Held each October across Stromness, Kirkwall and the North Isles, the Orkney Storytelling Festival brings together storytellers, musicians and audiences in a series of small, close-knit gatherings. Events include guided walks, afternoon sessions in island kirks, and evening performances in community halls. The programme features a mix of local Orcadian voices and guests from elsewhere in Scotland and beyond. Ferries connect the islands throughout the weekend, with some events timed around crossings. Stories range from folklore to memory to the quietly surreal. Venues are informal and often familiar. In most places, there’s time for a cup of tea before it begins.