THROUGH THE SHORTBREAD TIN

About the show

Writer and performer Martin O'Connor examines the legacy of James Macpherson's 18th-century literary deception centred on the supposedly ancient Scottish bard Ossian. O'Connor stages a dialogue between past and present, questioning how Scotland constructs and perpetuates its cultural identity through myth and invention. Performed in Scots with Gaelic songs, the production explores tensions between authenticity and artifice, asking whether cherished symbols of Scottish heritage—from Highland dress to tourist imagery—advance or constrain contemporary understanding. The show premiered to critical acclaim in 2025 and returns for a 2026 tour spanning Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Glasgow, Stirling, and Inverness, presented by National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland.