Festival 2025
The To Absent Friends festival takes place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2025.
It is an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died. To Absent Friends, a People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance is an opportunity to revive lost traditions and create new ones.
Below is a list of the events taking place around Scotland and online.
To Absent Friends Wander in Holyrood Park
Organised by Humanist Society Scotland
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
Thursday 6th November, 12 noon - 12.45pm
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
People who have died remain a part of our lives – their stories are our stories, yet many Scottish traditions relating to the expression of loss and remembrance have faded over time.
To Absent Friends, a People’s Festival of Storytelling and Remembrance is an opportunity to revive lost traditions and create new ones.
Join us for a gentle, thoughtful wander and an opportunity to remember, to tell stories, to celebrate and to reminisce about people we love who have died.
We will pause at the poet-tree to read some poetry, and if you wish to (no obligation), you can share a little about your loved one and/or write their name on an autumn leaf and scatter it into the wind to return to nature. We will then continue to walk up to Dunsapie Loch before returning back.
The walk will be facilitated by Lara, a Humanist Celebrant and the Community Engagement Manager for national charity Humanist Society Scotland.
Starting and finishing at the Lilyhill Terrace entrance to Holyrood Park (inside the park gate, opposite 49 Lilyhill Terrace, EH8 7DR) A seven minute walk from the bus stop on London Road (at Meadowbank House).
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oy6XNm6FXcmjLYgPA
Unfortunately the path is not suitable for wheelchairs, and includes some steps, and muddy, uneven surfaces. Participation is at your own risk. Please wear appropriate clothing for the Scottish weather including walking boots and a waterproof and bring a water bottle or thermos.
This activity is free and open to the public, but please register in advance so that we have an idea of numbers:
Death Cafe (in person)
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In partnership with Finn’s Place, Battlefield Community Project and Curious Mortals.
Taking place at Finns Place, 167 Ledard Rd, Glasgow G42 9QU.
Thursday 6th Nov 2025, 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
This activity is open to the public. No need to register in advance.
Let’s break the taboo, and talk about Death! This event is an informal space to talk with others about something which affects us all. Anyone and everyone can come along, whether you are currently processing the loss of someone, facing your own mortality, or just find the topic really interesting there is a place for you here.
Please note that this is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session. Everyone is welcome.
More information: https://curiousmortals.co.uk/past-and-future-events
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Voices & Sister, Sister Choirs - Together in Song
Organised by North Berwick Coastal Community Connections
Abbey Church, North Berwick
Thursday 6 November, 1:30-2pm
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Join us as two amazing choirs come together to perform songs that celebrate life!
Please book your place by emailing admin@nbc-communityconnections.org.
Image credit: North Berwick Coastal Community Connections
Duncan Place Reminiscence Cafe
Organised by Duncan Place Community Hub & Enterprise
4 Duncan Place, Leith EH6 8HW
Thursday 6th November 2pm-3:30pm.
This activity is open to the public (18+). Please register in advance.
Duncan Place have organised a couple of free events as part of the To Absent Friends festival, with one of them being this Reminiscence Cafe. See below for more information on the cafe.
A Café of Reminiscence is a way of bringing together members of a community to reminisce and share anecdotes of dead loved ones. It is an opportunity to share stories and memories of the people we love who have died, in a welcoming environment over tea and cake.
At our Duncan Place Reminiscence Cafe, we’ll be grouped around tables, sharing a cuppa and cake. We’ll also have a Conversation Menu available that can be used to help get the discussions started. Structured in three ‘courses’ the menu asks a variety of questions about those who have died, for example ‘If you had one last day with them, what would you do?’ Naturally conversations will flow from these menu prompts.
Find out more and book your free place on Eventbrite here.
To Absent Friends Gathering
Organised by the Rooted Willow
The Yoga Tree Stirling, 4 King St, First Floor, FK8 1AY Stirling, United Kingdom
Thursday 6 November, 6pm-9pm
This activity is open to the public. Please register in advance.
Join Lesley-Anne and Mary for an informal gathering of stories, crafting, tea and cake as we explore creating some new traditions together.
We’ll allow ourselves to remember and honour absent friends through simple crafting activities, including making memory pages and weaving willow remembrance wreaths. There will be time for quiet reflection and for sharing memories (only if you want to)
This is a free event, but in order to make sure we have enough tea and cake, please email info@theyogatreestirling.co.uk to let us know you’re coming along.
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