Teaching Scots Song in Schools with SC&T Youth

May 24, 2025June 8, 2025Leave a comment

I’ve been having a brilliant time in schools the past two weeks teaching Scots Song with SC&T Youth ! The Scottish Traditional Taster Sessions have so far been in Muirfield Primary and Ferryhill Primary with Primary 5, 6 and 7 pupils learning Guitar, Clarsach and Penny Whistle as well as a “Class song” which they sing accompanied by another primary on their instruments and two songs which they sing unaccompanied but along with the other participating classes.

At the end of the week all 3 classes perform their instrumental pieces, class songs and joint songs in front of the rest of the school and teachers – and the two schools I’ve been involved in have totally nailed their performances!

The class songs this year were –
Mary Mac, The Fisherman’s Lassie and The Bonnie Ship The Diamond. Both Mary Mac and the Bonnie Ship were new songs to the repertoire this year and have gone down very well with the pupils!
The joints songs have been the classics Barnyards of Delgaty and The Wellyboot Song.

Convincing P7s that Bothy Ballads are the coolest thing on earth must go down as one of my biggest achievements of 2025!

The Peterhead Trail Tours

March 28, 2024Leave a comment

The last few weeks have been a quiet one for me – not having a voice does enforce no storytelling!

However I’ve been able to spend that time learning even more about the Cordiner family toon of Peterheid! My dad aye made sure I knew loads of stories from Boddam and the Bloo Toon, but thanks to the The Peterhead Trail, there’s so much more to share!

For those of you booked on the tours, I’m looking forward to sharing it all on Saturday!

Guided tour of The Peterhead Trail this Easter School Holiday

Embark on a historic adventure and step back in time as our knowledgeable guide, Pauline, leads you through the streets of Peterhead. From familiar landmarks to stories of krakens and witches, uncover the stories that have shaped this coastal town into what it is today.

Explore hidden treasures whilst discovering hidden corners and secret spots that even the locals might not know about! This tour takes you on a journey to reveal the lesser-known tales and intriguing anecdotes that add depth to Peterhead’s history.

Learn from local expert Pauline who is a passionate historian and storyteller ready to share her expertise and insights with you. Gain a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage, from its modest beginnings to its pivotal role in maritime trade and beyond.

This tour is aimed at families with children aged 8 and over due to the amount of walking and the stories that will be told

Time Choices Available:

11.30am-12.30pm

http://bit.ly/4acQxwG

1.30pm-2.30pm

http://bit.ly/4cbTIqq

Sat 30 March, Drummers Corner Peterhead

A Grand Week at Sunnybank School

February 2, 2024Leave a comment

I’ve got some braw photies for you today from my week with SC&T Youth at Sunnybank School!

As I said in my post at the start of the week, the P6s were learning The Barnyards O Delgaty – quite the feat for those with non-Scots families, but they pronounced the Scots beautifully and I wis affa impressed wi their “knyot” in Meg MacPherson’s brose!

I posted a link to clarsach tutor Irene singing the song earlier this week, but here’s a link to Bothy Champion Joe Aitken’s performance at the Keith TMSA Festival in 2021 – back when we were still aa daen festivals fae oor livingrooms!

The Barnyards O Delgaty is sung about 22 minutes into Joe’s performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4yqCYp2O0U

The photo below is of my Dad’s Uncle Willie – taken around 1920. I wanted to show the bairns what ploughing horses looked like, all yokit up. (Uncle Willie is clearly spruced up for this photo, wi his pocket watch and everything!)

The drawings are from a rather talented P6! First she drew one of Uncle Willie’s horses – long after the photo had been taken down off the board! And then she drew me and our cat Apollo

(Apollo is looking mean because he clawed my arm in a moment of “I love you – I love attacking you!” leaving me with a rather obvious scratch, hehe )

I love when these visits inspire the kids in so many different ways

Spectra 2024!

January 30, 2024February 2, 2024Leave a comment

Don’t forget Spectra Festival is next week!
Spectra is Aberdeen’s Festival of Lights and this year is returning for its 10th anniversary of the first Spectra in 2014.

Lindsey Storyteller and myself will be telling tales in the Cowdray Hall between 6 and 10pm each night – some inspired by the various artworks across the city. Come hear a tale of a stubborn princess wooed by the lords of the local industries – she’d rather ignore them and hang out wi the seagulls instead!

(Now I’m getting carried away and considering Greggsy Granite, Shuggie Shipbuilder, Farquar Fash and … I don’t know. The temptation to have a golfing tycoon is huge. HUGE!)

Fizzy and Fuzzy the Fairies will be back (oh no) with a new story of their own – all about the giant beastie that rolls the sun across the sky!

Spectra Festival 2024

January 7, 2024Leave a comment

It’s just over a month until Spectra Festival 2024!

I’m delighted to announce that the wonderful Lindsey Gibb will be joining me again for more tales, fun and Irn Bru Jellybabies!

We’ve been looking at the exhibits Spectra have announced and are seeing what they inspire! The theme this year is “Connections” and one of the art works I’m most excited to see is “Spin Me A Yarn” by Studio Vertigo which ties into a wonderful folk tale.

