TRADITIONAL storytellers from the Wee County are this month bringing an event close to home as part of a nationwide celebration of the art.

The Hillfoots Tales Project is bringing the Scottish International Storytelling Festival to Alloa with local folklore brought to life by Joanne Ross and Janet Crawford.

More than that, they will be joined by Norwegian guest Heidi Dahlsveen who will bring to life tales from her homeland in the event titled Folklore Fusion.

It will take place at the Coach House Theatre in Alloa on Saturday, October 19, from 2.30pm with Nick Mocklar, who will also recite poems, as compere.

Joanne said: "Beyond Words is the theme for this year's International Storytelling Festival.

"We are delighted to be involved and excited to be bringing the largest storytelling festival in the world to the Hillfoots once again.

"Come and join us at our event Folklore Fusion, sit back, relax and let your imagination go Beyond Words – spanning from the Hillfoots of Scotland to the Norwegian Fjords."

Local stories will include The Glenhead Humph, The Foxboy and The Wee Fiddler from as well as The Son-in-Law was a Goat and other myths set in Norway.

"We are lucky to have Heidi Dahlsveen on board", added Joanne.

"She has been working as a professional storyteller in Norway and internationally for over 20 years; is an associate professor in storytelling at OsloMet; and teaches storytelling at both bachelor and master level."

The tales from the Wee County are set around Menstrie, Tillicoultry as well as Causewayhead just across the border with Stirling.

Joanne feels the beauty of them all is that they are linked to places people can still go and visit today.

Donald Smith, director of the wider Scottish International Storytelling Festival, said: "Once again the Hillfoots are alive with stories for this year's storytelling festival.

"There are local stories and an international guest from Norway.

"Go'n yersel, the Wee County."

The festival will seek to highlight how oral storytelling can be the key in preserving traditions and in encouraging old links and new connections – it is a celebration of stories beyond the written word.

Tickets are £5, available via bit.ly/2mT60Ak or by searching Folklore Fusion on Eventbrite.