Writing Workshops: Storylands Sessions at the Highland Folk Museum

The Storylands Sessions are a series of music and storytelling events in Badenoch venues.Hosted by musician,Hamish Napier, and writer,Merryn Glover, The Sessions are a celebration of Highland culture and community, both traditional and contemporary. We welcome locals and visitors alike, classic material and original creations, and we love the buzz when they come together.

Storylands Sessions

Create all kinds of writing inspired by objects at the Highland Folk Museum  in these supportive workshops with author Merryn Glover

Highland Folk Museum

Music & storytelling events in Badenoch led by musician Hamish Napier, storyteller Aila Schafer with MC Jo Rodgers.  A celebration of Highland culture and community, the Sessions bring together all ages as both audience and performers.

Telling Hidden StoriesCalling writers and artists! Or those who’d just like to give it a go. Ignite your creativity with this series of word and image workshops in this exciting partnership between the Highland Folk Museum and Storylands Sessions. Come and respond to the the lesser-known stories of the Highlands, inspired by unique objects from the Museum’s collection.Each month, we will gather at the Museum’s Am Fasgadh building to explore intriguing artefacts from the collection store or in the grounds. These objects act as springboards for imaginative journeys – stories, poems, memoirs, or drama – with no limitation on genre or style and no expectation to focus on history or the Highlands. Let the objects spark your creativity and see where it takes you!The workshops are offered to anyone aged 16+, with no writing experience necessary.Visual artists are also warmly invited to make responses to the objects in your chosen medium. Please book in the normal way and bring your own materials.We create a relaxed, fun and welcoming space for anyone to join - and the kettle is on! There are opportunities and plenty of support to share your work, but no pressure.The workshops take place on the first Tuesday of every month from the 4th of February (except July) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. You can come to as many or as few as you like, but there is a discount for a block booking.A shorter version of the workshop for high school-aged young people is held on the same day from 5-6pm.The two-hour adult workshop is also held online on the following night (Wednesday) using images from the museum as stimuli.Bring paper, pen and a playful spirit.These workshops are mainly led by Sessions co-host and local author, <a href="https://www.merrynglover.com/" title="https://www.merrynglover.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Merryn Glover</a>. Merryn's books, Of Stone and Sky and The Hidden Fires: A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd are set in Badenoch, Speyside and the Cairngorms. Her first novel, A House Called Askival, is set in India, where she grew up. She has also written plays and short stories for BBC Radio and is a regular contributor to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/merryn-glover" title="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/merryn-glover" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Guardian Country Diary</a>.Other workshop leaders will be <a href="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" title="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Karen Hodgson Pryce</a>, <a href="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" title="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Andrea Turner</a> and <a href="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" title="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Barbara Henderson</a>.PROGRAMME 20251. Feb 4th: FABRIC <a href="https://merrynglover.com/" title="https://merrynglover.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Merryn Glover</a>2. March 4th: MUSIC <a href="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" title="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Andrea Turner</a>3. April 1st: FOOD <a href="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" title="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Karen Hodgson Pryce</a>4. May 6th: TREES <a href="https://merrynglover.com/" title="https://merrynglover.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Merryn Glover</a>5. June 3rd: CHILDHOOD <a href="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" title="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Barbara Henderson</a>July - no workshopAug 5th: FIELD <a href="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" title="https://linktr.ee/karenhodgsonpryce" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Karen Hodgson Pryce</a>Sept 2nd: SPORTS <a href="https://merrynglover.com/" title="https://merrynglover.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Merryn Glover</a>Oct 7th: FAITH <a href="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" title="https://www.barbarahenderson.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Barbara Henderson</a>Nov 4th: CRAFTS <a href="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" title="https://www.andreaturner-artandjazz.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Andrea Turner</a>Dec 2nd: FIRE <a href="https://merrynglover.com/" title="https://merrynglover.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Merryn Glover</a>The <a href="https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/" title="https://www.highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Highland Folk Museum</a>, run by Highlife Highland, is mainland Britain’s first open-air museum. Workshops will take place both inside and out and about when the weather is fine.

"Merryn always make participants feel so welcome and opens up such a safe space to explore, have fun and get those creative juices flowing no matter who you are or how much or little experience you have."

"Relaxing but stimulating space for community members to come together and share their ideas, opinions and work. "

The Am Fasgadh building (which means 'Shelter' in Gaelic) is at the north end of the Highland Folk Museum with it's own separate entrance from the road, including some parking. It is fully accessible and the main door is directly opposite the carpark. Please do not use the main carpark at the south end of the museum site, as it will be locked by the time our workshop finishes. Driving directions are <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g_vJwxc3m_7mKNhWP3PTULB9SvMOeCYf/view?usp=drive_link" title="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g_vJwxc3m_7mKNhWP3PTULB9SvMOeCYf/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

Storylands Sessions ShowsThese workshops are part of a wider programme of the <a href="https://bit.ly/StrySess" title="https://bit.ly/StrySess" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Storylands Sessions</a>. An project of Badenoch Heritage, the Sessions are a series of community music and story events celebrating the traditions and contemporary culture of Badenoch The Storylands.Jointly run by writer, Merryn Glover, and musician, <a href="https://www.hamishnapier.com/" title="https://www.hamishnapier.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Hamish Napier</a>, the programme includes monthly folk music workshops led by Hamish. See <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/storylands-sessions-folk-music-workshop-series-in-person-event-tickets-360629662027" title="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/storylands-sessions-folk-music-workshop-series-in-person-event-tickets-360629662027" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a> for info and bookings.The high point of the Storylands Sessions are the monthly Shows at the Kincraig Church Hall where material from the workshops and the wider community comes together in celebratory and inclusive events. See the rest of our <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/storylands-sessions-633719" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/storylands-sessions-633719" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">collection</a> for info and bookings.

Storylands Sessions is proud to be funded by Creative Scotland and generous donors.

Writing Workshops: Storylands Sessions at the Highland Folk Museum

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Writing Workshops: Storylands Sessions at the Highland Folk Museum

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