CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Ye Fair Forflittin Flochter, or Fun with Flyting: A Family-friendly Workshop

Discover FLYTING, the playful, poetic tradition of creative insults on this family-friendly workshop at The Mitchell Library as part of Being Human Festival!

Ye Fair Forflittin Flochter, or Fun with Flyting: A Family-friendly Workshop

About Ye Fair Forflittin Flochter, or Fun with Flyting: A Family-friendly Workshop

Discover FLYTING, the playful, poetic tradition of creative insults! This family-friendly event provides the chance to explore flyting, an Older Scots tradition brimming with potential for self-expression.

The event will begin with a short performance by actors who’ll show you how makars (Scottish poets) crafted and exchanged insults for public entertainment four hundred years ago.

Then you’ll be invited to participate in small-group workshops to create your own insults or compliments (how about a sleekit, slimy snake or a canny, courteous cuddy?). Experiment with sound, making up words and playing with alliteration to create your very own hilarious taunts, Older Scots style. Finally, the actors will return for a special, final performance to showcase each group's best flytings and flatterings.

Afterwards, there will be refreshments available and you can decorate a royal crown or a makar’s bunnet to take home. You can also design and colour a family crest inspired by your favourite animal, sport or hobby.

We'll be joined by Ishbel McFarlane- performer, writer, and champion of Scots in the arts- and get a sneak peek at some of the Mitchell Library’s centuries-old Scots manuscripts, too! This is the perfect way to bring the Older Scots language, spoken over four centuries ago, alive for you and your family.

Tickets are FREE and booking is essential via Eventbrite.

The event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 9–18 November 2023. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information, please see beinghumanfestival.org.

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Renfrewshire Council
Glasgow Science Centre
King Pins
Glasgow City Council
Tea Green
Tea Green

Other Events at The Mitchell Library and Theatre

Glasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group

Selected dates between 3rd July 2025 - 4th December 2025

Glasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group runs on the first Thursday of each month with the library kindly providing books for all members, so there is no cost involved!

READ MORE

Cut and Paste Tuesday

Selected dates between 23rd September 2025 - 30th December 2025

Cut and Paste Tuesday at The Mitchell Library is a monthly workshop for seasoned zine makers and newbies alike!

READ MORE

The Mitchell Library Death Cafe hosted by Creating Conversations CIC

Selected dates between 30th October 2025 - 26th February 2026

Join Creating Conversations CIC at The Mitchell Library for one of their regular Death Cafe, a safe, confidential and friendly space to come together and talk openly and honestly about death.

READ MORE

Make 2nds Count - Tea & Chat

Selected dates between 3rd November 2025 - 1st December 2025

Glasgow Libraries have joined up with Make 2nds Count to host a monthly tea and chat meet up group for secondary breast cancer patients in Glasgow.

READ MORE

Aye Write: The Road to Mons Gaupius: Alan Montgomery

9th November 2025

Dr Alan Montgomery gives an illustrated talk about Roman Scotland based on his new book, The Road to Mons Graupius as part of Aye Write 2025.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Happy Healthy Sober: Janey Lee Grace

9th November 2025

With her signature blend of honesty, humour, and holistic wisdom, former WHAM! backing singer Janey Lee Grace discusses her book, Happy Healthy Sober, with host Frankie Burr for Aye Write 2025.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Sit Down with Serial Killers: Shaun Atwood

9th November 2025

In his Aye Write Festival debut, Shaun Atwood discusses his new book, Sitdowns with Serial Killers & Murderers and what it's like talking to some of the most menacing and violent people on the planet.

READ MORE

Aye Write: The Old Divide - Sectarianism in Scotland: A History: Chris Bambery with Kirsteen Paterson

9th November 2025

Chris Bambery sits down with Kirsteen Paterson to discuss the historical events that have constructed sectarianism in Scotland for Aye Write 2025.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Irish Unity Dividend: Ben Collins

9th November 2025

Author Ben Collins sits down to discuss his new book, The Irish Unity Dividend, as part of Aye Write 2025.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Conversations with Tim Ingold: Anthropology, Education and Life with Hannah Whaley

9th November 2025

Don't miss a lively conversation with internationally renowned anthropologist Tim Ingold, tackling the big questions on what makes a good life with warmth and irreverence in equal measure.

READ MORE

Aye Write: The Autobiography of Jethro Tull’s Guitarist: Martin Barre with Alistair Braidwood

9th November 2025

Scots Whay Hae! podcast host Alistair Braidwood welcomes legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre to the Aye Write stage to discuss Martin’s autobiography, A Trick of Memory.

