Is it too late to contribute a story?

Yes and no! The commissioned composers have now made their selections from the story collection, so it is too late for your story to influence the composers’ creative processes. However, if you would like to be part of the project and have a story to send in to me, you’re welcome to do so and I will add it to the collection.

Where can I hear the new music?

Jessica and Glisk performed the new suite of music for the very first time on Friday 23 June 2023, at the Hidden Gardens, in Pollokshields on the Southside of Glasgow.

You can hear all the music on the Music page of the website. Visitors to various tree sites around Scotland will also be able to link directly to the stories and music via QR codes at woodland sites, allowing them to listen to the music in the company of the trees.

If you are interested in hosting a concert performance from Glisk of the music from Stories of People and Trees, please get in touch using the website contact form.

Do I need to attend an event in order to contribute my story?

No - please be in touch using the contact form, and Jessica will contact you to find out the best way of recording your story - a phone conversation, an email, meeting in person.

I’m based in Scotland, but I’m not Scottish, can I contribute a story?

Yes!  Of course. I am collecting stories from anyone who currently lives in Scotland and am actively seeking stories from as diverse a set of people as possible.

Does the tree in the story need to be local or where I live?

No.  I hope that Stories of People and Trees might include connections to trees from Scotland and all of the rest of the world.

I think my friend/colleague/gran might have a story to share.  Can I put you in touch?

Yes please!  Do get in touch or share the contact details of the project with anyone that you think might like to contribute.  Please do not share anyone else’s contact details with the project without asking their permission first.

My child/grandchild loves trees! Can they take part?

Yes! See the Contribute a Story page for details of how very young children can take part with a little help from an adult. Children old enough to want to contribute a story can take part in the same way as adults, although contributions from the under-16s will need to be co-signed by their parent or guardian, giving permission for their use.

I don’t speak good English.  How will this work?

I will use a translation service for anyone wishing to contribute a story in a language other than English.  Where possible, I would like to record and share your story in its original language, as well as the English translation.

Where will my story be shared?

With your agreement, your story will be shared online - here on this website - and on Instagram @storiesofpeopleandtrees.  If you give permission, we will also share your first name and an image of your tree. When you share your story you will be given full information about all uses of your story before you contribute it to the project. You can choose to change names for anonymity if you wish.

If your story is selected to be used as the inspiration for a piece of music, you will be contacted before the commission begins to ensure you are happy for this to go ahead.

What happens to the stories after the project has finished?

The stories will remain on the Stories of People and Trees website for visitors to enjoy in the future. Visitors to the trees (or other selected trees) will be able to link to the project via QR codes placed at the tree sites or relevant locations nearby, to enjoy the stories in the company of the trees featured.

I’m not sure if my story is a significant enough story….

Stories of people and trees exist in many shapes and sizes from saplings to ancient legends. I anticipate that some stories contributed to the project will have developed over a span of several generations, with well established roots interconnecting different peoples’ lives. Others will be tiny kernels of new stories, or involve only one person’s bond with a single tree.

Sometimes many people’s memories pieced together form the story of a tree held in love and high regard by a whole community. Your small story may be just one part of an interesting history or a clue to the ecological importance of the tree itself.