Myths and Tales of Ossian: The Shortbread Tin

 

Images of Ossian

Myths and Tales of Ossian

There is strong evidence that the tales of the Odyssey, are based on Greek myths and legends passed down the centuries. But was Homer ever a real person? The oral tradition. 

The tales and myths of Ossian by James Macpherson – were collated from many ancient Gaelic legends and stories.  But there are disputes over whether Ossian was ever a real person. 

At a time in the highlands when, after Culloden, the young Macpherson saw the outlawing of Scots language, music, dress and culture. These tales became popular with American presidents and European rulers and inspired the Romantic movement – he was the first Scotch Bard.

The Shortboard Tin - Is a new theatre production for the National Theatre of Scotland and explores the story of James MacPherson, who in 1750, introduced Scotland and the world to Ossian, a third century bard. He collected all the old Gaelic stories, but it was later disputed who the Ossian bard really was. 

There are many other tales, legends and myths. The tale of King Arther or Robin Hood – were they authentic or real? There’s much dispute over where king Arthur actually lived – or who Robin Hood actually was – did he rob the rich to ever give to the poor.

King Arthur is a legendary king of England from medieval stories and folklore. He is known as a brave leader who fought enemies, gathered loyal heroes at the Round Table, and ruled from the magical court of Camelot.

The Legend

• The Sword: Arthur pulled the magic sword Excalibur from a stone to prove he was the true king.
• The Wizard: He was guided by the wise and powerful wizard Merlin.
• The Queen: He married Queen Guinevere.
• The Knights: His brave fighters sat at a Round Table so no single knight was higher than the others.
• The Quest: His knights searched far and wide for the Holy Grail. 

 

 

Is He Real?   Historians cannot prove that King Arthur was a real person. Experts think the stories might come from an early 6th-century Celtic warrior who defended England against invaders, but the tales grew much larger over hundreds of years through poems and books. 

 

• Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake
• Sir Lancelot and the fall of Camelot
• Real places in Britain linked to the Arthurian legend

Also - Robin Hood is a legendary outlaw of English folklore. He was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. He may have fought in the crusades. His lands may have been taken by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, who assists King John.. He may have robbed the rich to give to the poor. His lover maid Marion,  

AC Grayling For the People EIBF 2026

AC Grayling gave an impressive and memorable talk at the book festival, on his book For the People – on how democracy is under threat today by the forces of authoritarianism, election interference, and loss of faith in our institutions. And on how we can all help to protect the value of the liberties of democracy. 

 

“Inequality is toxic.”

Democracy defends civil liberties, freedom of speech and the rule of law. In the 90s we thought we’d moved forward from fascism and we became complacent. That Donald Trump became the US president with his all felonies, is deeply troubling. No one is above the law. There is the Far Rights push back against liberal ideas, 

He spoke of Abraham Lincoln’s famous short speech at Gettysburg, ‘Government of the people, by the people, for the people.’ But who are the people he asked? Alexander Hamilton’s – the Electoral College was supposed to be a barrier to protect democracy.

At the Federal level, democracy is filtered out by the first past the post voting system – which can mean getting elected with 11 out of 100 votes. It means that 37% of votes can lead to a huge majority. There is an urgent need to look at the, both here and in the US electoral system. The House of Representatives, which is elected every two years, means they are constantly electioneering. There are two senators for each state – with a small caucus, which leads to very conservative views and is a huge drag on progress.

America is run by two parties under control of Big Money, and its all about buying seats. What will happen with Crypto? The 2^nd amendment to bear arms, was brought in back 250 years ago when it took ages to load a musket – but now?

There’s been a huge increase in inequality. A millionaire in time means 2 weeks. A billionaire in time means 32 years. The deregulation of the early 90s has meant inequality is growing. Scandinavia, with is high tax regime are investing in people. and some fairness in society. Dictators hollow out the democratic institutions and weaponise social media. All the corruption, with structures being manipulated.

“I want ‘unity’ not harmony.”

“Every time we do nothing we give ground”  …”We must keep resisting – and not accepting – and the reasons why. Defend and exchange ideas.”  We must all make a contribution, we’ve become complacent. In 1943, after the ruins of Europe and all the pain and suffering – we valued human rights and the rule of law. But now the left are fragmented. Grayling said we need root and branch change for a new constitution.

