The quest to bring ancient Scottish ballads to a wider audience has been taken up by a new animation project called ‘Rhymer’. Developed by Glasgow-based animation studio StoryTales, ‘Rhymer’ combines traditional Scottish music with modern fantasy elements, telling the story of a group of alien elves in a magical world.
The project draws on Scotland’s rich cultural history, with traditional ballads such as ‘The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry’ and ‘Tam Lin’ being given a modern spin. These ancient stories are reimagined in a fantasy setting, with the characters speaking with a Scottish dialect and being voiced by Scottish actors.
The plot follows the story of an elf who is sent by his alien queen to find a powerful magical artefact. Along his journey, he discovers a magical world filled with all manner of creatures and dangers. He learns about Scottish culture from the characters he meets, and discovers that the magical artefact holds a mysterious power that could change his world forever.
The animation is created with a unique, soft pastel-style that focuses on the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes and music. ‘Rhymer’ aims to be an immersive experience, bringing traditional Scottish music and stories to a wider audience and introducing them to a memorable fantasy world.
The project has been in production since 2018, and has been steadily building anticipation among fans of traditional and fantasy music. It looks set to be an exciting new take on old tales, as well as a great way to introduce a new generation to Scottish stories and music. With its blend of traditional and alien elements, ‘Rhymer’ is shaping up to be an experience unlike any other.