Play aiming to debunk Scottish 'gift shop fantasy' to tour historic venues - including Stirling Castle

A National Theatre of Scotland production which aims to debunk the Scottish "gift shop fantasy" is to be performed in historic venues across Scotland including Glasgow Cathedral, Urquhart Castle and Stirling Castle.

Through the Shortbread Tin, which explores Scottish culture, myths, history and identity through the “tartan-trimmed” works by James Macpherson on third century bard, Ossian, is also being performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The work - which started life in 2025 touring small venues across Scotland - is written and performed by Martin O’Connor and performed in Scots with Gaelic songs.

In this remounted production, directed by Joanna Bowman, who recently directed Sweat at the Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh - O’Connor is joined on stage by Gaelic singers Josie Duncan, Iona Mairead and Mairi McGillivray.

A spokesperson for NTS said: “In 1760 Scottish poet James Macpherson set the world ablaze with stories of the third-century Scottish bard, Ossian. This tartan-trimmed tale of Highland history spread far and wide, capturing the imagination of thousands– but was it built on a deception?

“In 2026 Scottish poet Martin O’Connor decides to revisit Macpherson’s epic and begins to question his own relationship with Scottish culture. The sporrans, the stags, the shortbread – do these ‘gift-shop’ images of Scotland hold us back or bring us forward? What does it mean to be authentic, and is the truth sometimes better told in a lie?”

Eoin Carey/National Theatre of Scotland

Twenty years since the internationally acclaimed production of Black Watch premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Through the Shortbread Tin marks National Theatre of Scotland’s 42nd production at the Edinburgh festivals, including last year’s Edinburgh International Festival sell out success, Make It Happen.

After playing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Through the Shortbread Tin will tour to Glasgow Cathedral, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle in Inverness in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland from 3 September to 19 September.