On an optimistic note Grayling said, “Dark times are times of opportunity”

(He also asked - How much water is imported to the UK – 70% - in the frim of fresh fruit and veg form countries with no water. 

Anthony Grayling is a British philosopher and author. He was born in Zambia and Malawi.From 1919 to 2011, he was Professor of Philosophy at at university London. In 2011 he became the first Master of new college of Humanities (now Northeastern University London). He is also a supernumerary fellow of st Anne’s college, Oxford. 

Grayling is the author of about 30 books on philosophy, biography, history of ideas, human rights and ethics. including The Refutation of Scepticism (1985), The Future of Moral Values (1997), Wittgenstein (1992), What Is Good? (2000), The Meaning of Things (2001), The Good Book (2011), The God Argument (2013), The Age of Genius: The Seventeenth Century and the Birth of the Modern Mind (2016) and Democracy and its Crisis (2017). Grayling was a trustee of the London Library and a fellow of the World Economic Forum, and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Society of Arts. For a number of years he was a columnist for The Guardian newspaper, and presented the BBC World Service series Exchanges at the Frontier on science and society.

Elif Shafak inspired at EIBF 2026

 “Storyland is my home “-  and the importance of the oral tradition. 

 

Rosie Goldmsith ably chaired her chat with British Turkish novelist Elif Shafak-  on her long and illustrious career, her 21 books of both fiction and non-fiction and growing up in a divided Turkey. 

 

This was an illuminating and challenging conversation with such a highly respected author. Shafak writes on human rights, freedom of speech and of how we must celebrate diversity. She writes in both English and Turkish. They discussed her thirty years of writing, on identity, freedom, politics and culture and her 21 books. Elif studied political science, philosophy and history. 

She spoke of how much books change us: books were another ways of existing, to consider the possibilities and connect with otherness. Elif has lived in many different countries.

BOOK *  There are Rivers in the Sky                    

Elif first published at 17 and she spoke of the pull of story telling. She said that Turkish is multi-layered – we should use both old and new words. In Turkey Persian and Arabic words were taken out. (much as Scots and Scots Gaelic was banned here)

If we leave our comfort zone our mind is nurtured. We must not be pushed into boxes. We should journey into other realms – and dismantle glass walls. There is a collective amnesia in Turkey (that sounds like Scotland also!), with nostalgia for the great empire. Minorities are enriching, with multiple identities – with bigger circles, regions, artists circles – and with one human race. multiplicity. Certain sense of loss.

Istanbul is her great love  - “I carry Istanbul with me'  Shafak left Istanbul after a controversy over her books and views. She said there are multiple Istanbul’s – where is home, where is exile? She feels very connected to Turkish culture, but not to the politics. She said we must appreciate the questions, and the importance of the silences. Burned stories in daylight.  

“Prose is like poetry – how language shapes us….English gives me cognitive dissonance”

Elif is now eighteen years in London. She spoke of how place shapes us – and that her children have friends of all religions, and diversity. And that Turkey doesn’t appreciate its diversity. 

BOOK * Three daughters of Eve

Elif was brought up by her grandmother and learned folktales, oral culture, lullabies, superstitions. She was both restricted and resilient. Elif spoke of the importance of the “Love with water families, who witness our journeys.”  Of faith and love.

“People who are certain of the truth scare me.” This is an age of anxiety – everyone is struggling. “We need to sit down and reassemble ourselves.”  We need to slow down, the world is spinning. And Trump’s calling people “losers” – there is no such thing.”  She spoke of the polarization and suffering today..

BOOK *Alternative history of Gustave Flaubert – Creativity in a time of chaos. 

She is influenced by both Middle eastern culture and European novel. There is no knowledge of Roman empire in Turkey, Elif said inter-cultural dialogue was important. 

Elif Shafak has published 21 books, including 13 acclaimed novels, and been translated into 58 languages. Following a sold out event discussing There are Rivers in the Sky in 2024, today’s special celebratory event sees Shafak – a powerful advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of speech – reflects on her rich career to date, what it means to be a truly global author and citizen, and the impact of putting her personal and political beliefs into tangible action. 

Human rights  Shafak's novels have explored human rights issues, particularly those in Turkey. She has said: "What literature tries to do is to re-humanize people who have been dehumanized ... People whose voices we never hear. That's a big part of my work".  Specific topics have included persecution of Yazidis, the Armenian genocide  and the treatment of various minorities. 

