We will upload a video of the event soon, we wanted all of our community to see the event.

Untold Stories: Women’s Conversations, Brings Together Artists & Specialists for an Evening of Storytelling in Arbroath

Join us for a free evening of celebrating Untold Stories: Women’s Conversations on 28 March at 7pm at The Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath.  This event is part of the Arbroath 2020 Festival, and tickets can be booked here: HERE https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/untold-stories-womens-conversation-tickets-1983861814090?aff=oddtdtcreator

Hosted by Dundee & Angus Scots Scriever, Taylor Dyson, the evening brings together an inspiring panel of guest speakers:

The event will be supported by BSL interpretation by Lisa Li.

Untold Stories: Women’s Conversations explores how stories shape, inspire, and drive us through performance, experience and conversation. And why sharing unheard voices from Scotland and beyond matters now more than ever. 

Each guest’s work centres on amplifying stories from marginalised communities, celebrating voices that too often go unheard. Audiences can expect a lively, varied, and uplifting evening of performance, storytelling, and discussion. With the guests’ work spanning film, poetry, theatre, folklore, history, and speech and language.

The night will include individual presentations or performances from each guest, followed by an informal chat and an open audience Q&A.

Arbroath 2020+ celebrates culture as a powerful connector of communities – the Arbroath 2020+6 committee continues to create and support opportunities for creativity and cultural expression in the town. This year’s theme, “Untold Stories” invites a wide range of interpretations, from hidden histories and personal narratives to unheard voices and reimagined traditions. 

Created with, and inspired by residents, local partners, and grassroots organisations, the original 2021 festival included major artistic events, premieres and commissions across heritage, music, literature, and visual arts. New work in performance, art & design, and music by internationally renowned Scottish artists was presented alongside collaborative community projects that transformed the streets of Arbroath. 

Theme: Untold Stories 

Building on the legacy of the Arbroath 2020+ Festival – which celebrates culture as a powerful connector of communities – the Arbroath 2020+6 committee continues to create and support opportunities for creativity and cultural expression in the town. 

Our recent focus has included a vibrant programme in The New Scriptorium at Arbroath Abbey and the return of our iconic festival flags. This year’s theme, “Untold Stories” invites a wide range of interpretations, from hidden histories and personal narratives to unheard voices and reimagined traditions. We’re excited to see how creatives respond to and shape this theme. 

Created with, and inspired by residents, local partners, and grassroots organisations, the original 2021 festival included major artistic events, premieres and commissions across heritage, music, literature, and visual arts. New work in performance, art & design, and music by internationally renowned Scottish artists was presented alongside collaborative community projects that transformed the streets of Arbroath. 

Recent events in the New Scriptorium have featured storytellers Erin Farley and Jess Smith, and poets Shane Strachan and John Glenday, offering powerful reflections on identity, memory, and place. 

We believe that Traditional arts and folk arts would make a rooted next step for the development of Arbroath 2020+6’s programme and contribution to Angus’ Culture.  

At TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), they empower communities across Scotland to discover, develop, and practise their unique traditional arts and heritage in the context of daily life. 

TRACS is a co-operative network that champions the shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs, and indigenous languages. Together, they celebrate the local distinctiveness of Scotland’s places – our intangible cultural heritage. 

This partnership with Arbroath 2020+6 and hosts, Hospitalfield and Historic Environment Scotland, opens a new chapter in our work — exploring how traditional practices can uncover and share Untold Stories. For the successful candidates, there will be peer support available from within the TRACS network should they wish to draw upon it.   

We invite applications from artists in the TRACS community for a residency taking place in March 2026.  

The residency is designed for two artists working collaboratively, the selected duo will be hosted for a two-week residency responding to the theme of Untold Stories. 

This residency is designed for collaborative practice. We welcome applications from duos or two individuals who wish to work together, from any discipline, who are interested in creating jointly during the residency period. 

Working together is essential to this residency due to the nature of the studio space. The New Scriptorium is compact and cannot accommodate concurrent individual residencies, but it is a wonderful, focused environment for collaboration, exchange, and shared making.  

