Edinburgh: Our Storied Town

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About the Book: 

Celebrating its 900th year, Edinburgh is an unrivalled theatre of story. In this commemorative book, Donald Smith unravels the city’s storytelling evolution across the centuries, illustrated with vivid detail by Cat Outram. 

How did Edinburgh get its name?  

What gives the city its unique character? 

Why do nation and planet come together here? 

How did Edinburgh become the city of literature, and a Festival city? 

Which books have made the most impact?

Through its nine official centuries Edinburgh has thrived on books, words and ideas. Everyone who loves Edinburgh will love Donald Smith’s exploration of this storied town, as will anyone interested in how place shapes people and people, place. 

Reviews: 

Edinburgh is a mad god’s dream. HUGH MACDIARMID

You are my skyline as high as eye is lifted nothing is beyond you. TESSA RANSFORD

Flatter not thyself; the same justice remaineth in God to punish thee, Scotland, and thee Edinburgh in especial. JOHN KNOX

In my precipitous city beaten bells Winnow the keen sea wind. R L STEVENSON

Media on Edinburgh’s 900th Anniversary:

City’s 900th anniversary deserves to be celebrated in style. SUSAN DALGETY, Edinburgh Evening News

Edinburgh winning the bid today to host the 2024 UNESCO Cities of Literature conference is an important moment. JOHN KENYON, Chair of UNESCO Cities of Literature Network

I look forward to a great programme of events which will examine how Edinburgh came to be over the centuries, celebrate where it is now, and reflect its future ambitions and aspirations. ROBERT ALDRIDGE, The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh

About the Author:

DONALD SMITH is founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre and of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Donald Smith is a noted storyteller and performance poet in his own right, novelist, and playwright; and has authored a succession of books about Scottish culture, including Storytelling Scotland (2001) and Freedom and Faith (2013). From 2012 to 2023 he was CEO of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). (Donald was born in Glasgow to an Irish mother, and was brought up in Church of Scotland manses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling. In 2023 he was honoured to receive the Hamish Henderson Award for lifetime achievement.)