Shafak is an advocate for freedom of expression. While taking part in the Free Speech Debate, she commented: "I am more interested in showing the things we have in common as fellow human beings, sharing the same planet and ultimately, the same sorrows and joys rather than adding yet another brick in the imaginary walls erected between cultures/religions/ethnicities." 

She is best known for her novels, which include The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, Three Daughters of Eve, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, and The Island of Missing Trees. As of 2025, her work had been translated into almost sixty languages, and nominated for several literary awards. She has been described by the Financial Times as "Turkey's leading female novelist", with several of her works having been bestsellers in Turkey and internationally.

EIBF Challenges us 2026

 

This years EIBF theme is "Changing your Mind"  It’s a profound and wide ranging question – how do we find common ground – commonality? If one side uses banal slogans that will not move any conversation forward.

A positive are festivals, which can bring diverse people together to have explorative, informed conversations. Reading books is one of the best ways to understand different experiences, to learn empathy and expand horizons. 

Some excellent talks this year - Elif Shafak, AC Grayling, Colson Whitehead, Diana Galbaldon,

Plus 'Scotland of the World' –  with leading Scottish writers Ali Smith, Len Pennia, Kathleen Jamie, William Dalrymple along with international musicians, artists and performers. At Greyfriars kirkyard.

 

Expanding horizons matters greatly to changing your mind. Some of us have long held and entrenched views of the world. It can be very challenging to change our views. Some of us older folks view the world through an out-dated lens – stuck in the 80s or 50s. We must listen to younger people, or the wise academic, or pay attention to the arts. Creative people often hold deep insights.

 

Try to look at the world through a wider lens. Ignorance can hold us back and we must be open-minded to new ideas, to new conversations and to new perspectives, and to different cultures.

And on the subject of Scotland’s Self determination – this is about how we can improve democracy and better media for Scotland - and not about nationality or being British or Scottish.

As the sun goes down on the festivals for 2026, I’m always filled with a sense of loss and nostalgia – over the many unforgettable and fun times I’ve enjoyed here Edina over the past twenty years. The performers, press and organisers are all packing up, a little exhausted now but also inspired.

 

HOPE!!

According to a new poll – festivals offer people hope.

Elif Shafak

AC Grayling

Alexander McColl Smith

Almost 600 writers from 41 countries gathered in Edinburgh 15–30 August to present 600 events spanning fiction, politics, science, history, music, and live performance in a 16-day curated programme.

At a time of intense polarisation and entrenched positions, our 2026 theme Changing Your Mind invited audiences to stay open and curious, championing deep listening and celebrating our capacity to evolve our thinking, informed by a range of reliable experts and diverse perspectives. The Book festival curated a programme of voices, experts, and ideas, to create space for informed, nuanced public conversation, and encouraged new and alternative thinking - a much-needed alternative to debate driven by reaction and polarisation.

Major public figures included former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, technology writer Cory Doctorow, best-selling author Michael Pollan, and award-winning poet Claudia Rankine, alongside leading writers from across the world. A landmark event of the bestselling writers of all time, John Grisham, and iconic Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin together on stage, crowning The Front List line-up at the McEwan Hall.

Other renowned fiction writers include Maggie O’Farrell, Ann Patchett, Ali Smith, Jenni Fagan, Colm Toíbín, Matt Haig, Louise Welsh, Nao-Cola Yamazaki, Candice Carty-Williams,Ben Lerner, and 2026 International Booker Prize winner Yáng Shuāng-zi

GrGREYFRIARS Kirk became a Book Festival venue, hosting Scotland to the World - a new series connecting leading Scottish writers Ali Smith, Len Pennie, Kathleen Jamie, and William Dalrymple with international musicians, artists and performers.· 

Diana Gabaldon

**EIBF TALKS 2026

Jimmy Wales   18^th august  -    The Seven Rules of Trust

As trust in billionaire-owned social media platforms continues to plummet, it’s astonishing to see how crowd-sourced knowledge bank, Wikipedia – once a byword for dubious accuracy – has built up its readers’ faith to become one of the internet’s most clear-sighted information sources. Maintaining confidence in a landscape of untruths is important to Wikipedia’s legendary founder Jimmy Wales. We’re thrilled to welcome this key figure of the online age to discuss his book The Seven Rules of Trust. Chaired by Heather Parry. 

