Scottish International Storytelling Festival is back, with this year’s theme, Lights Of The North, connecting the folklore of Germany, Norway, Finland and Iceland, with Scotland at the heart, bringing together some of leading voices from this nation and our northern neighbours. Over 11 days from 22 October to 1 November, you can expect storytelling, song, workshops and community events from the world's most northerly cultures. Think viking sagas, seafaring stories, traveller tales and selkie myths. There’s a packed programme at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, as well as events across the country, from Dumfries to Shetland. Here, Lauren McKay picks out five top highlights 

Selkie: Past, Present, Future

Niall Moorjani and Ailsa Dixon share a contemporary reimagining of Scotland’s selkie mythology, in an evocative performance that blends storytelling, live music and Orcadian folk song. Told through three queered selkie tales, the show proves traditional folklore has something vital to say about contemporary life.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Friday 24 October.

Da Winters O Shetland

Shetlander Marjolein Robertson brings her unique perspective to magical tales from her native islands. The storyteller and comedian captures the distinctive character and humour of Scotland’s most northerly islands gathered from books and Shetlander memories. Expect a hint of magic and humour.

Uyeasound Hall, Unst, Shetland, Friday 24 October; Hymhus, Bigton, Shetland, Saturday 25 October; Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Sunday 26 October.

Icelandic Tales

Master storyteller Hjörleifur Stefánsson shares stories from the magical highlands of Iceland, where locals mainly live in harmony with the Huldufólk (hidden people). Get a rare glimpse into the ancient Icelandic tradition of storytelling from one of the country’s leading lights.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Wednesday 29 October.

Storyteller: Martyn Bennett And The Travellers’ Stories

Pioneering Scottish musician Martyn Bennett's final album Grit drew deeply from the ballads of Scotland’s travelling community. This special evening celebrates his love of traveller culture and use of world music including Hindu Kali myths, featuring friends and those who continue to be inspired by his legacy.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Thursday 30 October.

Dazwischen

German storyteller Anna Lehr (above, picture by Jim Dunn) takes a look at birth, death and everything that lies ‘dazwischen’ (in between) for an atmospheric evening that leans into the eerie spirit of Halloween. Based loosely on the Brothers Grimm fairytale ‘Godfather Death’, it’s an exploration of fear, grief and reconciliation told through German songs, poems and puppetry featuring Death itself.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh, Friday 31 October.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival runs from Wednesday 22 October–Saturday 1 November; full details at sisf.org.uk