Telling Hidden Stories
Calling writers and artists! Or those who’d just like to give it a go. Ignite your creativity with this series of word and image workshops in this exciting partnership between the Highland Folk Museum and Storylands Sessions. Come and respond to the the lesser-known stories of the Highlands, inspired by unique objects from the Museum’s collection.
Each month, we will gather at the Museum’s Am Fasgadh building to explore intriguing artefacts from the collection store or in the grounds. These objects act as springboards for imaginative journeys – stories, poems, memoirs, or drama – with no limitation on genre or style and no expectation to focus on history or the Highlands. Let the objects spark your creativity and see where it takes you!
The workshops are offered to anyone aged 16+, with no writing experience necessary.
Visual artists are also warmly invited to make responses to the objects in your chosen medium. Please book in the normal way and bring your own materials.
We create a relaxed, fun and welcoming space for anyone to join - and the kettle is on! There are opportunities and plenty of support to share your work, but no pressure.
The workshops take place on the first Tuesday of every month from the 4th of February (except July) from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. You can come to as many or as few as you like, but there is a discount for a block booking.
A shorter version of the workshop for high school-aged young people is held on the same day from 5-6pm.
The two-hour adult workshop is also held online on the following night (Wednesday) using images from the museum as stimuli.
Bring paper, pen and a playful spirit.
These workshops are mainly led by Sessions co-host and local author, Merryn Glover. Merryn's books, Of Stone and Sky and The Hidden Fires: A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd are set in Badenoch, Speyside and the Cairngorms. Her first novel, A House Called Askival, is set in India, where she grew up. She has also written plays and short stories for BBC Radio and is a regular contributor to the Guardian Country Diary.
Other workshop leaders will be Karen Hodgson Pryce, Andrea Turner and Barbara Henderson.
FUTURE WORKSHOPS 2025
April 1st: FOOD Karen Hodgson Pryce
May 6th: TREES Merryn Glover
June 3rd: CHILDHOOD Barbara Henderson
July - no workshop
Aug 5th: FIELD Karen Hodgson Pryce
Sept 2nd: SPORTS Merryn Glover
Oct 7th: FAITH Barbara Henderson
Nov 4th: CRAFTS Andrea Turner
Dec 2nd: FIRE Merryn Glover
The Highland Folk Museum, run by Highlife Highland, is mainland Britain’s first open-air museum. Workshops will take place both inside and out and about when the weather is fine.
