Find answers to common questions about SISF, including tickets, family events, venues, accommodation, accessibility, storytelling, workshops and events across Scotland.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns from 21–31 October 2026, with events in Edinburgh and across Scotland, with the full programme on sale on the 15 September 2026.
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About SISF
Tickets & Booking
Festival Passes & Planning
Family Events
Venues & Accessibility
Accommodation
Storytelling
Getting Involved
Go Local
Practical Information
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) is an annual celebration of live, oral storytelling in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Founded in 1989, the festival brings together storytellers, musicians, artists and audiences from Scotland and around the world. The programme includes live storytelling performances, family events, workshops, talks and other opportunities to experience and share stories.
SISF celebrates Scotland’s rich storytelling heritage while exploring how storytelling continues to develop as a contemporary artform.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026 takes place from Wednesday 21 October to Saturday 31 October 2026. The wider SISF community and family programme runs alongside the festival, with events taking place from October into November.
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is based in Edinburgh, with the Scottish Storytelling Centre at 43–45 High Street as its main venue. You can find out more information on the venue and how to get there on this page: scottishstorytellingcentre.com/about-us/.
The festival also presents storytelling events in venues and communities across Scotland through its wider Go Local programme.
No. Edinburgh is the main hub of SISF, but the festival also brings storytelling to communities and venues across Scotland through its Go Local programme and wider community activity.
The theme of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026 is Bird and Beast. The programme explores the rich traditional and contemporary relationships between humans, birds, animals and the natural world.
Traditional storytelling is the art of sharing stories through the spoken word and through a direct relationship between storyteller and audience.
Stories can come from oral traditions, folklore, mythology, history, lived experience, local traditions and contemporary creative practice. SISF celebrates both Scotland’s storytelling traditions and storytelling from cultures and communities around the world.
To find out more about storytelling and its practice visit the Scottish Storytelling Forum website.
Tickets are available through the event listings on the Scottish International Storytelling Festival website when events are released for booking. Visit our Events to browse the programme and select an event. Each listing provides the relevant date, time, venue, ticket and booking information.
Tickets for the 2026 family programme are currently on sale, with family events running from 10–31 October 2026.
Further programme and ticket information will be available through the SISF Event listings as events are announced on the 15 September 2026.
Ticket prices vary depending on the event, venue and type of programme. The individual event listing contains the current ticket price and booking information including all relevant fees.
We recommend booking in advance, particularly for popular events and family activities, as some events have limited capacity.
Some events may be free but ticketed, while others have different booking arrangements. Check the individual event listing for details.
If an event is sold out, check the individual event listing for any available waiting-list information or alternative booking options. You can also explore other events in the Scottish International Storytelling Festival programme.
Festival pass options vary from year to year. If a pass is available for the 2026 Scottish International Storytelling Festival, details including price, benefits and how to buy one will be published on the SISF website before the programme launches. The full 2026 festival programme launches on 15 September 2026. To stay up to date with all the latest festival news subscribe to our SISF Newsletter.
Individual events have their own tickets and booking arrangements, so you should check the event listing for the event you want to attend. If a festival pass or other discounted ticket option is available, this will be explained in the relevant ticket information.
Absolutely. Many people attend several events during SISF. The programme includes performances, workshops, family events, talks and other storytelling experiences, so you can create your own festival itinerary.
Check the individual event listings for dates, times, venues, prices and booking information.
Start by browsing the SISF programme and choosing the events you would like to attend. Check the date, time, venue, ticket price and any age or accessibility information for each event.
If you are travelling to Edinburgh for the festival, you may also want to book accommodation in advance, because Edinburgh is a busy city all-year round.
Yes. SISF includes a bespoke family programme of storytelling performances and events designed for children and families. Age recommendations vary from event to event, so check the individual event listing before booking.
Yes. The SISF family programme includes storytelling performances and events during the October school holidays and across the wider festival period. The 2026 family programme runs from 10–31 October and tickets can be bought here: SISF Family Programme.
There is no single age range for all family events. Some are designed for younger children and families, while others are suitable for older children. The recommended age for each event is shown in its individual programme listing.
Yes. Family storytelling is designed to be enjoyed together, with adults and children sharing the experience. Individual events may have different age recommendations, so check the event listing before booking.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is at:
43–45 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SR
It is located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town. Find out more information here: scottishstorytellingcentre.com/about-us/
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is centrally located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Edinburgh Waverley railway station is within walking distance, with local bus services also available nearby. Find out more information here: scottishstorytellingcentre.com/about-us/
Accessibility information is available for the Scottish Storytelling Centre and individual SISF events. Find out more about the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s accessibility and policies here: scottishstorytellingcentre.com/about-us/accessibility/
For events outside the Scottish Storytelling Centre accessibility can vary depending on the venue, please check the access information provided for the individual event before booking.
SISF is committed to accessibility and inclusion, with accessible performances and enhanced performance options included in the programme where available. Check individual event listings for the latest accessibility information.