Residencies will be hosted at Hospitalfield House, alongside their Interdisciplinary Residency programme, providing time, space, and a supportive environment for reflection and creation. Residents will also have access to The New Scriptorium at Arbroath Abbey during opening hours – a space steeped in history and ideal for developing or presenting work. 

You may use the residency to develop an ongoing project or to begin something entirely new. We welcome diverse interpretations of the Untold Stories theme — from ancestral narratives and folk traditions to contemporary expressions of heritage, identity, and place. 

Dates: 23^rd March – 5^th April 2026  

Fee: £1,300 per person for a 2-week residency – this includes a lunch budget. 

Travel Budget: £150 per person 

Materials Budget: £150 per person 

Accommodation: Provided at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath. 

Workspace Access: Access to the New Scriptorium during Arbroath Abbey opening hours 

Open to UK-based artists working within the traditional arts (storytelling, music, song, crafts, etc.) 

Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to traditional arts and culture 

A clear interest in or connection to the theme Untold Stories 

A cover letter outlining why this residency is a good fit for your duo, how your work relates to the theme Untold Stories, and what you both plan to explore during your time in Arbroath.  Please format this as a written document rather than an email body, aiming for approximately 500–800 words.

A CV and evidence of your commitment to traditional arts – this would include a portfolio, recordings, documentation of past work, or written references 

Kristina Aburrow – Creative Coordinator, Arbroath 2020+ 

Rahel Levine – Residency Programme Manager,  Hospitalfield Arts. 

Steve Byrne – Chief Executive, TRACS 

We look forward to hearing from artists whose work contributes to the living traditions of Scotland — and who are inspired to uncover, reimagine, and share the Untold Stories of our communities and culture. 

Any questions or queries, please email info@arbroathfestival.com 

The Scriptorium, Arbroath Abbey
17 January & 24 January | 10.30–11.30

Set within the historic surroundings of The Scriptorium at Arbroath Abbey, these workshops invite participants to explore the ways stories are preserved, forgotten, or reinvented. Drawing on ongoing research into the Abbey and conversations with the local community, we are beginning to uncover remarkable figures and narratives—some drawn from recorded history, others from oral tradition, imaginative speculation, or the faint traces left by time. These sessions offer a rare chance to engage creatively with these emerging stories, while also developing your own.

Led by poet and playwright Rebecca Sharp, the workshops are designed for writers of all backgrounds and levels of experience. Whether you are taking your first steps into creative writing or are an established writer seeking fresh inspiration, you will find guidance, structure, and space to develop your ideas.

Across each one-hour session, Rebecca will introduce approaches to uncovering or inventing stories that deserve attention—those overlooked, hidden, marginalised, or entirely new. Participants are encouraged to arrive with a subject already in mind:

No prior knowledge or research is required, though simple notes or background information may be helpful if easily available. The emphasis is on creativity, exploration, and allowing the story to reveal itself.

Rebecca Sharp’s body of work spans poetry, theatre, interdisciplinary performance and research-led artistic practice. Her recent poetry collection Long Field Loop (Tapsalteerie, 2024) was longlisted for Scottish Poetry Book of the Year and examines cycles of personal and collective narrative—how stories shape us, and how we might reshape them in return. Her 2025 work Maiden Mother Mage, published by Matecznik Press and performed at both Culross Abbey and Glasgow Cathedral, reimagines the life of the 6th-century figure Thaney (later St Teneu or St Enoch), a woman historically marginalised yet central to Scotland’s cultural and spiritual lineage. You can learn more about her work at www.rebeccajoysharp.com.

Rebecca describes her practice as one of “renegade history”—excavating overlooked or obscured characters and asking what their stories illuminate in our present. Through poetry and creative writing, she invites participants to consider who gets to be remembered, how narratives are shaped, and what imaginative acts can uncover. These workshops extend that approach, encouraging you to become an archivist of the unseen and an inventor of the possible.

