Our Storied Town
Donald Smith
Developed in collaboration with the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, this book, by the esteemed Donald Smith invites you to discover the captivating tapestry of Edinburgh: Our Storied Town a spellbinding exploration of Edinburgh’s history, intricately illustrated by Cath Outram.
This commemorative edition, part of Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary celebration unveils the city’s storytelling evolution through the centuries, with each chapter delving into a different century. As Edinburgh gears up for its grand 900th anniversary festivities in August, immerse yourself in this literary gem that intertwines seamlessly with the celebrations. Join Donald Smith in honouring Edinburgh’s legacy, and witness the city hosting a major international literary conference, cementing its status as a global literary beacon. Edinburgh: Our Storied Town is an enchanting journey through time, connecting you to the heart of this storied city.
My Review
Edinburgh: Our Storied Town by Donald Smith offers a comprehensive and richly detailed exploration of Edinburgh, celebrating the city’s 900th anniversary. Through a rich historical narrative, Smith guides readers from Edinburgh’s medieval origins to its role in the Enlightenment and its place in the modern literary world. Each chapter illuminates how Edinburgh’s writers, thinkers, and residents have shaped the city’s unique identity and global reputation as a centre of creativity.
Cath Outram’s stunning capture of Edinburgh Castle, the city’s iconic landmark, brings a vivid sense of place. The illustrations throughout the book beautifully complement the narrative, enhancing the storytelling experience.
As someone who lived in Edinburgh for years, I was hoping for a more personal and lively exploration of the city —one that captured the essence of its neighbourhoods and the everyday stories that make Edinburgh so unique. While the historical depth is impressive, at times it feels more academic than accessible. Smith excels at providing a thorough historical overview, but I would have enjoyed hearing more about the people who breathe life into the city— those characters you encounter on the bus, in local shops, or whose stories have been passed down through generations. The book often feels too focused on the intellectual and cultural giants of Edinburgh’s past. While these figures are undeniably important, it would have been enriching to hear more about the voices and experiences that shape the vibrant, modern fabric of the city today.
Despite these critiques, Edinburgh: Our Storied Town is a valuable resource for those with a deep interest in the city’s history and literary heritage. Its richly researched content makes it an excellent tool for anyone looking to understand Edinburgh’s evolution over the centuries. However, for those seeking a more accessible, community-driven perspective, the book’s historical depth and academic tone might not make it the ideal starting point.
For those with a strong interest in Edinburgh’s history and literary roots, this book is a treasure trove. While this book may not be the light, story-filled tribute to Edinburgh that I’d anticipated, it does offer a rich, beautifully illustrated journey through the city’s past for those keen on a deeper historical dive.
Each chapter of Edinburgh: Our Storied Town highlights a different aspect of the city’s evolution, blending myth, history, and culture to offer a rich and comprehensive view of Edinburgh’s past. Here’s a brief summary:
- Time Before Time: Myth and Legend explores Edinburgh’s early mythology, sacred landscapes, and legendary figures like Tennoch and Triduana, alongside Arthurian tales and early literature.
- Measuring Time: Chronicle and Saga looks at early chronicles, the role of David I, Norse sagas, and figures like Thomas the Rhymer and the tragic end of Alexander III.
- The 14th Century: Epic and Romance focuses on national crises and the rise of literary ambition with the Brus and Scotichronicon.
- The 15th Century: Poetry and Song highlights Scotland’s Renaissance poets, including Robert Henryson, Blind Harry, and the ballads, alongside poetic flytings.
- The 16th Century: History and Drama delves into history and drama, featuring figures like Hector Boece, John Knox, and David Lindsay during the Reformation.
- The 17th Century: Other Worlds examines the Union of the Crowns, religious conflicts, and figures like William Drummond, Ben Jonson, Montrose, and Thomas Urquhart.
- The 18th Century: Philosophers, Poets, and Patriots covers the Enlightenment, the Jacobite Risings, and figures like David Hume, Adam Smith, and Robert Burns.
- The 19th Century: A Sense of Change chronicles the contributions of Walter Scott, James Hogg, Thomas Carlyle, and RL Stevenson amid shifts in national identity.
- The 20th and 21st Centuries: City of Stage and Page looks at the cultural evolution through figures like JM Barrie and Hugh MacDiarmid, culminating in Edinburgh’s designation as a City of Literature.
The Author
Donald Smith is a renowned storyteller, founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and an experienced playwright and theatre producer. He was also a founding Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, for which he campaigned over a decade. Born in Glasgow of Irish parentage, Donald Smith was brought up in Scotland, immersed in its artistic and cultural life.
Smith’s non-fiction includes Storytelling Scotland: A Nation in Narrative, God, the Poet and the Devil: Robert Burns and Religion and Arthur’s Seat: Journeys and Evocations, co-authored with Stuart McHardy. His Freedom and Faith provides an insightful longterm perspective on the ongoing Independence debate, while Pilgrim Guide to Scotland recovers the nation’s sacred geography. Donald Smith is currently Director of Tracs (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), based at the Storytelling Centre.
The above was taken from Luath Press website.
The Book
- Title: Edinburgh: Our Storied Town
- Author: Donald Smith
- Illustrator: Cat Outram
- Publisher: Luath Press Ltd
- Publication:
- Digital (30 September 2024)
- Hardback (31 July 2024)
The Review
I’m excited to share my review of this beautifully crafted tribute to Edinburgh as part of the Love Books Tours Virtual Book Tour, running from 18 to 24 November. A big thank you to Love Books Tours and Luath Press for providing both digital and hardback editions of this book and for the opportunity to be part of the Virtual Book Tour.
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites such as Goodreads, StoryGraph, Google Play, Apple Books, Kobo, and of course Amazon and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
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