STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 19TH AUGUST 2026
Our second session in August will be held in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry from 7.30-9.30pm. The theme for this session is “Heroes and Heroines”. Our regular storytellers have a feast of stories and poems to share on this and other subjects. Come and tell your own tale, or come to simply listen – we always appreciate an audience.
Please join us for what is always an entertaining and thought-provoking evening.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2026
Our theme of “Missing” provoked much discussion in our warm-up, where the question, “Which childhood place do you miss?” was asked. Several members described their granny’s house in vivid detail, mentioning favourite objects.
We listened to a Norse myth, a tale of a troll from Iceland, a tragic true report of women who go missing along a highway in Canada and a personal story, “The Missing Piece”. And one of our newest members told her first ever story to the group, about a midwife and the fairy folk.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 5TH AUGUST 2026
The first storytelling session for Hillfoots Tales in August will be held in the Alloa Community Shed (see above for the address) with the theme of “Missing”. Please come along and join us if you have a story, a poem or even a song to share on this, or indeed any other topic. A warm Alloa welcome awaits.
Tea and coffee provided.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 15TH JULY 2026
Our theme was “Island Tales” and we listened to stories from Crete, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and beyond. We also heard an original poem from one of our longest serving storytellers, “My Wee Dream Holiday” . Due to the holiday season, our numbers were fewer than usual, but that gave us more time to blether and catch up, sharing personal anecdotes about islands we’ve visited and more besides.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 1ST JULY, 2026
We had another entertaining and thought-provoking evening in the Community Shed, Alloa, on the theme of True Stories. We heard tales of sibling rivalry, encounters with bees, poems of a lost Scottish princess and memories, and we listened to the story of Ella Christie, female adventurer and founder of the Japanese Garden at Cowden. And our Lynne told her first ever tale!
Much laughter was shared on what turned out to be a dreich and rainy summer evening.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 1ST JULY, 2026
Our first session in July will take place in The Community Shed, Marshall house, Alloa FK10 1AB, at our usual time, 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Our theme is “True Stories”.
Why not join us for an evening of tales from near and far, of people and places, perhaps tragedies and celebrations. You might be tempted to share your own true story but listeners are also welcome.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 3RD JUNE, 2026
Our next session will take place in The Community Shed, Alloa at the usual time (see above). Our theme is “Tales from the Road”.
So if you have a story, a poem or even a song to share on this loose theme or indeed any other theme, please join us for an enjoyable and often thought-provoking tales and conversation.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 20TH MAY, 2026
There was an excellent turn-out for our recent session, consisiting of long-term members and new attendees, who came to listen. Tales were told from Palestine, Ancient Greece, Coalsnaughton and even Tesco in Alloa! These stories featured genies, djinns, monsters, wee folk, a magical coo and, of course, ordinary folk. We also heard an opriginal poem and one of our newest tellers made her debut, reciting a Burns poem.
Yet another fantastic evening of good company, terrific tales and pithy poems to warm the heart, provoke discussion and cheer the soul.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 6th MAY 2026
We had a full house once again at our first May meeting in the Community Shed, Alloa, when our theme was “The Wee Folk”.
We listened to stories about Wee folk, or fairies, from Clackmannanshire to Tipperary to the Appalachian Mountains. We heard about Red Cap, Blue Jacket, the Fairy King and Queen. We heard of the good and bad deeds of fairies, of dances, smuggling and kidnapping. We heard a poem about how it feels to be small in stature and a true story from when one of our group was a wee boy.
Another enjoyable evening was had by all.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 15th APRIL 2026
We had a full house at our storytelling meeting with the theme of “Beltane”, with many stories and poems told – so many that it was a struggle to fit them all in!
From original poems about spring and family feuds to tales of hares, crabs, tramps and tailors, to traditional stories of the Scottish Queen of Winter, fairies and those who live alongside them, a most entertaining and enlightening evening was enjoyed by all.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 15th APRIL 2026
Our next meeting will be held in The Woolpack, Tillicoultry and the theme is “Beltane”.
Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.
Come and join us to hear stories, poems and possibly even songs around this theme. It’s sure to be a captivating evening.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 1ST APRIL 2026
An entertaining evening was had by members old, new and returning at the Community Shed, Alloa.
