Lyth Arts Centre to showcase work from Northern Stories Festival – New international festival celebrates Scotland’s links with Scandinavia and North America

Lyth Arts Centre has announced that its forthcoming Northern Stories Festival (NSF) will include an international line-up of speakers and events across venues in Caithness.

Running from October 7-16, NSF will showcase stories from the far north. An exciting hybrid programme of online and in-person events includes an international line-up of performers and storytellers from the Highlands, Scandinavia and Canada. With talks, workshops, films and exhibitions, there will be something for all the family to get involved in.

Highlights include Circo Rum Ba Ba’s The Tale of Whale at Rosebank Playing Fields which will see a 50ft sperm whale wash up in the heart of Wick. Families will be welcomed inside the belly of the beast to hear seafaring stories of pirates battling plastic and explore mermaid museums.

Drawing on Caithness’ local heritage as Pictish ‘Painted People’, there will be a specially commissioned series of photographic portraits by award-winning photographer Susie Mackenzie in a new exhibition at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso. Personal stories from local people and the pride and prestige of Pictish body art combines with contemporary inking to celebrate the rich history of Caithness’ tattoo culture.

Music events include Highland / Shetland trio Salt House, Mairi Campbell and a special performance of ‘Cattachs and Gallachs of the Grey Coast’ from Gordon Gunn, Andy Thorburn and George Gunn. Performances are taking place in village halls, distilleries, heritage centres, cafés and even a disused salmon bothy in Dunbeath – home of prolific novelist, critic and dramatic Neil Gunn. A special event ‘Where Rivers Rise: Neil Gunn's Dunbeath’ will mark the celebrated author's life and the continuing cultural importance of the landscape that inspired him.

In a series of online events, audiences are invited to hear readings from acclaimed Norwegian and Canadian writers and poets. With a focus on place and nature writing, special events include Orcadian authors Linda Gask (author of ‘Finding True North’) and Samantha Clarke (‘The Clearing’) discussing the healing power of place and the north with Bergen-based poet Marta Engevik Fjæreide. The festival will close with a special online reading from former Edinburgh Makar Christine De Luca.

Charlotte Mountford, director of Lyth Arts Centre which is producing the festival, said: "We’re really excited to be a part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. Caithness has really strong ties with our northern neighbours and it’s been a great chance to work with partners and colleagues in Norway and Canada. We hope our local community will find something to enjoy on their doorstep, and that our online programme will attract a national and international audience. It’s a great opportunity share our stories and celebrate international connections.”

Northern Stories Festival takes place from October 7 – 16. For full programme information and tickets visit lytharts.org.uk/northern-stories-festival/

Northern Stories Festival is supported by EventScotland.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.