A flight through the stories and songlines of Scottish history, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’
Beneath the surface of the Scotland you think you know—kilts, castles, tartan and mist—lies
a deeper story waiting to be told. Scotland Unsung, a new solo show that premiered at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival by acclaimed folk singer and storyteller Kirsty Law, invites you to hear that story in full voice.
At once haunting and hopeful, Scotland Unsung is a rich tapestry of traditional song,
folklore and contemporary insight. Law introduces us to Scotia—a character that travels and shifts through time, place, class and gender - inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Orlando.
As Scotia moves through different moments in Scotland’s past, she brings with her stories that
challenge the dominant narrative: queer desire, women’s rebellion, and an interrogation of Scotland’s supernatural myths.
Far from a nostalgic trip, this is a reclamation. Law uses folk tradition not as a museum
piece, but as a living archive—a way to tell difficult truths, create safe spaces, and explore
Scotland as a place of radical ideas, resilience, and transformation.
A show made up entirely from Scots traditional tales and songs - like you’ve never heard.
Kirsty Law is an acclaimed Scottish queer folksinger and songmaker, theatremaker and
storyteller. From a background learning directly from some of Scotland and Ireland’s great tradition-bearers including Sheila Stewart, Sheena Wellington, Cathal McConnell and Margaret Bennett, she has gone on to explore all that being a ‘folksinger’ can mean, from making storytelling theatre using ancient material, to albums dubbed by Record Collector Magazine as ‘folk art-pop’.
"Very refreshing to get outside the usual repertoire of Scots Song. Kirsty has found some gems in the archives.
Her fabulous voice, sensitivity and stagecraft bring them to life and her personality and love of the material shine through. This is what the Fringe is about. Great value and highly recommended!
An event by
DunsPlayFest



