Tom Muir

Tom Muir is Orkney's only living native storyteller. He has a lifetime of Scottish, Viking and Nordic stories to share, springing from his work in archaeology, museums and traditional storytelling. Tom has a great love for the stories and history of his native Orkney Islands and the Nordic lands of his Viking ancestors. He was born on a small farm by the sea; old Orkney customs and dialect were still very much alive as he grew up.

He has published and contributed to many books of Orkney history, Nordic tales and the Icelandic Sagas. Tom's first book was a retelling of traditional Orkney stories, The Mermaid Bride and other Orkney Folk Tales. Another folklore collection, Orkney Folk Tales, followed. His Tales of Viking Lands book and CDs benefit Tom's dear friends at Storholmen Viking Village, Sweden.

As a storyteller, Tom has traveled from Nunavut to Hong Kong and across Scotland, Scandinavia and Europe. He also runs the annual Orkney Storytelling Festival, known as the little festival with a big heart probably because he feeds his visiting storytellers so well! (Photo credit: Katarina Juvancic)