Join us for an evening of whaling history, storytelling, community creativity, and refreshments at the Scottish Fisheries Museum.

May Day Garlands: Whaling, Memory, and Maritime Traditions

Discover how Scottish whaling crews marked the start of summer, view handmade garlands inspired by historical practices, and enjoy storytelling that brings the past to life.

Asha Hornsby (University of St Andrews) will share insights from the diaries of Scottish seafarers, exploring the customs and rituals that helped whaling crews mark the changing season while far from home in Arctic waters. Storyteller Jan Bee Brown will share a new tale inspired by seafarers’ diaries from Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

The garlands on display have been created by members of Meeting Centres in St Andrews, Edinburgh, Montrose and Dundee — community spaces supporting people living with dementia and those close to them. Inspired by maritime traditions, the makers have brought together historical stories with their own experiences, memories, and creative responses.

Programme

6.00 pm – Complimentary drinks reception and exhibition viewing

6.30 pm (approx.) – Welcome, talk by Asha Hornsby and storytelling by Jan Bee Brown

Afterwards – Informal discussion and conversation about heritage, creativity and community, with refreshments and a further opportunity to view the garlands

Further information

Parking is available opposite the Museum (free from 6 pm), with additional parking available nearby. For further accessibility information, please visit the Scottish Fisheries Museum website.

Image Credit: Aly Wight

Description supplied by the event organiser.