Greetings all,

I hope this finds you well as we finally shift from the darker half of the year into light!

I'm a March baby, so always love this time, although in Scotland we're still getting sunshine and snow in equal measure. No chance of picking up a sun-tan...or even shedding our thermals quite yet!

With and eye on the brighter summer months, I have a few things to share, including some upcoming events and some poetic inspiration to finish.

EVENTS

I've got a mix of things coming up for people based in or visiting Scotland, a few detailed below.

Fianna, Folk and Faery

After collaborating with musician Freya Rae on the "Animate Lands" show last year, we're going to showcase a bit of story-music blending at Traquair hall on the 21st of April. As well as a couple of tales from the mighty Fianna cycle, we'll try something new aswell. The first half will be curated with space for contributions from the floor after the break.

Fianna, Folk and Faery in Traquair

FB event link: https://fb.me/e/R5JcOZV9

The Animate Lands show that we'll show snippets of is dear to my heart. It took me on a real journey with the old Fianna tales of Scotland and Ireland, gleaning hints of the old animistic culture of these lands. I was left musing the role of the bard or poet in keeping echoes of culture alive. The show is a culmination of that process and we'll bring it to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

I'm joined by gifted, multi-instrumentalist, folk musician and composer Freya Rae, and although I'm biased, I reckon this show is something special.

HONOURING THE CAILLEACH

I've grown to appreciate the place of stories alongside heritage crafts recently. Stimulating mind, hand and heart altogether is special, maybe even essential. It certainly makes me feel alive.

The Cailleach, ancient crone goddess plays a special part in Scottish lore and legend, credited with creating the land itself. I'm delighted to be working with Peter Ananin at the woodland tannery to bring together a weekend of storytelling and drum making in honour of her.

Not only will participants get the chance to listen to gnarly old Cailleach tales, but also make their own frame drum to take home. We'll take a trip to the Cailleach shrine in Glen Lyon as part of the weekend too.

We'll hold this in September, message me for updates on this one.

ONLINE STORYTELLING

I shared a gorgeous online event with Bulgarian storyteller Nana Tomova recently . It reminded me how much fun online storytelling can be. If you missed the event, maybe you'd like to catch up on her podcast, the Story Apothecary, I especially liked the episode with Baba Yaga and the seven orphans linked below. I guarantee you won't hear this story being told elsewhere!

Story Apothecary Podcast

SALMON OF KNOWLEDGE

As part of my Myth as Medicine course we recently studied 'Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge'.

We mused the imagery of salmon, hazel and oak, and celebrated the wild tracker women who raised Finn. We also considered the old poetic mentor and druid, Finnegas who plays a pivotal role in Finns development into the finest leader of the Fianna. Poetics were not to be trifled with in these times, they were essential.

As a wee nod to Finnegas, we sought out poetic mentors of our own.

I was lucky enough to do a workshop with Tm Hirons last year, who's poetry is mighty, raw and elegant.

Here are a few lines of one of his poems, and a link to his site where he offers regular online workshops, poems and coaching.

THE WORSHIP OF PLACE

by Tom Hirons

There is a temple I know whose roof is made of sky.

On its ceiling are painted clouds and stars

And the rooms and corridors are made of leaves and branches;

Its doors are open to all people, day and night.

Anyone may enter, whether or not they listen

To the wise words spoken within.

....Find the rest at https://tomhirons.com/poetry

Feel free to send inspiring poems in return!

Wishing you a bright and expansive Springtime.

All best

Dougie