Storytelling
My storytelling career began in 1984 when I worked as a Community Librarian in Wolverhampton.
Moving to Scotland, my family’s homeland, in the late ‘80s, I developed my storytelling skills through theatre, dance, trapeze/circus skills, and community workshops & education. I became a professional storyteller for Glasgow Libraries in 1992.
Glasgow - Book Week Scotland - 2019
“Allison Galbraith is a fantastic storyteller who brings books to life with her animated retelling of a story. And a firm favourite with Wee Write and Book Week Scotland.”
Fiona Haddow, Reader Development and Literacies Officer @The Mitchell Library, Glasgow.
“Allison has shared her wonderful stories with our school and feedback from pupils and staff is always hugely positive. Allison’s storytelling sessions inspire the young writers in our school.”
Mrs Margot Millar, Head Teacher, Underbank Primary School.
Castlebank Park, Lanark. (Photo by James Marzella)
I Specialize in Scottish folk tales, environmental & outdoor stories and training, world wisdom tales, and working with vulnerable groups.
“Allison has a remarkable ability to reach and engage with all children and she is one of Scotland’s best outdoor storytellers. Allison brings together both traditional storytelling and nature to entertain, engage and educate children about the natural world.”
Emily Cutts, Director, The Children’s Wood, Glasgow.
‘Having Allison join us to tell stories in local nature reserves has enabled us to encourage people to positively engage with nature in a new and different way. She inspires people to share their experiences of wildlife, nature and folklore and intricately weaves their contributions into her tales.'
Sarah Burgess – Green Health Development Officer: Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire.
Photo : Abigail Howkins
Bothwell Castle 2022 Photo Scott Jones
Carrick House Care Home, Ayr
I love to share interactive and sensory stories with community groups, people living with dementia, asylum seekers, refugees, and people with learning differences.
“Allison’s storytelling sessions with groups of older people experiencing loneliness and isolation, are warm and nurturing. She uses great skill and imagination in her delivery and presentation, putting people at their ease and encouraging participation. Participants leave feeling uplifted and connected.”
Joan Black, Lifelong Learning Librarian, South Ayrshire Carnegie Library.
Our Area in the First World War - Grahamston & Falkirk. Calendar House. 2014.
I’ve developed numerous inter-generational projects, collecting oral histories, stories and folklore from people in the community and organisations.
My storytelling and expressive arts workshops have proved popular at major events, universities, conferences and festivals, including:
The Edinburgh Book Festival, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace, Celtic Connections, Scottish Poetry Library, National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scottish Natural Heritage - Climate Change Conference, Earth-Up - National Storytelling Network (USA) Storytelling and Health Conference (Wales), New Lanark World Heritage Site, Historic Scotland, RSPB, Wildlife & Woodlands Trusts, Glastonbury Festival, WOMAD, The NHS, STV, Channel 4 and The BBC.
In 2022, Scotland's Year of Stories and Storytelling, I led heritage storytelling walks, in Airdrie, for North Lanarkshire Libraries. The monthly walks through the Maggie Ramsay Woods were invigorated by the ever-changing flora and fauna of the different seasons. The stories of Maggie and Tam Ramsay grew with each telling as audiences shared their knowledge of the local myths, legends and history. The story of 'Maggie Ramsay: The Witch of Auld Airdrie' is in Lanarkshire Folk Tales (2021, History Press).
"Participants of all ages were engaged and inspired by Allison's wonderful storytelling and knowledge of the nature surrounding us as we walked the area where local legends abound."
Judy Maguire – Head of Community Libraries, North Lanarkshire.
We even made a film of the story with live music on the first of the story walks.
Link - https://youtu.be/ycRipdmlRDY
The Village Storytelling Festival commissioned me to present a live and digital storytelling performance at their 2022 Storytelling Festival in Glasgow. The show was called Nefarious Practices. This title was inspired by a line from the Maggie Ramsay story –' The church delivered a censure, ordering her (Maggie) to give up her 'nefarious practices'.'
Performed to a full house at Glasgow's CCA, with online viewers worldwide. After the performance, a live audience debate was hosted with an invited panel, Mary Craig (Author/Historian) and Claire Mitchell QC- advocate for Witches of Scotland - a campaign group that secured an apology and pardon in the Scottish Parliament for all those historically accused of witchcraft.
Storytelling Videos
Telling Saving the Forest for Glasgow Science Centre, 2020.
Re-telling of Whoopity Stoorie a Scottish Folktale : The Good Wife of Tillietudlem. 2020.
I am on the Scottish Book Trust author’s database:
www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors/allison-galbraith
And the Scottish Storytelling Directory: