Taibhsear Collective

Dreaming Bread and Skyrie Stanes (2018)

by Scott Richardson-Read
written by Scott Richardson-Read
two ladies sit holding mysterious brown envelopes both and smiling and look intrigued by what is inside.

Dreaming Bread and Skyrie Stanes was the Taibhsear Collective’s first event. It took place in November 2018 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, and focused on exploring Scottish folk magic and traditions. It also tied in with the launch of the Taibhsear Collective’s recorded album of Scottish folk tales and songs, Tales of the Taibhsear.

This event was a day long celebration of Scottish folk magic, lore, legends, and community traditions. It took place on Old Halloween, and brought together academics, storytellers, artists, and specialists from diverse fields including folklore, animism, the fairy faith, herbalism, and traditional crafts. They shared their knowledge through performances, presentations, and workshops, and gave participants the chance to engage with and enjoy a glimpse into the everyday enchantment to be found in Scotland’s traditions and lore.

View the programme

Feedback

To help us understand what went well and how to improve things for future events, we collected anonymous feedback from event attendees. Here is some of what they said…

“I enjoyed the atmosphere of camaraderie and the sense that we were all united for a common purpose.”

“Experiencing things I had not had a chance to experience before; wonderful storytellers, beautiful music, a connection to my heritage, & knowledge that google cannot give me!”

“Variety of speakers from different fields, mix of music/storytelling and academic papers, venue was great, interesting stalls.”

Collage of Scottish scenery and charms: A stone circle, some red thread, a cross made of rowan twigs, and a woman tying a cloth to a tree.

Press

  • ‘Dreaming Bread and Skyrie Stanes: A Celebration of Scottish Folk Magic and Community Traditions’ by Valentina Bold, featured in The Bottle Imp (issue 24)
  • ‘Dreaming Bread and Skyrie Stanes: Scottish Folk Magic and Community Traditions’ by Amelia Starling & Amanda Edmiston, featured on #FolkloreThursday
  • ‘A Touch of Magic and Tradition as Scots Folklore Celebration Dreaming Bread and Skyrie Stanes Comes to Town’ by Nadine McBay, featured in The National
Scott Richardson-Read, Debbie Armour and Amanda Edmiston, seated talking at the Scottish Story Telling centre next to some start figures. Scott is waving his hands around as he speaks he looks very serious
Scott Richardson-read looking slightly overweight holding a basket woven of wood with soul cakes in it
A collection of CD covers from the tales of the Taibhsear album cover drawn by Julie Jeffery the front image shows a woman hand drawn with some rowan berries in front of her.
Crowd at Dreaming bread and Skyrie Stanes 2018. Scott is wearing a red jumper and speaking to Amanda as the crowd laughs. Everyone looks liek they are having a good time.
Professor Terry Gunnell talking about skekling and skekllers
a lady wearing a multi coloured top pours mugwort onto her open palm from a plain brown mysterious looking envelope.
Claire Hewitt story teller - Sits mid story here face relaxed and her arms open lit by a spotlight form above. A drum sits by her feet cloaked in shadow.
Burd Ellen playing a concert on stage. They both are wearing black and are mid song. Two skekler figures loom over them looking onwards with grimaces on their faces.
Bea a story teller in mid story moving her hands in a wide gesture in front of some blurred out photography. She's wearing a flowery top and looks intense at the camera.
Dr Julian Goodare - he stands on the stage with a slide saying his name in the background. The audience looks impressed by his tweed jacket.
a selection of herbs in different jars surround by information from herbal practitioners from Grass roots remedies
Claire Hewitt story teller stands commanding in the middle of the stage she holds her drum in her left hand and wears no shoes and she is mid song. The rest of the stage is dark and a spotlight highlights her from above.
two ladies sit holding mysterious brown envelopes both and smiling and look intrigued by what is inside.
the guy from rookery mead Chris mullin stands explaining mead gesticulating with his hands an audience looks on fascinated.
Soraya from Grass roots Remedies pours a tincture into small plastic glasses for the audience. She is wearing a green beanie and a collection of herbs in jars and ointments sit in front of her
Amanda Edmiston talking on the stage wearing a black top and holding her face about to speak
Dr Valentina Bold stands at a podium in a multi coloured dress wearing glasses on. Her hair hangs framing her face in a beautiful way as she looks over the podium.
Claire Hewitt bangs her drums her hand is blurred as she bangs it very fast as she chants loudly. The air around her is grey with the effort.
Dr Greg Kennicer - Dr Kennicer is talking to the audience his mouth is slightly open. he wears a brown waistcoat with green shirt underneath.
Amelia Starling - she holds a ribbon in her hand and is speaking on the stage. She looks really beautiful.
Christopher Mullin from rookery mead wearing a waistcoat clicking on a laptop in front of him staring intently as someone asks him a question.
Dr Julian Goodare stands holding his hands in front of his waist looking at the audience. He is wearing a brown jacket and a black shirt.
Jean Edmiston stands in front of a Flipchart holding her hand in front of herself and she looks at the audience telling a story. The audience looks on with rapt attention.
Scott Richardson-Read and Amanda Edmiston are holding their hands in the air and laughing really loud. Scott wears a red jumper and Amanda wears a black top.
Jess Smith stands in front of a podium tapping either side of her forehead with her fingers. She is telling a story, her mouth slightly ajar. She is wearing a brown dress with interesting pattern on the front.
Scott Richardson-Read, Debbie Armour, Amanda Edmiston are sitting on the stage chatting and smiling. Scotts red jumper stands out against a dark brown backdrop. The tales of the Taibhsear album cover looms overhead projected onto a screen.
A man stands on the stage talking to the audience. His arms are spread in a wide gesture. A PowerPoint presentation behind him shows pictures of plants.
Jess Smith stands on the stage and talks to the audience. She is wearing a long green dress and gesturing with her hands.
People's laps in the audience, with Dreaming Bread & Skyrie Stanes programmes and notepads and pens.
Scott Richardson-read stands talking to Thomas at dreaming bread and Skyrie stanes event. Dr Julain Goodare looks on a little confused.
a cup of coffee sits next to the dreaming bread and skyrie stanes programme. Its white text and black background and is glossy.

Hi, Im Scott, I'm drawn to folklore, myths, stories and ways of being in the world and how they might be able to influence us today. I'm Part researcher, part folk practitioner, part academic and part advocate for the forgotten.

Leave me a note, let me know what you think!

[script_32]

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You may also like

Skelling, Skeklers, & Guising (2019)

Winter’s Last (2021)

Who are the Taibhsear Collective?

To Read

Sowans (fermented oats) – Scottish Traditional Food Recipe
Radicalising the Ancestral Scottish Diet
Tallow Rendering – for Cooking, Salves and Enfleurage

Sign up for my Newsletter

Instagram

© 2013 – 2024 All right reserved

Close