SITTING COMFORTABLY: Book in for your Edinburgh adventure
Are you all sitting comfortably? REBECCA KONCIENZCY tells a tale of Edinburgh, where storytelling is still king
STEPPING off the train and into the city of Edinburgh is like walking into a Harry Potter set.
Historic buildings lurk around every corner, there are hidden alleys and shortcuts and the distinct sound of bagpipes.
This is a city for explorers. My husband, my son and I made the trip to the hilly capital of Scotland in the October half-term and it was the perfect treat for mid-autumn.
The golden colours create the perfect backdrop for listening to stories and tales of Celtic folklore at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Spread across more than 15 days, families can discover tall tales, historic adventures, myths and legends for every age. This year’s festival celebrates old traditions and new connections, showcasing how music, dance and story communicate shared experiences that are ‘Beyond Words’.
Events take place across the city, many of them free, with one of our favourites being the Armagh Rhymers, whose perfect nonsense made for a wonderfully chaotic afternoon of traditional music and theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Museum. With wicker animal masks and a mini-ceilidh, the children were transfixed with the drama of their stories, rooted in the works of Irish poets.
Or you can listen to Scottish stories at the Museum of Childhood, making sure to visit their room of dolls, which is the best (and most terrifying) room I have visited. We spend at least half an hour looking at the faces on the toys, some beautiful and intricate – others, well, less so.
If you are a little braver, you could also try out one of the many family-friendly ghost walks where your guide will tell you all the gory details of the city’s history – it’s like an interactive Horrible Histories. We walked cobbled streets with Mercat Tours which took us underneath the city to the vaults and caverns beneath the South Bridge. Underground, you will discover how the enclaves were once used for parties and the black market and hear spine-chilling accounts of how different tour groups have claimed to see the same ghosts lurking in corners.
If perhaps you are travelling with smaller children who may find the ghost tour a bit too scary, the Botanic Gardens are a must, especially at this time of year.
Multi-coloured leaves stretch as far as the eye can see in this diverse conservation centre. We learned about growing stories into the tallest of tales with instruments and trails along paths of the gardens with your storytelling guide in the autumnal sunlight.
My son is 10 years old, so we found navigating the city quite easy, walking around looking for somewhere to eat (of which there are many – Italian restaurant Vittoria on the Bridge is highly recommended) is part of the picturesque fun, particularly along the Royal Mile.
We also took time out from the festival to soak up some more culture and history. At Camera Obscura, you can dive into the world of illusions with tricks of light and magical optical effects.
The stunning views from Edinburgh Castle do not disappoint – it is where I completely fell in love with Edinburgh. However you decide to see the city, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a wonderful way to bookend a city trip with your family.
Ideal for turning over a new leaf and opening a new chapter.