The main hub of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is the Scottish Storytelling Centre at 43–45 High Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town. If you are travelling to Edinburgh for SISF, staying in or around the city centre, Old Town, New Town or nearby neighbourhoods can make it easier to get to festival events, however the Scottish Storytelling Centre (the main hub of SISF) is very well connected to public transport.
There is a wide range of accommodation in Edinburgh, from hostels and budget hotels to guesthouses, self-catering accommodation and larger hotels.
Yes. The Scottish Storytelling Centre is centrally located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, with a wide range of accommodation within walking distance or a short journey by public transport.
Options in and around Edinburgh’s Old Town include hotels, guesthouses, hostels and self-catering accommodation.
If you are looking for the most convenient location for attending several SISF events, searching for accommodation around Edinburgh Old Town, the Royal Mile or Edinburgh city centre is a good place to start.
Accommodation prices in Edinburgh vary depending on the date, location and type of accommodation. Budget options can include hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation.
For the best value, compare accommodation options across Edinburgh and consider staying slightly outside the Old Town if you are happy to travel to the festival by public transport.
Booking early is recommended if you are travelling specifically for the festival, as Edinburgh can be busy during October.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is within walking distance of Edinburgh Waverley railway station, making it convenient for visitors travelling to Edinburgh by train. The Centre is located at 43–45 High Street on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Yes. Edinburgh has strong rail and bus connections with many towns and cities across Scotland, so it is possible to stay outside the city and travel in for festival events.
If you are attending an evening event, check your return journey before booking, particularly if you are staying outside Edinburgh.
SISF does not provide general accommodation for festival audiences. Visitors should arrange their own accommodation if they are travelling to Edinburgh for the festival.
If you are travelling to Scotland specifically to attend SISF, we recommend booking accommodation as early as possible.
A storytelling performance involves a storyteller sharing stories directly with an audience. You might hear traditional folktales, myths, legends, personal stories, historical stories or newly created work. Some performances also include music, song, movement or other artforms.
At SISF, the audience’s imagination is an important part of the experience. Every performance is shaped by the relationship between storyteller and audience.
No. You do not need any previous knowledge of Scottish folklore, mythology or traditional storytelling to attend SISF.
The festival welcomes people who are discovering storytelling for the first time as well as regular audiences and experienced storytellers.
Some events are participatory and others are designed primarily for listening. Family events and workshops may include opportunities to join in, while performances may have a more traditional audience format. Check the individual event description if you want to know whether an event is participatory.
Absolutely. You do not need any previous experience of storytelling or storytelling festivals to enjoy SISF. The programme includes events for people discovering live storytelling for the first time, alongside opportunities for experienced audiences and storytellers.
Yes. The Scottish International Storytelling Festival programme includes storytelling workshops and learning opportunities.
Workshop content varies and may include opportunities for adults, children, aspiring storytellers, artists and people interested in developing their storytelling skills.
Yes. SISF workshops and participatory events can provide opportunities to explore storytelling, storycraft, performance, traditional stories and related creative practices. Check the individual workshop listing for any experience or age requirements.
SISF welcomes proposals from storytellers and artists when programme opportunities are available. Current information about submitting proposals and getting involved is available on the Get Involved page.
Yes. SISF brings together storytellers and artists from Scotland and around the world. The 2026 festival includes guest storytellers from countries including Türkiye, Italy, Ireland and North America.
Go Local is the Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s Scotland-wide programme, bringing storytelling beyond the festival’s main Edinburgh base.
It connects storytellers, communities, venues and cultural partners across Scotland through live events and other storytelling activity.
Go Local events take place in communities and venues across Scotland. Locations vary from year to year, so check the current SISF programme for events near you.
Yes. SISF works with communities, schools, storytellers, venues and cultural partners across Scotland. The festival also runs community initiatives such as the Big Scottish Story Ripple, which connects professional storytellers with schools and community groups. You can find out more information here: sisf.org.uk/community-programme/
Event lengths vary depending on the performance, workshop or activity. Check the individual event listing for the expected duration.
Photography and recording policies can vary between events and venues. Please follow any instructions given by the venue or event team and avoid anything that distracts performers or other audience members.
Visit sisf.org.uk to explore current events, performances, family activities, workshops and other festival events.
If a Scottish International Storytelling Festival event is cancelled, postponed or significantly changed, we will provide information to ticket holders as soon as possible.
If you have booked a ticket, please check your email and the relevant event listing for the latest information. Any arrangements for refunds, exchanges or alternative dates will be communicated to ticket holders where applicable.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, get in touch with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival team.
Contact the Scottish International Storytelling Festival Team
TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland SC043009) brings together the Traditional Music Forum (SC042867), the Scottish Storytelling Forum (SC020891) and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (SC045085). TRACS is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which is a partnership project between the Storytelling Forum and The Church of Scotland (SC011353).
