Edinburgh this week: stories to share, palms to rediscover
A new schools storytelling project gives the week a hopeful start. For the weekend, there are free stories at the National Museum, a concert at Usher Hall and time among the restored Palm Houses, with more tales continuing into next week.
Good news for the next storytellers
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s news on Tuesday 20 October looked beyond the stage. Its Betsy’s Bairns pilot is introducing children to storytelling in three primary schools across Aberdeen, Edinburgh and East Lothian, honouring the storyteller and singer Betsy Whyte. The organisers hope to expand it in future. For now, it is a small, specific piece of good news: children are being encouraged to become tellers themselves. It is a school-based pilot, not an open public workshop you can book for this weekend.
Saturday’s free family anchor
The National Museum of Scotland has a more immediate invitation. Family Storytelling Day is scheduled for Saturday 24 October, 10:30–16:30, with stories, crafts and encounters with objects from the collections. Entry is free and drop-in, but individual storytelling sessions have limited space: sign up at the desk in the Grand Gallery on the day. Make that your first stop if a particular session matters to your family. One access detail needs attention: the level-four seminar room used for Tales of the Wee Folk is currently stairs-only because its lift is out of order.
Leave room for something green
The restored Palm Houses offer another kind of outing at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Daily timed entry slots are listed from 10:15 to 16:15, and the garden recommends booking ahead; members also need a slot. Adult admission is £4.95 without the voluntary donation, while children aged 15 and under enter free. The visitor information describes step-free entry. Keep the scope clear when booking: the reopened Palm Houses are the attraction, while the Front Range glasshouses remain closed. This is a chance to explore the restored spaces, not the whole glasshouse complex.
An evening with a definite destination
For a concert to build Saturday evening around, Hue and Cry are listed at Usher Hall on 24 October at 19:00. The saved ticket-provider record specifies that under-16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18. Follow the event details for the current ticket position and any venue instructions rather than treating a calendar entry as confirmation of available seats. It is a different pace from the museum’s drop-in day: one performance, one venue and an evening time to organise your other plans around.
The stories continue next week
The wider Bird and Beast festival programme continues through 31 October, with the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street as its Edinburgh base. Stories, workshops and family events give you reasons to return after the weekend, and the festival highlights both BSL-signed performances and BSL-led events. Check each listing for its own time, age guidance and booking arrangements. With the museum day, the concert and the Palm Houses offering different kinds of visit, there is no need to make this one crowded Saturday; leave a story for next week.
Written with AI assistance from local reporting and organiser listings; event plans can change. Times in the story are local to the city.
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