On the 25th February 2006, National Theatre of Scotland staged its first production, and today we launch the True Story project to celebrate these 20 years. 

We are inviting the public to share real-life stories that deserve to be told on Scotland's stages; be they true stories rooted in history, place, or community, the personal and family narratives that have shaped lives, or authentic tales that resonate through humour, resilience, struggle, triumph or hope.

“Everyone's got a story to tell. What's yours?”

From a shortlist, one incredible story will be selected by public vote, and brought to life by a team of leading Scottish theatre artists, for public presentation in 2027.  

The call out will be live until 13 May 2026 with a short list announced to the public in September 2026, with the winner announced in November 2026.

Full details on how to get involved here.  

Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director said

"It feels entirely fitting to mark the Company’s 20th birthday with a project that celebrates Scotland as a nation of storytellers.  Real life stories have become part of the DNA of NTS; ordinary people living extraordinary lives, or indeed extraordinary events in history that have resonated across time. These stories and characters have captured the imaginations of artists and audiences throughout NTS’s history, and I can’t wait to listen to the great Scottish public and to find out their true stories and to then support the journey of one special story onto the stage, alongside a team of brilliant Scottish artists.” 

Lorraine Kelly is joining the team as a True Story Ambassador, and she will be involved in the call out and judging process.  

Lorraine Kelly, True Story ambassador said

“Ever since I started out as a teenage reporter on the East Kilbride News, and later as a presenter and author, I have been fascinated by real life stories. I am a naturally curious person, and I have had the privilege of listening to thousands of stories over the years, allowing me insight into the personal, the extraordinary and the sometimes, dramatic. I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for the National Theatre of Scotland’s True Story project and to support their call out to the great Scottish public to find a special story that will resonate with Scottish audiences. I can't wait to sit with the True Story submissions later this year and immerse myself in what I imagine will be a treasure trove of compelling testimonies and exceptional stories.”  
 

Five fabulous Scottish cultural figures have taken on the role of being True Story Champions, supporting the call out for true stories. They are Val McDermid, Greg McHugh, Shereen Nanjiani, Len Pennie, and Irvine Welsh.

Val McDermid, author, said  

“We're a nation of storytellers. Everybody's got a story. You hear it at the bus stop, you hear it in the pub, you hear it everywhere you go. You've all got stories. We want to hear your stories. And that's why the National Theatre of Scotland has started a campaign to gather your stories together to make new stories for the next generation and beyond.”  

Greg McHugh, actor and writer, said

“They say that truth is stranger than fiction. The National Theatre of Scotland have taken this on board in a big way with their project True Story that involves the great Scottish public. They are choosing one brilliant true story to put on stage which I think is a great idea and a fabulously fun way to celebrate the Company’s 20th birthday.”

Shereen Nanjiani, broadcaster, said  

“In my 40-year career as a news broadcaster I have reported on hundreds of Scotland's stories, big and small. I was the first person of Asian heritage to become a TV newsreader in Scotland, and that's made me acutely aware of the need to tell stories that reflect our country in all its rich diversity, and to hear from those whose voices often don't get heard. I'm also passionate about the power of theatre to bring us together, to make us think, to move us, to make us laugh and cry.”  

Len Pennie, poet, said

“I am a firm believer that every single person has a story that is worth telling and worth hearing. There's nothing like a good story for making you feel happy, sad, scared - the full spectrum of human emotion! But even more special than that is sharing a story with somebody. It's about connection, community, empathy, just knowing that you're not alone.”

Irvine Welsh, author, said

“True stories inform everything. They inform our imagination or experience or creation of other stories or embellishment of stories or creation of fiction. So there's the old saying that the truth is stranger than fiction, and generally it's true. True stories are important because they're the the bedrock of our creativity and our culture.”