“The islanders have always loved legends – in previous generations, on a winter night, there was nothing else for them to do but tell stories and play their fiddles. They told stories, of course, about their neighbours and about the Laird and Minister and smugglers and lovers – the vivid people who were part of their own circumstances.“
George Mackay Brown

The social customs of the Orkney fishing and farming communities underline the spiritual connection between people and the natural elements. Folklore and myth is not particular just to the Orkney islands, the oral tradition of storytelling is a worldwide heritage. Scottish storytellers have passed on the folklore and myth in their own dialect for thousands of years and still do. In Orkney, the language of the Norse and Pictish people, Norn, was lost. Only remnants of the old sagas and stories remain. We offer to you these island myths and legends, a glimpse back to the lost times of evenings by the peat fire.

“The enchanting tongues went on and on beside the fish-oil lamps. Then the grey of morning entered the crofts and called the islanders back once more to their hard work of ploughing and fishing“.
George Mackay Brown

Private Bespoke Evenings 

Available for 6 – 30 guests. Book your group: Families, community, handfasting and wedding groups welcome. Personalised, bespoke evening of traditional stories. Social customs, music and dance…