Rewilding Scotland's Epics

Publishing November 2026

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

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.