 

Colson Whitehead – Forntlist – 21 August  -  Cool Machine

 is one of America’s most skilled and essential storytellers, holding the horrors of history in one hand and big-hearted humanity in the other. After consecutive Pulitzer Prize-winners, The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, he concludes his acclaimed Harlem trilogy with Cool Machine: a portrait of hustle in 1980s New York. Join Whitehead, who is uniquely qualified to parse America’s past and present, for an energising conversation on why we can’t move forward without looking back. Chaired by Samira Ahmed.

 

Oliver Bullough, Everybody Loves our Dollars

24^th August 2026    Venue T   5pm

Following his oligarch-busting Butler to the World, Oliver Bullough returns to hang the world’s dirty money out to dry. In Everybody Loves Our Dollars, Bullough suggests there’s never been a better time to be a criminal in the UK. Moving and hiding money couldn’t be easier, and despite efforts to legislate, it’s estimated as much as 5% of world GDP is on the grubbier side. This revelatory conversation brings a murky underworld into razor-sharp focus. Chaired by Paul French.

25^th August 2026, Kirsty Gunn, Alan Riach, and James Robertson: Scotland 1926

100 years ago, Scottish literature was crackling with new energy. In this lively panel chat, Kirsty Gunn, Alan Riach, and James Robertson revisit the Scottish Renaissance through landmark works including Hugh MacDiarmid’s A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle, the early work of Neil M Gunn (newly reissued this year), and other under-sung voices including Willa Muir and Helen Cruickshank. Deep dive into a remarkable literary moment and the writers who helped reshape Scotland’s imaginative life. Chaired by Linden Bicket. 

 

AC Grayling: For the People - 25^th August 

The great British philosopher and academic A C Grayling’s appearances are always an intellectual highlight of the Book Festival, as he turns his forensic, yet empathetic, gaze upon defining issues of our time. This year, Grayling addresses the urgent theme of his new book, For the People, exploring how the forces of authoritarianism, election interference, and loss of faith in our institutions threaten the collapse of democracy, while offering bold suggestions for its survival.

 

Jeremy Hunt: Can we be great again

A major figure in the previous Conservative UK Government, Jeremy Hunt has served as Chancellor and Foreign Secretary, and led the Culture and (controversial) Health briefs. His Can We Be Great Again? is a timely read in a world of shifting geopolitical faultlines. Rebutting the idea that the UK is in inevitable decline on the international stage, join Hunt as he sets out a new take on how our influence can be used to positively affect global democracy, migration, trade, and climate. Chaired by Peter MacMahon. 

 

28^th August 2026 – 3.15

Colm Tóibín – author of 12 books including the multi-award-winning Brooklyn – is one of modern Ireland’s greatest writers. He talks with Chris Power about his breathtaking new story collection, The News from Dublin, exploring the lives of those living far from home: from Galway to Barcelona, Enniscorthy to San Francisco, and beyond. This promises to be an illuminating conversation with a true master of the craft.

 “Our theme 'Changing Your Mind' speaks to the moment we're in. At a time when opinions seem increasingly polarised and online debate is so divisive, we're creating space for thoughtful, nuanced conversations - exploring the reasons for our increasing social and political divides, and how we might change each others' minds, or at least agree to disagree, more agreeably. We're also looking at the potential of the human brain to adapt and relearn, and at the unparalleled power of stories to change our thinking.    Changing your mind is a lifelong process of staying open to new ideas. By bringing amazing speakers and curious audiences together, around knowledge and perspectives that help us challenge our assumptions and see the world differently, we hope the Festival programme this year will help us gain a deeper understanding of both ourselves and each other.”   Director, Jenny Niven

Nile Rodgers

I have a great memory back in 2012, American legend musician of disco and awesome riffs – who has worked on songs for David Bowie, Diana Ross and more – 'Nile Rodgers' gave such an entertaining impromptu talk at the EIBF Spiegel tent one evening, after his book festival talk that day.  

International Authors at Edinburgh book festival

Joyce Carole Oates

Enua Ellams

Karl Ove Knausgaard

Edinburgh International book festival every year hosts many famous international writers, musicians, poets, politicians and more. 

Omar Musa

 Ocean Vuong

Ben Okri

Karin Altenberg

George RR Martin

Nile Rodgers