Biographical notes

Atop Ardfad castle on the Isle of Seil (West Coast, Argyll), Lorn and Muille (Mull) in the background.

I am one of only a few professional Seanachaidhean (Traditional Scots / Irish historical Storytellers) in Scotland. I have been practicing this ancient vocation for 8 years. My early life was growing up on the banks of Loch Lomond in a Glaswegian family of Scots and Irish descent. I quickly realised that music was my love, perhaps influenced by my maternal grandfather who was a piper and mandolin player. From Scotland the family lived all over the UK, much of the time in Cymry (Wales), where I learned a little Welsh.

While at university, I delved further into my culture's music, through folk guitar, Bodhràn and the Border Ballads - long story-like pieces dating from the 14-1700s. But in hindsight, I drifted away from my 'bloodline', as youth often do, into modern and academic music, and into the music industry. After a number of years in modern music, I decided to tour Scotland as a cure for the music industry, giving up home and many possessions and taking to the road on a 30 year old push bike. Thereby, I gained an intimate view of Scotland's West Coast, like reuniting with a lost love, remembering the stories told to me of the places by my mother.

I remained a traveller for 5 years, covering most of Britain, Europe and California, picking up Tales at campfires along the way. One day I'll write a book about the adventures I had, if only to read it in my old age and laugh."

During my time as a traveller my love for Folk Song and Ballads grew. I would dig out of archives the older versions of these ballads and their historical story. Around campfires and at gatherings I'd tell the story as introduction then sing the ballad. After a while, the intro got to be longer than the ballad, so I realised I was a storyteller! I still sometimes sing songs as part of the cèilidh. Having expanded my interest out to Legends, Myths, Folk Tales, mostly Celtic, but also those from the native people's of the cold northern latitudes, the Saami, the Innuit, Chuchki.

I began to realise that the old Folk Tales had a life of their own, like living beings. And that they fed me in some way, like food for my soul. I became more interested in the meanings behind the overt stories, the teaching aspects, the spiritual aspects. I realised, along with other writers, that a lot of the 'lost' Celtic Wisdom was in them.

About this time I took up training with the Ehama Institute of California, who are Keepers of the style of Earth Wisdom found amongst the indigenous people of America. Through this training, my understanding of my native Celtic Wisdom has been expanded.

I now live on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland, in Gleann Cille Mhàrtainn, Earra Ghàidheal - the Kilmartin Glen, Argyll

To learn more about Celtic Storytelling, visit the other website www.ansgeulaiche.co.uk