READ MORE

Aye Write: A Fire in their Hearts: Philip Paris with Ann Landmann

13th November 2025

Best-selling author Philip Paris joins Ann Landmann from the Edinburgh-based publisher, Birlinn Books, to discuss Philip's latest novel, A Fire in Their Hearts.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Concrete Dreams: Chris Leslie, Mitch Miller & Alison Irvine

13th November 2025

Writer Alison Irvine, photographer and filmmaker Chris Leslie, and illustrator Mitch Miller combine their considerable talents in Concrete Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Cumbernauld Town Centre.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Barrowland: The Inside Story of Glasgow’s Beloved Ballroom and One Love, One Life: Alison Irvine and Billy Sloan

14th November 2025

Music lovers rejoice as Aye Write welcomes two writers to the festival, each with their own love letter to the Glasgow music scene!

READ MORE

Aye Write: Saltwash and Idle Grounds: Andrew Michael Hurley and Krystelle Bamford with Kavan Stafford

14th November 2025

Kavan Stafford chats with two modern fiction writers about their respective dark and chilling tales.

READ MORE

Aye Write: You Don’t Have to be Mad to Work Here: Benji Waterhouse

15th November 2025

With a mix of stand-up comedy and readings from his book, award-winning comedian, best-selling author, and NHS psychiatrist Benji Waterhouse considers some of life's big questions.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Rhyme and Reason: A Short History of Poetry and People (for People who Don’t Usually Read Poetry): Mark Forsyth

15th November 2025

Mark Forsyth makes his Aye Write debut to talk about his latest book, Rhyme & Reason, a funny, charming guide to poetry (and people) for people who don't usually read poetry!

READ MORE

Aye Write: Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age: Bruce Peter

15th November 2025

In Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age, Professor Bruce Peter (Glasgow School of Art) explores the remarkable range of Art Deco objects and images created here in Scotland.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Words from Whaleback City: Andy Jackson & Bill Herbert

15th November 2025

Whaleback City Press is Dundee's new and vibrant small publisher, specialising in big ideas in small packages and this event showcases work from its first two projects!

READ MORE

Aye Write: The Pen is Mightier: Edward Tudor Pole

15th November 2025

Edward Tudor Pole takes to the Aye Write stage to discuss his autobiography, The Pen is Mightier.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Single and Psycho: Caroline Young with Zoe Venditozzi

15th November 2025

Edinburgh-based author Caroline Young joins podcaster and writer Zoe Venditozzi to discuss Young's latest book, Single and Psycho: How pop culture created the unstable single woman.

READ MORE

Aye Write: My Mother’s Murder: Gina McGavin and Jane Hamilton with Douglas Skelton

15th November 2025

Join journalist Jane Hamilton and co-author Gina McGavin as they take you behind the headlines of one of Scotland's most haunting cold cases: The 1984 murder of Gina’s mother, Mary McLaughlin.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Sunday Best: Daniel Gray

16th November 2025

Author and journalist Peter Ross welcomes Daniel Gray to a Sunday evening in the Mitchell Library to chat about Daniel’s new book, Sunday Best: Travels Through the Day of Rest.

READ MORE

Aye Write: There She Goes: Esa Aldegheri with Linda Cracknell and Claire Askew

16th November 2025

Editor Esa Aldegheri sits down with contributors Linda Cracknell and Claire Askew to discuss their new book, There She Goes.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Pop Scars: Anthony Kavanagh with Carrie Marshall

16th November 2025

One-time teen popstar Anthony Kavanagh takes to the Aye Write stage to discuss his searingly honest memoir, Pop Scars.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Wild Mountain Times: Gary Robertson with Gabriella Bennett

16th November 2025

Dundee-based author Gary Robertson joins journalist Gabriella Bennett for a lively discussion about Gary's new book, Wild Mountain Times as part of Aye Write 2025!

READ MORE

Aye Write: Universality and Alive in the Merciful Country: Natasha Brown and A L Kennedy with Gabriella Bennett

16th November 2025

Award-winning Scots writer, academic, and occasional stand-up comedian A L Kennedy returns to Aye Write to discuss her latest acclaimed novel.

READ MORE

Aye Write: The Secret Christmas Library and Christmas at the Movies: Jenny Colgan and Anne Marie Ryan with Dawn Vallance

16th November 2025

A talk with a festive flair as Glasgow Life Principal Librarian Dawn Vallance joins two authors in conversation about their respective Christmas-themed books for Aye Write 2025!

