"Is Tales at Martinmas really one of the best storytelling festivals in the Universe?"  Artist and wordsmith Ian Stephen, a guest in 2003, reckoned it can at least make a claim: "Just the right scale... and has a clear link with the culture of its Highland setting".  (See HI~Arts on-line journal, December 2003.)

From 11th-14th November you can make up your own mind during the sixth Festival, with events coast to coast in: the Tarbat Discovery Centre, Portmahomack; the Macphail Centre, Ullapool; the Perrins Centre, Alness; and the Ben Wyvis Hotel, Strathpeffer.

The 2004 Festival offers  a unique chance to hear stories from both the Norse and Gaelic traditions, with special guests Jerker Fahlström from Sweden, who performs in authentic Viking costume, Cathy Mary MacMillan from Lewis, Tom Muir from Orkney and Lawrence Tulloch from Shetland.    Local storytellers from Inverness, Ross-shire and Sutherland will contribute tales, tunes and songs and anyone is welcome to join in at the Storyround on the afternoon of Saturday 13th, in Alness, or at the Family Ceilidh on Sunday 14th in Strathpeffer.  All events are family-friendly and there are also special sessions  for younger children, for Gaelic speakers and for everyone who loves a spine-tingling ghost story!

Pick up a full programme at venues, libraries or Council service points or from Community Learning & Leisure in Dingwall (tel: 01349-868486).

Tales at Martinmas 2004 is part of The Merry Dancers Storytelling Project, a 3-year initiative by The Highland Council in Ross and Cromarty, supported by RACE and made possible by a generous award from the Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund.