Lucky students graduate with first ever storytelling qualification

A storytelling session

By Oliver Farrimond

ONCE upon a time … happy students from a Midlothian college were left celebrating winning the first ever qualification of its kind in Scotland – in storytelling.

Newbattle Abbey College, which specialises in adult learning, teaches the 10-month course to students to use at work jointly with the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

With backgrounds in tourism, education and social care, graduates can either bring their skills back to their day-to-day work, or join more than 100 PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLERS already working across Scotland.

Spinning a yarn is an ancient art and many traditional Scottish folk tales are passed down through word of mouth.

51-year-old Lyndsay Weir, from Glasgow, was asked to participate in the course while working as a Young People’s Officer.