Fizzy and Fuzzy will undoubtedly be getting a story to themselves (as well as their own supply of sweeties)

A Storytelling Visit to Greyhope School and Community Hub

November 23, 2023Leave a comment

What a great day out Fizzy the Fairy and I had yesterday at the brand new library at Greyhope School and Community Hub!

Aberdeen City Libraries had organised a visit for each of the Primary 1 classes who got a couple of stories and then received their Bookbug Bags containing 5 books, an activity book and colouring pencils. All part of Book Week Scotland and funded by the Scottish Book Trust!

The bairns had a story about an adventure and another story about a silly loon! But my favourite moment by far was….

“Jack, if someone gives you something like that, you need to carry it home underneath your…”

“OXTER!”

For those of you that dinna spik Doric, that means your armpit. It’s one of my favourite words and I was gey chuffed to have it shouted out!

Fizzy and I had a right nosey round the new library and facilities – which are so brand new, they (along with the school) only opened on the 1st November!

In fact we were so busy enjoying telling stories and having a nosey round that I forgot to take a photo – so you’ll have to make do with an old one

A photo of Pauline seated beneath a brightly coloured banner that says "Storytelling"
Pauline is holding her puppet friend Fizzy the Fairy. Both are smiling at the camer.

Horror Con Scotland (and a big cheer for Northern Frights)

October 22, 2023October 22, 2023Leave a comment

Pauline telling stories on stage at the Beach Ballroom. Wearing black and red dress outfit with cloak. She looks at the audience telling the story with a microphone in hand.

At 1am yesterday morning, the wonderful Laura from local events company Northern Frights was pulling out all the stops to make sure her latest event, Horror Con Scotland, was a big success despite Storm Babet ravaging the North East. Guests were arriving from all over and had to be taken to accommodatio – some entertainers, stall holders and of course attendees couldn’t make it. The roads were flooded, closed and in some places swept away – no trains, no buses… even taxis.

So I found myself on the stage at the Beach Ballroom a few hours later telling one of my favourite tales – Mr Fox. (Emergency Storytelling is a thing!) The atmosphere was wonderful – I had a wee audience of dedicated listeners at the front and was able to look out on the stalls, costumes, guests… the whole shebang as I told my tale.

Please go and follow Northern Frights on social media –
Web page – https://www.northernfrights.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northernfrightsuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northernfrights/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Northern_Fright

Laura is also behind Fantasy Con Scotland and Horror Con Scotland and runs inclusive events, family events … oh and she has 3 dragons. (For real!) Go out there and give them your support, attend the events – discover the magic!

Ghosts of Garthdee!

October 7, 2023Leave a comment

On Monday 30th October join Sheena Blackhall and Pauline Cordiner for two special Halloween storytelling events!

Kaimhill school are fundraising for the P7s trip to Cromdale next year. With the price per child greatly increased and a massive 66 P7s this year, the amount they need to raise is huge – so we’re running 2 extra special storytelling events. Hotdogs and other treats will be available on the night from 7pm to raise more funds. Any additional donations on the night would be very much appreciated!

Kaimhill’s Spooky Stories – Family Storytelling
At 6pm, families are invited to join local storytellers Sheena and myself for Kaimhill’s Spooky Stories.
Tales of Scary Skeletons, Witchy Wifies, Irritating Imps and Ghastly Ghosties! Suitable for all ages

The bairns are welcome to bring a blanket to coorie up in and everyone can wear fancy dress or bring a neepie/pumpkin lantern.
To book your family ticket please visit https://forms.gle/cwcs7atEfLeeguvL6
£5 per family group

Tickets can also be purchased in cash on the night

The Ghosts of Garthdee – Adult Storytelling
From 7.30 to 8.30pm, Sheena and Pauline will tell ghost stories from Garthdee and nearby Deeside – some tales of hauntings, gory stories and traditional local legends!

Spirits locked in a love triangle, an exorcism on the estate, a local councillors dodgy deals exposed, a roaming monk, a haunted gymnasium, and the murderous cat that killed its master!

Tickets cost £5 per adult. Stories will be suitable for over 16s only and children will not be admitted – there is an earlier event for family groups.

To book your ticket for The Ghosts of Garthdee please visit https://forms.gle/FiYktVYihUS5rh337
Tickets can also be purchased in cash on the night.

A poster for the events designed by P7 pupils at Kaimhill:

STORY CREATION WORKSHOPS AT GILCOMSTOUN PRIMARY SCHOOL

June 5, 2023Leave a comment

Here are some photos from my story creation project with Gilcomstoun Primary School. Primaries 1 – 7 and I created 6 stories about their learner dispositions – Bravery, Collaboration, Creativity, Determination, Motivation and Independence. What a wonderfully creative bunch!!

Class after class I was impressed by the pupils energy, creativeness and fun

Their stories included – a brave cook, a mystical bracelet, a kraken on top of Marischal College, neolithic farming, a poisonous platypus, and of course an alien toddler saving the day!

The pupils will be drawing the (super) heroes from their stories and I can’t wait to see them. Thanks all at Gilcomstoun Primary for such a wonderful story creation experience!

If your school has learner characteristics/dispositions and you’d like your pupils to work with a storyteller to create some stories – please contact me. Details in the “contacts” page

(Images are from the Gilcomstoun Primary Twitter Page.)

Pauline Cordiner – Scottish Storyteller

Stories, Songs, Parties, Crafts, Activities and Living History

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