Spring Equinox Stories with Eileen Budd

Join storyteller Eileen Budd for stories about seaweed and the Stirrings of Spring, celebrating our Treasures of the Deep Exhibition and seasonal shifts.

Stories for the Stirrings of Spring

In Scottish folk belief there are 3 realms: Sky, Sea and Land. At this time of year, although we might not see it, something stirs within each of these realms. The Sea Mither uses her great storms to keep her monstrous son, Nuckleavee, from escaping the sea. The full waxing moon bids the leaves to return to the trees. The Cailleach rests on the mountain and keeps watch for the return of the cuckoo from the otherworld. Storyteller Eileen Budd will take us on a journey through the 3 realms to meet the creatures that awaken within them.

Suitable for all age groups over 13 years.

This event marks the inauguration of our Seasonal Storytelling sessions led by Eileen Budd, where we come together to reflect on the passing of time and our connection to the natural world through Scottish folklore and traditions.

Treasures of the Deep is a three-month pilot programme that takes the St Andrews Botanic Garden’s algal collection as its anchor and point of departure. Through a series of lunchtime talks, workshops, and an exhibition, we invite our audiences, local and international artists, writers, academics and organisations to explore seaweed as both a biological material and a medium for reflecting on broader environmental, social, and feminist issues. Together, we will examine how algal collections can inspire new ways of thinking, providing insights into our past, present, and future relationships with the natural world.

To increase accessibility, we have chosen a sliding scale for our ticket prices. If you can afford a full-price ticket, and would like to support others to attend, please choose an upper-tier "pay it forward" ticket. If you would like to attend, but affording a ticket is a barrier, please feel free to book a reduced ticket - we are happy to offer a small contingent of discounted tickets to those who would otherwise face barriers to access. All donations and ticket sales are essential in allowing us to continue offering events such as these - we're grateful for all our supporters who attend our events and are advocates for our work.