The evening began with the host, Oor Gail, sharing April Fools stories from 2026, then we warmed up by playing “two truths and a lie”.
We heard original poems and a well-known folk song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” as well as tales of Persephone, the origin of midges, “The Willow Tree”, “The Bluestone of Crail”, how the hare restored the sun to the sky amongst others.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 1ST APRIL 2026
Our next storytelling evening will take place in The Community Shed, Alloa (see address above) at the usual time of 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Our theme is “The Circle of Life”. Please join us to hear tales, poems and perhaps even songs based on this theme.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 18TH MARCH, 2026
Our theme for our next gathering is “Spring in Your Step”. We have a plethora of stories and poems to share on this loose theme, so please join us for an uplifting evening which is sure to make you feel ready for Spring. All are welcome to come and listen or perhaps tell your own tale.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 18TH MARCH, 2026
We had a healthy turn out for our most recent session which had the theme, “A Spring in your Step”. We heard an original poem, “A Spring in your Step”, tales of maidens, magic, mayhem and green mist, true tales, myths and legends.
As always, a most enjoyable evening was had by all in the welcoming environs of The Woolpack, Tillicoultry.
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY, 21ST JANUARY 2026
A warm welcome awaits you at our next session. The theme is ‘Burns, interpret as you like. Whether you have tales of burns, scalds, the little trickling burns or you may even want to recite a poem, sing a song by the Bard or just come along for the craic. It’s sure to be an entertaining evening. Hope to see you there.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2026
There was a fantastic turn-out of storytellers for our Burns themed evening. We were treated to stories, poems and even a song, from Robert Burns, Scotland and other countries.
Our first offering was a short poem by the Bard himself, “Naebody”, followed by a tale from Orkney, “The Mermaid Bride.” After that, we heard a recitation of “My Luve is Like a Red, Red Rose”, the second Burns poem of the evening. Next we listened to a Slavic tale of a strange forest creature, “The Leshy”.
The undoubted highlight came next, a thrilling telling of “Tam O’Shanter” by Robert Burns, recited by one of our newest members.
A story from Japan followed, “The Burning of the Rice Fields”. Then we were treated to a humorous Scottish song, “Johnnie Sands”. The penultimate story of the evening was “Agnes Maclehose” who was the inspiration for Robert Burns’ “Ae Fond Kiss”. The evening came to an end with a short tale from Gaza.
A wonderful time was had by all!
STORYTELLING SESSION: WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2026
A warm welcome awaits you at our next session. Our theme this week is “All at Sea”. Have you a story, poem or perhaps even a song featuring the sea, sea creatures, sailors or being confused? Join us to share or simply to listen. A warm welcome awaits!
STORYTELLING REVIEW: WEDNESDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026
We had our first meeting in The Community Shed on Wednesday. Thanks to Forth Valley Men’s Shed for making the cosy space so welcoming.
Our theme was ‘All at Sea’ and we had a number of fascinating contributions from Skye to Aberfeldy, to Ireland, to Staroven, Greece and many more.
No poetry this time but a lot of fun was had as usual. We’ll continue to meet here once a month and once a month in the Woolpack.
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.
STORYTELLING SESSION REVIEW: WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2025
Our final session of 2025 had the theme of “Heart Warming Yarns” which was well attended by members old and new.
We started the evening with a round of “Get to Know You Christmas Bingo” which was loads of fun and a great way to warm up for the evening ahead.
“The Icelandic Village”, a story from Iceland, was the first offering of the night.
It was followed by “The Hare and the Scarecrow”, a true cosy tale of Christmas kindness and magic.
Next, one of our resident poets shared her original poem, “Christmas Cheer”.
The fourth tale was “King of the Dwarves, or Silver Pinecones”, from the Harz Mountains in Germany. In this tale a mother is helped by the dwarves to bring her family out of poverty. Each storyteller present also received a hand crafted sparkly pinecone to hang on our trees.
The last story of the evening was “Paws”, a true tale featuring man’s best friend.
There then followed a host of anecdotes – some humorous, some thought provoking, some reminiscing of times past.
An evening to warm the heart indeed!