Edinburgh Song Session

The Edinburgh Song Session is back at The Canons Gait on Sunday 15 November, from 3pm to 6pm. It's an open group that meets once a month, and the format is as straightforward as it sounds: people take turns sharing songs, mostly from the Scottish traditional background, though other genres are welcome too. Anyone there can sing, lead a song, or offer a tune, a poem or a short story, and visitors are welcome whether they come to take part or just to listen.

This particular session is held jointly with the local branch of the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA). Because of that, it often features songs by Hamish Henderson, the Scottish poet and song-collector, and frequently marks Armistice Day. The session is run by the Scottish Storytelling Centre and forms part of the Carrying Stream Festival, so it sits within a wider run of events rather than standing on its own.

If you've never been, it's a laid-back afternoon. The focus is on the sharing rather than a formal performance, and since it's an open group, the songs change depending on who shows up. You can spend the whole three hours just listening if you fancy it, or step in with something of your own if you're feeling up to it.

It's free to attend, and you'll find it at The Canons Gait, 232 Canongate, in Edinburgh Old Town (EH8 8DQ). The session runs from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday 15 November.