Dr Donald Smith, Founder and Director of the world’s largest storytelling festival, will retire at the end of 2025 after 36 years during which he founded and led the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF).
Donald is also a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Edinburgh’s Guid Crack Club, and was formerly CEO of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). He has been instrumental in the growth and success of the festival since he established it in 1989.
The festival has grown from a handful of events taking place in storytellers’ homes and bars across Edinburgh, to the flagship event it is today, enjoying audiences upwards of 40k each year, and a programme of over 120 events, including more than 60 Go Local events taking place in community halls and venues in Scotland.
During his career Donald has helped build an extensive national and international network of storytellers and partners for the festival, including co-founding the worldwide environmental The Earth Stories Collection. Donald is himself a natural storyteller working alongside four generations of Scottish storytellers, from Great Grandparents such as Scottish Travellers Willie McPhee and Sheila Stewart, to the current crop of talented young tellers and apprentices.
Donald attended Stirling High School, and became a student at the University of Edinburgh in the seventies, which was where he first encountered traditional storytelling as a defined artform and joined the School of Scottish Studies. In 1982 he joined The Netherbow Arts Centre and in 2003 became the Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. Donald works in both Scots and English and has studied Scots and Irish storytelling for over 30 years. He has written non-fiction books on Scottish culture, Scottish independence, and many historical novels. He was also a founding Director of the National Theatre of Scotland and has produced, adapted or directed, over 80 plays.
Steve Byrne, Chief Executive of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) said: “The impact which Donald Smith has had on the world of storytelling rooted in Scotland’s traditions is unmatched. Storytellers everywhere owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts in raising the profile and status of storytelling worldwide through the festival, the establishment of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and ultimately the evolution of TRACS.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Donald in a range of roles over the past 20 years and to see the esteem in which he is held as a storyteller himself and a passionate advocate for our traditional arts. His deep sense of commitment to the value of local traditions as a bridge to engaging with the wider world has been at the heart of all the festival is about. Although he steps down as Director this year, he remains a true friend of Scotland’s culture – we ken fine he’ll no be awa tae bide awa!”
Donald Smith, Founder and Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival said: “It’s great to be passing on the torch of this special festival to new leadership. I am grateful to all those who have helped the Scottish International Storytelling Festival survive through some difficult times, and thrive. Of course, I also now feel unleashed year round to celebrate and share what I have been so privileged to learn about Scotland’s unique storytelling culture (retired but not wholly retiring…..)”
Donald Smith’s last festival is taking place this year from 22 October until 1 November. Themed by Lights of the North it will explore Scotland’s northern identity through sharing tales from the world’s northern arc, which bridges Finland to Iceland and connects Germany to Norway, with Scotland in between. Over the 11 days its line-up of international guest storytellers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and Germany will bring tales from far flung places to Scotland. Sharing the stage with some festival favourites, and well-known Scottish storytellers, artists and musicians.
