Rewilding Scotland's Epics

About the Book: 

To rewild is to return land to a wilder, more natural state – what if we could do the same with stories? Acclaimed storyteller Donald Smith retells the cycles of Ossian, Arthur and Columba, inspiring voices of rediscovery and reconnection in the face of ecological crisis.

Discover three distinct but interlinked epic cycles from Scotland’s oral storytelling tradition: the Ossian cycle – adventures of father and son Fionn and Ossian; the Arthur Cycle – adventures of Arthur and Merlin; and the Columba Cycle – adventures of the legendary monk Colmcille. Smith’s retellings illuminate the deep ecological grounding of these myths, as well as their enduring themes of love, war, and tragedy. In retelling three foundational mythic cycles, Donald Smith restores the sacred link between Scotland’s land and its stories.

Reviews: 

A salute to the ancient tradition of storytelling, guiding the reader around Edinburgh’s famous ‘Resting Giant’ with an exploration of the local folklore and customs. SCOTTISH REVIEW OF BOOKS on Arthur’s Seat: Journeys and Excavations

Biographical Note:

DONALD SMITH is a renowned storyteller, founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and an experienced playwright and theatre producer. He was also a founding Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, for which he campaigned over a decade. Born in Glasgow of Irish parentage, Donald Smith was brought up in Scotland, immersed in its artistic and cultural life. Smith’s non-fiction includes Storytelling Scotland: A Nation in Narrative, God, the Poet and the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion and Arthur’s Seat: Journeys and Evocations, co-authored with Stuart McHardy. Donald Smith is currently Director of Tracs (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), based at the Storytelling Centre.

9781804252321

Unsewn / adhesive bound