Scottish storytelling festival founder steps down after 36 years of ‘unmatched’ impact

The founder and director of Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Dr DONALD SMITH, is to retire at the end of 2025 after helping run the annual event for 36 years.

A founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Edinburgh’s Guid Crack
Club and former CEO of Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS), Smith is also co-founder of the Earth Stories Collection. In 1982, he joined the Netherbow Arts Centre and, in 2003, became the director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

He was also a founding director of the National Theatre of Scotland, where he produced, adapted, and directed dozens of plays. Additionally, he has written books on Scottish culture, Scottish independence, and historical novels.

“The impact which Donald Smith has had on the world of storytelling rooted in
Scotland’s traditions is unmatched,” said STEVE BYRNE, chief executive of TRACS.

Byrne continued: “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.”

Smith 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,” he joked, “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…)”