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.

Illustrated throughout by Hester Aspland. 

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 Evocations

Reviews for The Ossian Cycle at the International Scottish Storytelling Festival: 

The Ossian saga tells of the doings of real, flawed people who sometimes act with incredible generosity and noble self-sacrifice and at other times are prevented from doing so by their own feelings of hurt or desire for revenge.  Whatever they do, they do it passionately: and their humanity speaks out loud and clear across the ages, calling us to love and rage and grieve and suffer with them as we listen to their story. MARY WOODWARD, ScotsGay Arts

Intertwines human drama with a deep sensitivity to the natural environment, connecting landscape, identity, and heritage. Donald Smith’s framing subtly highlighted this relationship, presenting ancient place-based wisdom in a way that speaks directly to a modern audience. ALENA SCHMAKOVA, The QR ★★★★

Reviews for The Columba Cycle at the International Scottish Storytelling Festival: 

Throughout the evening, considerable attention is given to the natural world: the waters of Lough Gartan, the hills of Colum Cille’s homeland, the silver beaches of Iona, and the flower-filled machair of the islands. The Columba Cycle offers a moving, musically enchanting, and thoughtfully realised performance that will leave many audience members inspired to revisit one of the most influential figures in the shared history of Ireland and Scotland. ALENA SCHMAKOVA, The QR ★★★★⯪

About the Author:

DONALD SMITH is a storyteller of Scotland and noted performer. Inspired by his time at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, where he researched the pioneer feminist Naomi Mitchison, Donald became Director of The Netherbow Arts Centre and founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre. In 2023 he received the Hamish Henderson Award for lifetime service to the Scottish arts. He is a longstanding activist in Earth Charter International, and co-founder of The Earth Stories Collection.