Traditional Storytelling
Personal Profile:
Spinner o’ yarns and weaver o’ words, Paraig MacNeil delights in telling traditional tales with verse both traditional and original from Scotland and elsewhere. Paraig has an oral repertoire of around 500 tales on most topics of the Curriculum for Excellence and about the same amount of poems and songs both traditional and contemporary. Paraig is also the author of five books, mostly of original verse but based upon the traditional lore and in all of Scotland’s languages.
Spinner o’ yarns and weaver o’ words, Paraig MacNeil delights in telling traditional tales with verse both traditional and original from Scotland and elsewhere. Paraig has an oral repertoire of around 500 tales on most topics of the Curriculum for Excellence and about the same amount of poems and songs both traditional and contemporary. Paraig is also the author of five books, mostly of original verse but based upon the traditional lore and in all of Scotland’s languages.
Below, told by Paraig MacNeil, scotsbard, is a tale of George Buchanan, The King's Fool, who from the days of King James V of the Scots (Stirling Castle), Mary Queen of Scots and James VI/I is tutor to all of those monarchs but he is also a renowned great wit.
Just click on the video, watch and listen.
Just click on the video, watch and listen.
Current rates: Negotiable
no audience number limitation.
Portable amplification system (with added sound effect option).
Full public liability insurance.
Also:
Registered author, storyteller for Live Literature (since 1993)
no audience number limitation.
Portable amplification system (with added sound effect option).
Full public liability insurance.
Also:
Registered author, storyteller for Live Literature (since 1993)
Watch and listen to a small sample of traditional storytelling:
In schools traditional storytelling and related verbal art-forms have a long proven record in raising attainment. The benefits are manifold. See testimonies and scroll down to schools.
See also: Education, schools:
Biblical Accounts
The record of the divine creation, THE THREE TREES:
The TREE fall of man, the TREE redemption of man, and the TREE of the regeneration of man.
Tales for Wee Ones
Interactive stories and simple songs/rhymes with trumb (Jew's Harp),i of animal moral tales, elves, tailors, Jack tales etc. 4-7 year old
"Every morning Fringe event should be as enchanting as this.......woven by the human voice can only restore faith...if they are skillful as Paraig and Alison Millen who performed early this week, there will be plenty spell-binding accounts of little people, giants......".
Roberta Mock, 'The Scotsman' reviewing the Edinburgh Fringe '92' children's morning - Netherbow Theatre.
For older to adult:
Tales of Ancient Heroes
Tales illuminating the coming of the original elite legendary warlord order of the first Scots coming from Ireland, with many place names, genealogies, clan origins, proverbs, lays and other verse.
"Paraig MacNeil ......Whistle and clarsach by Norman Chalmers.....these Bards take us on a tour of Scotland's past. Where legend and myth can join with humor and gentle wit to create a special magic".
(Joy Henry -The Scotsman -review for Edinburgh International Festival 1993)
The Wars of Independence
William Wallace and Bruce, other heroes, legends of the Stone of Destiny, Thomas the Rhymer, based on 'Blind Harry' with Scots song. Forget the 'forensic fixations'. Enjoy!
"The most skilled comtemporary interpreter of Blind Harry's work (The Wallace) is Paraig Macneil of Dunblane and the method by which he performs is akin to the storytellers in the cafes of Alexandra, Egypt, who still recount the great battles and military feats of ancient times, beating the tables with sticks at appropriate intervals, and punctuating the narrative with song"
Dr. Elspeth King - Page XX - introduction of Blind Harry's "The Wallace" - 1998
The Clans
With genealogies, tracing back to the common Irish and in a few cases, Norwegian ancestor, cairns, place names, incitements, battles, elegies, proverb, premonition, castles, dream symbols, of sea and land. Can cover most of the clans.
"I was fortunate to listen to part of your performance at Doune Castle"
(Nick Finnegan -Historic Scotland Events Manager -June 94)
Tartan
There are no generic tales as such as to how tartan came to Scotland or of so called clan tartans, except in fakelore. Although there are few genuine traditional tales that mention tartan, most lore concerning tartan exists richly in traditional song and poem, whether they be spinning, weaving, waulking songs or incitements in the panegyric code. The Bards and minstrels illustrated the importance of the Breacan or tartan as the dress of the warrior Gael and latterly symbolic of the Jacobites dispelling all the fabricated history, borne of commercial and military expediency. Demonstrations of how the old plaid or feile-mor is worn and its versatility, I can provide required.
" He wore costumes which looked the part and which were explained in detail to the children. His delivery was excellent and the children enthralled" The Times educational Supplement "Star Turns" - June 1997 (Madderty Primary, Perthshire)
The Jacobites
Their dress, weaponry and society in story and songs with refrains for all to join in with.
"...it was really entertaining. I Iiked both stories and songs and we think you are the best...."
Jason Forbes, Pupil, Parson's Green Primary School, Edinburgh - Jacobite Project
Pipers and Pipe songs
Castles, salutations, battles, drovers, smugglers, the cry on the mountain, the piper's warning, caves, cairns, emigrations, bird song, etc.
"Paraig MacNeil is the amiable host, with a fine Gaelic voice. The indomitable Willie McPhee plays the small pipes.......There is refreshing air of unforced authenticity about this show.....
Paul H. Scott - The Scotsman 'The Spirit of Scotland Programme, Fringe '93' - Malt Whisky Vaults.
The Highland Clearances/Emigrations/Pioneers of the New World
The sad period in Highland History, epic journeys and also the wit of the Highlander to survive no matter what, with song and sayings these events.
Our Norse Heritage
Seals, Sea- Folk, kelpie etc
Environment
Tales of Birds, foxes, rabbits, trees, snow, the moon, the colours and sense of nature with bird vocables and weather songs.
For more information see The Ashden Directory
Wit and Wise Fools
Moral legacy against judgementalism.
"Paraig MacNeil and Alison Millen...Their rapport with their audience was total. "..''
(Mario Relick- The Scotsman, review for "Fringe" 1994- Netherbow. 'Heads you loose, Tales I win'
Workshops for Beginners and Advanced
Tales with simple keys of memory recall/sign-posts from 10 years old to adult age and advanced stories with resourcing for older ones and adults.
"Three poorish pupils on paper remembered the whole story and had a sense of achievement. Older pupils P6/7 especially enjoyed it"
St. Katherine's School, Fife, National Trust for Scotland 'King to Collier' project 2001.
Food, drink and Hospitality
Ancient Scottish hospitality with food and drink like that of the old French. Ideal for your hotel. Perfect for a wine or whisky evening with drinking songs and 'Whisky Lore'.
" After a roaring welcome on the pipes from Hamish Moore. Bard-Like Paraig MacNeill led us into an evening of Oral mastery with Gaelic fantasy". (Alan Paul of the Scotsman reviewing the Scottish Malt Whisky Showcase 1994" )
Seasonal Tales for all, short and tall and Your
Special Occasion
For Winter, Summer Autumn and Spring, Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings etc.
Tales, verse (original for the occasion if need be) and programmes tailored according to your need. These can work with cross-media as well as cross-cultural collaboration.
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Please note: Would all those booking or engaging Paraig MacNeil, please note that since he is a tradition-bearer, who endeavours to represent his national culture in an authentic manner, to show respect for it, and its time-honoured values.
