Butcher to Bard: The Journey of Calum Lykan

In the world of professional storytelling, few voices are as resonant—or as rugged—as that of Calum Lykan. Often described as "as big as a bear and as subtle as a kilt full of badgers," Lykan has become a staple of the international storytelling circuit. But the path to becoming a "Slayer of Boredom" wasn't a straight line through a fairy tale; it was a winding road through the grit of everyday industry.

Long before I was weaving myths on stages at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival or in venues across Canada, my life was rooted in the "suited silence" of the corporate world. Having been raised in the legends of the Ayrshire countryside (the land of Robert Burns), I initially took a far more traditional route.

My resume from this "past life" reads like a series of character studies:

• The Butcher: Learning the precision and physicality of a trade.

• The Banker: Navigating the rigid world of finance and spreadsheets.

• The Regional Manager: Mastering business development and team management.

Despite having some success in these fields, something was missing. I think I can best describe this time period as "roles rooted in spreadsheets," which is far removed from the vibrant oral traditions I was surrounded with in my youth.

Every hero’s journey has a "call to adventure," and mine came in the form of a terrifying offer from a friend: become a tour guide in Edinburgh. At the time, this felt like an impossible task. Why? Because the man who now commands audiences of thousands originally suffered from crippling stage fright. However, I took the plunge and within a matter of weeks, the fear dissolved, replaced by a rediscovered love for history and the all-new sensation of the "thrill of the crowd." I began writing my own tour segments as my creative juices flowed, blending historical facts with the narrative flair that would soon become the storyteller I am.

The Apprenticeship: The Scottish Storytelling Centre

The turning point came when, much to my suprise I discovered what I affectionately call the "best-kept secret of Edinburgh's Royal Mile": The Scottish Storytelling Centre. It was here that my journey from Tour Guide to a Storyteller began. It wasnt just about telling stories; you had immerse yourself in them as you learned the business behind Storytelling and Performance. I was voracious in my appetite for tales, reading as many books as I could carry while attending as many performances as possible while still working my own. And before I knew it, I had been put in front of a panel of my peers and accepted as a professional storyteller, a bearer of tradition.

And from that day forth, there were no limits. I travelled the realms performing in some glorious locations while at the same time collecting stories as I went. Today, my travels have taken me across the Atlantic, from Calgary, Alberta, to my new home in New Brunswick, Canada. Here, I have become a bridge between Scottish heritage and North American audiences, whether performing as a "Roguish Pirate," a "Viking Skald," or simply a man in a kilt with a bottle of whisky and a haunting tale, my mission remains the same: to breathe life into the story with every telling and have my audiences leaving with a smile on there faces.

"Storytelling is ancient, adaptable, and powerful. There is no feeling greater than when you see the lights go on in an audience's eyes, and you know it was all through the gift of story." — Calum Lykan

Traditional Tales of Scotland. This video provides a glimpse into the collaborative and historical nature of Calum Lykan's storytelling style as he explores the connections between Edinburgh and Calgary.

Back Alley Tales YouTube

Would you like to learn more about the specific folk tales Calum performs, or perhaps get some tips on how he manages his storytelling business? Please drop him a message,and he will be happy to chat.