“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
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 16th 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.
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 🐙🐳🦑⚓🛶🧜♂️🧜♀️
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.
Some cracking photos from my storytelling sessions at Crathes Castle this Sunday just past. Some amazing audiences! Thanks to everyone at Crathes for making me and Cauld Johnny (the shkellington that shounds a bit like Sean Connery) so welcome!
Last week I had the amazing opportunity to work with artist Simon Yuill on an animist workshop at Peacock Visual Art’s The WORM.
“The exhibition “Raik” by Simon Yuill is a study of the Raik Road area in Aberdeen looking at its development since the end of the Ice Age in terms of what the artist calls a metabolic animism. This looks at the area as a site of metabolic flows and processes that have changed over time.” To read more about it, click here – https://peacockvisualarts.com/simon-yuill-raik/
Simon explained the 5 different time periods in the exhibition – each of which had a beautifully made cloak that you can see some of the children wearing in the photographs below – mesolithic (early stone age), Pictish, the Herring boom, North Sea Oil and the future. I then told the story of a spoiled chieftain’s son who had to survive alone in a mysterious landscape.
The children were then able to make animal masks which they were able to take home with them. We then created a story which saw a young girl slip back in time to the mesolithic. (Watch this space for the story!)
I’d like to thank all the children and parents were involved and especially Simon for asking me along to provide the traditional storytelling element. Thanks of course to those at Peacock and The Worm as well!
