Our first session of October will have the theme, “Autumn/Fall”.
Come and join us to hear tales of the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness” or perhaps tell your own autumnal tale.
A warm welcome awaits in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, 7.30pm – 9.30pm.
Our theme this week was “Ochil Tales”. We met, as usual, in the cosy surroundings of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry.
Several of the stories told are well-known and much loved favourites of our members.
Our first tale of the evening was “Red Cap and the Smuggler”.
Secondly, we listened to an old folk song, “With God on our Side”, sung by one of our long-standing members.
“Davie Rae’s Wife” was the next traditional tale to be shared.
The penultimate offering was a story told many times within the family of another of our members, “Coalsnaughton Ghost Story”.
And finally we heard an original poem written by our resident poet, “The Ochils”.
As the nights begin to draw in, it was an uplifting and entertaining evening as usual.
Our next storytelling session will take place in our usual venue, The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Everyone is welcome, to tell a tale or just to listen.
The theme for the evening is “Ochil Tales”.
Our theme for the first storytelling session in our usual venue of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry of September was “Secrets and Lies”.
We began by sharing some secrets or lies of our own, which promoted lots of discussion and sharing of memories.
Our first story of the evening was a traditional Irish tale, “The Children of Lir”.
The second tale was “London again!”, a traditional Scottish story.
Next, we heard an original poem written by a long-term member of Hillfoots Tales, “Secrets”.
Our final offering of the evening was “The Husband Who Lied About his Happiness”.
It was another heart-warming evening which raised all our spirits.
Join us in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry from 7.30 – 9.30 for a heart-warming session of storytelling on the theme of “Secrets and Lies”.
Come along to tell a tale or simply to listen – everyone is welcome!
Our theme for this evening’s storytelling session in the convivial surroundings of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry was “Hero or Villain?”.
We began by sharing anecdotes about our own personal heroes or villains, which generated much discussion and laughter.
Our first tale of the evening was “Zeus and his Shenanigans”.
Next we heard a family story, “The Doc Leaf Poultice”.
We were lucky to hear not one but two self-penned poems from our long- standing members, “Last Summer” and “The Villains of Summer 2025”.
“The Dean of Dalmahoy” was our next story, set in Cambuskenneth Abbey.
Our final offering of the night was “hero Turned Villain”, a long tale about a fisherman.
Once again, it was a most enjoyable evening.
Our first storytelling event of the festival, on Thursday 14th August 2025, was a great success. Joanne and Eleanor brought local folklore to life and shared some traditional Scottish tales with an enraptured audience at Breathe Easy in Alloa.
Here are just a few of the many testimonials we received:
“Fab afternoon, loved the stories. Pleases return soon!”
“Really enjoyed the stories. The Hillfoots are so romantic!”
“Fascinating stories, especially the local ones.”
Our theme for our first meeting in August was “Flight of Fancy”.
We listened to the story of “Jack and the Witch’s Bellows”, one of many stories about the eponymous Jack.
Next we heard a story of a clever slave, “In a Box”.
After that, the true story of “The Invasion of the Caterpillars”, which took place in Clackmannanshire in 1937.
The fourth offering of the evening was an original poem written by our resident poet, “The Dream”.
Our penultimate tale was “The Firebird and the Wolf”, from Russia.
And last but not least, we were entertained by “The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship”.
We also enjoyed hearing about eventful air journeys that our members have experienced.
Hillfoots Tales are pleased to be kicking off our “Wild Hillfoots Community Storytelling Programme,” this Thursday 14th August 2025. This is the first in a series of community events we will organising over the next year throughout Clackmannanshire.
Please join us in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry, 7.30pm – 9.30pm for an evening of storytelling which promises to be thought provoking and entertaining.
Our theme for our first meeting in August is “Flight of Fancy”.
So come along to listen to our tales and perhaps even tell a tale of your own.
