Every picture may tell a story but every historic building has a veritable book of tales to tell.

So Historic Scotland – with 345 heritage properties in its care – boasts a rich source of material for storytelling events at the agency’s sites throughout the country.

Last year, this led Historic Scotland’s Interpretation team to join forces with The Scottish Storytelling Centre and establish the StoryExplorer project. This involved organising a series of lively storytelling sessions between July and October at a number of Historic Scotland sites throughout the country. And following this, the 2007 StoryExplorer programme of events has just got underway.

Historic Scotland interpretation manager Sheena Garden said: “Our aim in setting up the StoryExplorer sessions was to provide an imaginative, enjoyable and enlightening experience for visitors which helped to bring the history and stories of our sites to life.

”We wanted to maximise the potential of storytelling as a medium for interpreting aspects of a site’s history. The popularity of the StoryExplorer sessions last year demonstrated how successful this approach is.”

“We’re delighted this year to be building on the success of our 2006 programme and giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the StoryExplorer experience. The sessions involve local storytellers whose expertise enables them to highlight the colourful tapestry of tales each site offers. Some of the stories have been passed down the generations and this initiative keeps that oral tradition alive.”

“Storytelling is an art all ages can enjoy and, based on the feedback we receive, our visitors certainly feel that it not only helps bring the story of any historic site to life but also adds considerably to their appreciation of it.” This year’s StoryExplorer sessions – which are suitable for adults and children and cover a wide range of historical themes from the Wars of Independence in the Highlands to the Scottish Renaissance, and the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Borders - take place at a range of wonderful Historic Scotland sites.

The first sessions took place recently at Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban, Smailholm Tower near Kelso and Balvenie Castle at Dufftown. Other venues include Corgarff Castle near Strathdon and Dun Carloway Broch on Lewis.

All sessions – which are included in the admission price for the sites - take place between 1pm to 3.30pm with story-telling sessions throughout this period. Full details on the programme and venues can be found at www.historic-scotland.co.uk