These workshops offer an opportunity not only to strengthen your creative practice but also to contribute to a collective act of storytelling rooted in the unique setting of Arbroath Abbey. We look forward to welcoming you and the stories you bring.

FREE Tickets available here – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-workshop-with-rebecca-sharp-tickets-1977268311747?aff=oddtdtcreator

CLOSING DATE HAS PASSED – UNTOLD STORIES: An Artistic Opportunity with The New Scriptorium, Arbroath Abbey 

Seeking an Artist or Artist Duo to Design and Lead a Youth Engagement Project in Arbroath 

Application Deadline: 6th October, 10 AM 
Fee: £2330 (inclusive of planning, delivery of up to six workshops, outcome and review) fee based on Scottish Artist Union rates. 
Travel Allowance: Up to £300 

Materials Budget : £600 
Workshop Timeline: Starting 20th October, concluding 10th November, with newspaper content produced by 28th November 

Location: 

The New Scriptorium is a dynamic space for writing, conversation, and the celebration of literacy, nestled within the inspiring grounds of Arbroath Abbey. Designed by artist Bobby Niven, this compact but vibrant bothy has hosted a rich tapestry of artists, writers, poets, and storytellers. Renowned artists such as Carys Boughton, Shane Strachan, and Maria Fusco have already worked within the Abbey’s grounds, creating connections and art that respond to this rich history. 

 In partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, we seek to extend this creative dialogue into the heart of the Arbroath community. 

The theme UNTOLD STORIES arises from our deep exploration of Arbroath Abbey’s history and the diverse voices of the people from Arbroath and Angus. Through research, we have uncovered the lives of remarkable individuals whose narratives have often been overlooked—stories waiting to be shared. This project aims to uncover more of these hidden stories, celebrating the often unheard voices of our past and present.  

We are seeking to appoint an artist, or a duo of artists, to engage with young people in a meaningful way. The ideal candidates will be passionate about fostering creativity, encouraging exploration, and helping students articulate their own stories through art. We are looking for individuals who are not only skilled in workshop facilitation but who can also nurture an environment where young people feel free to express themselves. Artists should be enthusiastic about engaging with young people in school settings, adapting quickly to group dynamics, and working with small groups of pupils (up to 10 students). Details of participating schools will be confirmed by 10th October. 

Workshop Specifications: 

Artistic Focus: 
The Untold Stories theme invites the exploration of individuals and narratives often erased from mainstream historical records, whether due to gender, cultural identity, or social standing. The project also offers the opportunity to dive into contemporary stories, uncovering the ‘Untold Stories’ of modern-day Angus. Through this lens, we wish to elevate the voices of the marginalized, the forgotten, and the underrepresented—whether through fiction or biography. The goal is to connect deeply with the community, and collaboratively create an artwork that honours these voices and stories. 

Creative Collaboration: 
The workshops will not only be a space for artistic creation but also for collaboration. The ideas and work produced by the young participants will shape the final outcome, which will take the form of a small newspaper. This publication will feature poems, short stories, visuals, and other creative expressions from the students, highlighting their personal interpretations of Untold Stories. 

Project Support: 
The New Scriptorium will also be available outside of allocated school hours for artists to gather, refine, and develop the content created during the workshops.  

A Museum Educator from Historic Environment Scotland will collaborate with you to provide historical context and ensure that the work produced is rooted in the cultural relevance of Arbroath Abbey and the surrounding community. 

Fee Structure: 

Application Requirements: 

Selection Process: 
Applications will be reviewed by a panel including Kristina Aburrow (Creative Project Coordinator, Arbroath 2020), Andrew James (Museum Educator, Historic Environment Scotland), and Blythe Stockdale (Local Historian, Arbroath 2020 Committee Member). The selection panel will take place on 8th October, with the first workshop to be held the week of 27th October. 

Access Considerations: 
We are committed to ensuring that all artists have full access to the space and support they need. Both the schools and the Scriptorium are fully accessible, but if you require additional support or accommodations, please detail them in your cover letter. 

We look forward to receiving your applications and to the creative possibilities this partnership will bring to life. 

