Last week Skene Square Primary School here in Aberdeen opened their newly spruced up library!  Fizzy and I were lucky enough to get invited along to tell stories to all the classes from Nursery to P7.

Super listeners and a super new setting to tell some tales!  Thanks for having us 😀

What a great way to spend our first visit to the new library! Thank you so much Pauline and Fizzy 🥰🧚‍♂️ #storytelling #earlyyearsscotland #storysetting #fizzythefairy pic.twitter.com/NPcjMimg29

— Skene Square School (@SkeneSquare) December 4, 2019

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“Come along to Charles Michies, 391 Union Street, Aberdeen for some magical advertures with Fizzy the Elf. Stories for children of all ages. 11am – 2pm in the cafe.

FREE – BOOKING NOT NECESSARY”

https://www.facebook.com/events/2469424876679668/?active_tab=about

(Actually I’ll be telling most of the stories – Fizzy will be doing her best to help 😉 )

“Storytime for grown-ups. Join local storyteller Pauline Cordiner for some local myths, legends, humorous stories and terrifying tales and perhaps even a wee song to celebrate Book Week Scotland. Booking essential. This is a free event funded by the Scottish Book Trust”

Next Wednesday night at Portlethen Library. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance from https://aberdeenshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/EVSESENQ/63880289/48249918,1

https://www.facebook.com/events/400070277337431/

I’ve really been enjoying the research for this event – held on the 16th November at Macduff Marine Aquarium!  More details below.

Busting Sea Myths with Macduff Marine Aquarium
Contact: Marie Dare, Macduff Marine Aquarium Learning Officer

 Mermaids, krakens, sirens, selkies; the sea has inspired tales of fantastical creatures and monsters that have been passed down the generations for hundreds of years. Joining in the ‘spooktacular’ seasonal celebrations, Macduff Marine Aquarium will be exploring murky tales of old during a special Aquarium by Night event on the evening of Saturday 16^th November. The aquarium will be opening its doors after dark, to delve into the realm of monsters, folklore and the origins of these sea stories, with the exciting ‘Busting Sea Myths’ show.

For those who have ever wondered about sea monsters, this is a night not to be missed!

The unique event will see culture, storytelling and literature come together with natural history and science to explore how sea myths started, were perpetuated and live on, even to this day. Local storyteller Pauline Cordiner will be bringing to life the tales of our favourite mysterious beasts of the deep, and teaming up with the aquarium’s own Learning Officer, Marie Dare, for a sprinkling of marine science.

Marie said ‘The oceans have always held a special fascination for us landlubbers and tales of sea monsters exist in cultures all around the world. The oceans are still largely unexplored and new species are frequently discovered so who knows what mysteries are still hidden within its depths. While we hope to dispel people’s fear of sea monsters, we would like visitors to leave with a sense of wonder at the diversity and vastness of the oceans.’

The event will run from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. There will be a treasure hunt with a real treasure reward at the end for those with enough pluck to complete it! There will also be a make and take monster printing station – as well as the chance to see the aquarium in a whole new light!

The Busting Sea Myths show will run at 5pm and again at 5:45pm. Space in the shows is limited so visitors are encouraged to pre-book their tickets by calling or emailing the aquarium at 01261 833 369 or macduff.aquarium@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Normal entry prices apply.

Is it time for festive stories yet? 😀
Stories for old and young alike at this super craft fair on the 30th November.

https://facebook.com/events/521310775116482/?ti=as

Coming soon! Busting the myths and stories of some of the most famous monsters of the sea!  Join us at Macduff Marine Aquarium for the facts behind the seafarers tall tales of old 🐙🐳🦑⚓🛶🧜‍♂️🧜‍♀️

https://facebook.com/events/444224806201195/?ti=as

Here’s the terrifying trio who were busy on Thursday evening telling stories at Haddo House’s Pheasantry. We spooked ourselves so much that the walk back to the car in the dark was truly scary! 😀
Diana (https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponATuneAberdeen/), David (https://www.facebook.com/halfmanhalfmyth/) and I would have been hard pushed to find a more cosy and atmospheric venue. Thanks to the ladies of Haddo who hosted the event for GAS 

Well that’s Halloween over and done with for another year!
(Cauld Johnny is having a right sulk and is hunting for a nice Santa hat so he can “do” Christmas as well.)

For the next week I’ll be busy preparing for a fairy party and running storytelling workshops at Oldmachar Academy for their S1 pupils and P7 pupils from Oldmachar’s 5 feeder primary schools! I love my job 

Coming up on the 22nd November – the third outing for this set of stories from Aden Country Park and the surrounding countryside! Delighted to be asked back after the first two events sold out 

https://www.facebook.com/events/552986465270027/

Look what arrived in the post today!

Haunted Voices is an anthology of gothic storyteller from some of Scotland’s best storytellers (and myself too) which is now available to buy as an audio collection, e-book or the traditional thing known as a “book.”

You can buy directly from the publishers here – https://www.hauntpublishing.com/books. If it’s a print copy it will be sent out as soon as possible and the audio and e-book are sent immediately after purchase.