READ MORE

Aye Write: Dead Man’s Tale and Acts of Malice: Quiintin Jardine and Alex Gray with Douglas Skelton

16th November 2025

In this special Aye Write event, crime writer Douglas Skelton welcomes two contemporaries to the stage to discuss their new books — each with a grizzled Scottish detective and a murder to solve.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Following Sam: Jon and Sam’s Journey Conquering the 42: Jon Attenborough

16th November 2025

Jon Attenborough discusses Following Sam, his memoir chronicling his experience of visiting all 42 Scottish Professional Football League stadiums with his guide dog, Sam.

READ MORE

Aye Write: Unfinished Business and Thrive: Henry McLeish & James Mitchell and Lesley Riddoch with Kirsteen Paterson

16th November 2025

In this special sit-down examining the potential future of Scotland and Scottish politics, Kirsteen Paterson is a journalist with 20 years experience of covering politics and policy in Scotland.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

East Renfrewshire Culture
Fayre Play
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Hilton Glasgow
ATG

Similar events you might like...

All The Young Nudes

All The Young Nudes

Selected dates between 13th January 2025 - 24th November 2025

All The Young Nudes, the longest running life drawing club in Scotland, is held weekly on Monday evenings at Sloans!

READ MORE
Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Ukulele Classes For Wee Fingers

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Looking for the perfect way to introduce your child to music? Amplify's fun and engaging ukulele classes are designed just for 5 to 8-year-olds—the perfect stepping stone into music education!

READ MORE
Adult Music Workshops

Adult Music Workshops

Selected dates between 24th March 2025 - 1st March 2026

Always wanted to play an instrument? Now's your chance! Join Amplify Music Academy for their relaxed, one-hour daytime group lessons for adults!

READ MORE
ATYN The Other Drawing Club

ATYN The Other Drawing Club

Selected dates between 7th May 2025 - 17th December 2025

Join ATYN for their weekly life drawing club at House Of Toad on Wednesday evenings, where all are welcome!

READ MORE
Twin Hearts Guided Meditation

Twin Hearts Guided Meditation

Selected dates between 27th May 2025 - 9th December 2025

The Meditation on Twin Hearts is a guided meditation which helps to flush out negative thoughts and emotions that congest our mind and body every day.

READ MORE
LUSH Glasgow City x ALL BAR ONE - Sip & Soap Event

LUSH Glasgow City x ALL BAR ONE - Sip & Soap Event

Selected dates between 1st June 2025 - 23rd November 2025

The experts of All Bar One & Lush are coming together for an afternoon of artistry & alcohol!

READ MORE
Singing for Wellbeing: A Community Singing Class

Singing for Wellbeing: A Community Singing Class

Selected dates between 25th June 2025 - 17th December 2025

Join Lynne at The Wee Retreat for this Community Singing Class as she creates a relaxed and fun environment for you to enjoy using your voice and sing together.

READ MORE
Adult Art Workshop: Make an Embossed Copper Box with Bryony Knox

Adult Art Workshop: Make an Embossed Copper Box with Bryony Knox

Selected dates between 19th July 2025 - 15th November 2025

Join metalworker and tutor Bryony Knox for this workshop at Mackintosh at the Willow and learn how to make your own Glasgow Style-inspired embossed copper box!

READ MORE
Monday Night Drama Workshops

Monday Night Drama Workshops

Selected dates between 25th August 2025 - 15th December 2025

Monday Night Drama sessions for 8 to 16 year olds at Platform Glasgow are designed to develop skills and confidence through games, workshops and regular performance opportunities!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Renfrewshire Council
Glasgow Science Centre
King Pins
Glasgow City Council
Tea Green
Tea Green
East Renfrewshire Culture
Fayre Play
Children's Classic Concerts
Hilton Glasgow
City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Hilton Glasgow
ATG

Popular Events

Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland, the city's most anticipated festive celebration, will transform Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square into enchanting winter wonderlands of light, laughter and seasonal cheer!
GlasGLOW
This Halloween season, the city we love turns 850 and GlasGLOW are throwing one GLOW-rious celebration with an all-new 60-minute blockbuster light and sound show at the Botanic Gardens!
Glasgow’s Christmas Lighting Trail
This Christmas, Glasgow's celebrating 850 years of our amazing city with a trail full of twinkling lights, joyful sights, and festive cheer!
Clydeside Christmas Village
Get ready for something truly special this winter... introducing Clydeside Christmas Village, arriving in Glasgow for the very first time between Friday 28th November and Sunday 4th January!
Remembrance Sunday Glasgow
Veterans and military personnel will help city leaders mark Remembrance Sunday this year, with events centred around Glasgow Cathedral as George Square remains under development.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro