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Join Edinburgh Shoreline and Emma Dymock – lecturer and tutor from Edinburgh University Celtic & Scottish Studies – for a fascinating exploration of the stories, language and mythology of the Firth of Forth as part of our Shifting Baselines project.

Funded by FORTH2O, the Shifting Baseline project is a series of events taking place across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Fife, bringing together citizen science, creativity and storytelling to explore how our relationship with the coast has changed over time and how it might continue to change in the future.

During this event, storyteller Emma will guide us through the rich folklore, history and Scots language of our coastline. Together we’ll discover how older stories often portrayed the sea as a place of safety and connection, while later tales reveal changing perceptions of danger and uncertainty. These shifting narratives offer a fascinating parallel to the environmental changes we see today, including the impacts of climate change.

We’ll explore lost Scots words, local myths and legendary beings such as selkies, asking what these stories can teach us about our connection to the coast. As we look to the future, we’ll consider how we might create a new mythology for the Firth of Forth. One centred on restoration, resilience and hope. If selkies are creatures of shapeshifting, how might we, as communities, transform our relationship with the sea so that wildlife can once again thrive in cleaner, healthier waters?

Whether you’re interested in local history, folklore, language, nature or simply enjoy a good story, this welcoming event offers a chance to see the Firth of Forth through a new lens while sharing your own thoughts and experiences.

There will be a break for coffee and lunch at around 12:00pm. We’ll provide tea, coffee, biscuits and a light lunch. A vegetarian option will be available, but if you have any other dietary requirements, please bring your own lunch.

What to bring:

· Lunch, if you have any special dietary requirements.

· An item, photograph or other object that has a connection to the water or coastline and that you’d like to share with the group as part of the day’s discussions.