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Credit: Jassy Earl

'Her eyes are the colour of oyster shells, her hair thick strands of kelp, her voice the chorus of the waves.' 

Vision Mechanics - one of Scotland's most singular and respected companies - are touring their ten metre tall puppet, Storm, across Scotland. From her first appearance in 2020 as part of the Celtic Connections festival, Storm was constructed in response to Scotland's Year of Coasts and Waters (2020/21).

On this tour, Storm first rose from the waters during North Berwick's Fringe by the Sea in August, before visiting Alloa and Anstruther Harbour. She continues her progress via Burghead (Findhorn Bay Arts Festival, Saturday 11 September); Nairn Book and Arts Festival, (Sunday 12 September); Oban (hosted by Love Oban, Saturday 25 September); Dundee, (hosted by Sustainable Dundee, Sunday 26 September); Irvine's Scottish Maritime Museum (Saturday 2 October); Wick's Northern Lights Festival (produced by Lyth Arts, Monday 11 October); Dumfries, (Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Saturday 16 October)before returing to Edinburgh for  and a meet and greet in the Royal Botanic Gardens, on Saturday 30 October.

Storm is Scotland's largest puppet, made from recycled and natural materials, and is operated by ten puppets. As a goddess who rises from the sea, her mission is to urge 'care and protection of the oceans and environment, and her itinery takes in some of Scotland's most beautiful locations - as well as reminding the cities of the world beyond buildings. She is accompanied wherever she travels by a beautiful soundscape created by the pioneering Scottish folk singer Mairi Campbell.

'Like many of us, Storm has been resting at home since early 2020, lying in wait to begin her journey across Scotland,' says Vision Mechanics Artistic Director, Symon Macintyre. 'We are delighted to be able to assist Storm in her journey to some of Scotland’s most beautiful coasts and waters. We believe strongly in her message of environmental care and are proud to be able to share it with people all across Scotland. From North Berwick, to Wick, to Dumfries - Storm is a striking vision to behold against the landscape of this beautiful country.'

Storm’s journey is free to witness, but audiences must pre-register in advance in order to maintain covid-safe numbers. Information on how to do this will be available on the Vision Mechanics website.

Exact times and route maps for Storm’s journey in each location will be shared with pre-registered audiences before she arrives. Each walk will also be live streamed across the Vision Mechanics social media channels. Audiences can check in each day of the tour to follow her route across Scotland.

Storm is the latest production from Edinburgh based visual theatre makers Vision Mechanics. Previously they toured the giant puppet Big Man Walking across Scotland, transformed Drummohr House into the world of Oz, and installed Giants in the Forest across the UK. Their work invites people to celebrate and participate in creating memorable and interactive productions on huge scales. Storm is their most ambitious, challenging, and politically resonant project yet.