Saturday 16th at 2pm the New Scriptorium will host local storyteller, Erin Farley. Join Erin Farley for a storytelling session exploring the land, sea, folklore and history of Arbroath and its hinterlands, through stories where supernatural creatures and fantastical events cross over into our familiar world.

Arbroath has such a rich history, with the Abbey, the coastlines and farming lands, there is a lot to discover. This is a free event but we would suggest booking a ticket – Storytelling with Erin Farley at The New

://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/storytelling-with-erin-farley-at-the-new-sciptorium-tickets-1076444236689?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*uw6vwc*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkyNjQxNTU4NS4xNzMwOTc0NTAz*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*MTczMDk3NDUwMy4xLjAuMTczMDk3NDUwMy4wLjAuMA..

The Scriptorium is delighted to host Jess Smith B.E.M., in collaboration with the Scottish International Storytelling Forum’s Ripple project, to share her captivating stories. Jess will enchant audiences with tales of the lives of travellers and her personal experiences, shedding light on the transient communities that once worked the Angus landscape and played a crucial role in shaping its future. Through her storytelling, we hope to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and untold narratives of these often-overlooked groups, offering a unique glimpse into their enduring impact on the region.

“My books relate to the Travelling people who once travelled the country telling stories, singing old songs and going lightly. I have a published trilogy of my early days residing in a bus, alongside parents and seven sisters. A novel of lost love during WW1 (Bruar’s Rest) , a collection of tales (Sookin’ Berries) and a book of factual history about the culture. I have had the pleasure of sharing my stories in Australia,Canada, Europe and New Zealand. My aim is to share within a gathering, a little from my own life story and a few old tales,  and sing a song or two.”

We will share this event via Eventbrite but if you are unable to do this, please email info@arbroathfestival.com and I will gladly add your name.

Jess’ website http://www.jesssmith.co.uk/

Scottish International Storytelling Forum https://www.sisf.org.uk/community-programme/

https://youtu.be/rsjPOQW1npU?si=SKpcGhzeSGlm9xOY

Lesley Harrison lives and works on the Angus coastline. In her poetry and prose she examines our location at the temperate edge of a much colder northern world, and our tentative human process of using language to build the place we live. Her recent collection, Kitchen Music (Carcanet/New Directions) is currently long-listed for the Highland Book Prize. Previous collections include Beyond the Map (Mariscat) and Disappearance (Shearsman), which follow the route of the North Sea whalers into the polar seas.Lesley Harrison lives and works on the Angus coastline. In her poetry and prose she examines our location at the temperate edge of a much colder northern world, and our tentative human process of using language to build the place we live. Her recent collection, Kitchen Music (Carcanet/New Directions) is currently long-listed for the Highland Book Prize. Previous collections include Beyond the Map (Mariscat) and Disappearance (Shearsman), which follow the route of the North Sea whalers into the polar seas.

During Lesley’s time at the Scriptorium she investigated waterways and the routes to these sites. She also created a bike route to locations the Abbey had ownership of locally, or impact with. Work will be created from a collaboration with the participants of this ride. But this is her initial work created in residence –

https://lesleyharrisonpoetry.wordpress.com/

For my Scriptorium project I intend to build on my previous work in Scots, balladry and unheard voices, but this time specifically focusing on Arbroath, spotlighting Scots and other languages spoken there today through community engagement. This will result in the creation of a series of new poems in response to my residency.

Through this work, I’m keen to highlight the poet Marion Angus who wrote in both English and Scots and who was similarly influenced by the ballad tradition. I’m also interested in exploring connections across the east coast as someone who was brought up in the fishing towns of Fraserburgh and Peterhead, and Marion Angus’s own journey along the coast given she lived in both Arbroath and Aberdeen, my current home city.

I’d be keen to host some kind of engagement with the community around Scots language today in Arbroath, as well as looking at the work of Marion Angus.

http://www.shanestrachan.com/

Special thanks to our partners – Scottish Poetry Library, Lakes International Comic Arts Festival