Donald Smith

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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.

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.

1945 saw the end of the largest atrocities the world had ever seen. The second "war to end all wars." A few fanatical believers worldwide carried on the fight, one of their major objectives being to find and reclaim the Fuhrer's lost amulet. This valuable jewel to their eyes embodied all the old regime's aspirations and could revitalise their whole project so many years later. From across the oceans our London based group of four unwittingly stumbled across a clue to its hiding place, but searching only encourages fierce confrontation to their doorstep. Unsought. Unwanted. But ever present. A fast moving series of events did lead somewhere but at the same time brought to the fore the following strange, age-old question: "Is it really at all possible for an inanimate object to possess destabilising and destructive powers?"

Commissioned especially for Scotland’s Year of Stories, Storm and Shore connects the west coast of Scotland’s rich mythological past with the present day. When artist Lucy Salter comes to a remote Argyll coastline she aims to connect with nature in its wild state. Aid worker Dave McArthur is fleeing traumatic conflict. But they have both ventured into a borderland, layered by history, migration and repressed violence. Itis a liminal place, storied by centuries of settlement and travel.Yet local tradition bearers, bard and seannachaidh, can channel the past. From these hauntings, a storytelling tapestry is woven from the sea, nature myth and weather. The long roots of our global crisis are laid bare in landfalls, wherein the crucible of Gaelic tradition, creatures of the sea meet the shore.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in agriculture.The first chapter considers the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as plant biostimulants in agriculture. It considers the benefits of PGPR, such as their ability to promote plant growth and productivity under both normal and abiotic-stressed induced environments. The chapter also looks towards PGPR application as a sustainable and efficient method to enhance crop production.The second chapter reviews recent research on the use of PGPR as biofertilizers to enhance root function and improve nutrient uptake, with emphasis on their effects on root architecture, metabolism and adaptation to abiotic stress.The third chapter explores the use of microbial bio-effectors and their ability to optimise the mineral nutrition of agricultural crops. The chapter also reviews the wealth of research on the mechanism of action, applications and efficacy of key plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs).The final chapter reviews the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) as a biocontrol agent against invertebrate pests. The chapter analyses the effects of PGPB species against these pest types and enlists a case study on the PGPB species Pseudomonas protegens to further demonstrate this.

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Storyteller Lea Taylor brings together stories from the rugged coastlines, rushing rivers, uplands and sweeping valleys of Midlothian. In this treasure trove of tales you will meet kings and queens, saints and sinners, witches and wizards, ghosts and giants, fools and tricksters – all as mysterious and powerful as the landscape they inhabit. Retold in an engaging style, and richly illustrated with unique line drawings, these humorous, clever and enchanting folk tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

Whether by foot, bike, bus, armchair or car, this book is your perfect travelling companion.Previous Journeys and Evocations books focused on Scotland's capital city, exploring Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill and Edinburgh Old Town.

Storyteller Tim Porteus brings together stories from the rugged coastlines, golden beaches, rolling countryside and dramatic Lammermuir Hills of the ancient county of East Lothian. In this treasure trove of tales you will meet Scottish kings and queens, saints and sinners, witches and wizards, ghosts and giants, fools and tricksters – all as fantastical and powerful as the landscape they inhabit. Retold in an engaging style, and richly illustrated with unique line drawings, these humorous, clever and enchanting folk tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

Two extraordinary women come back to full-bodied life. Flora McIvor has been rescued from the pages of Sir Walter Scott, who sent her to a nunnery. Her close friend, the real life Clementina Walkinshaw, was the love of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and mother of his only child. Both are caught up in a tangle of espionage and treachery following the defeat of the 1745 Jacobite Rising in Scotland.The novel ranges over Europe, and finally to America, showing the international reach of Scotland’s culture and politics. Flora struggles through political failure and personal tragedy towards creative fulfilment in the arts of theatre, and a late discovery of love. In this drama, which combines storytelling with opera, she defies Scott who wrote her out of ‘Waverley’ as a woman without a future.

This lively and entertaining collection of folk tales from the Scottish Borders is rich in stories both tall and true, ancient and more recent, dark and funny, fantastical and powerful. Here you will find the Lochmaben Harper, Tam Linn, Thomas the Rhymer, Muckle Mou’d Meg and Michael Scot the wizard. These well-loved and magical stories – some appearing in print here for the first time – are retold in an engaging style, shaped by James Spence’s many years of storytelling. Richly illustrated and enlivened by the rhythmic Scots language of the region, these enchanting tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

Scotland’s Democracy Trail goes from Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars, down the High Street, across North Bridge to Calton Hill, and then on down to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Apart from its historic significance, the route encompasses Edinburgh’s most dramatic scenery and townscape.The Trail follows the emergence of democratic thought and action in Scotland from the sixteenth century, linking pivotal events to locations on the way. It is a story of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies, borne along by a stubborn persistent advance. Although the roots of democracy run deep in Scotland, here we concentrate on the footprint of democracy in our capital city.

Experience the scenery and folklore of Edinburgh's iconic Old Town through new eyes in the latest installment in the Journeys and Evocations series. This blend of prose, poetry, photography and history is the perfect gift for any visitor to Scotland's capital city.

Lord Cockburn, Victorian defender of Edinburgh’s beauties, describes Calton Hill as ‘the Glory of Edinburgh’. ‘It presents us,’ enthused Cockburn, ‘with the finest prospects both of its vicinity and the city… it is adorned by beautiful buildings dedicated to science and to the memory of distinguished men.’Following on from the success of Arthur’s Seat, the Journeys and Evocations series continues with a look at the events and folklore surrounding Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill. Standing only 338 ft (103m) high, this small hill offers a fascinating view of Edinburgh both literally and historically. The book brings together prose, poetry and photographic images to explore the Calton Hill’s role in radical and nationalist politics through the centuries, as well as taking a look at the buildings, philosophy and intrigue of a central part of Edinburgh’s landscape.

Arthur's Seat is climbed (or walked up and around) by thousands of people each year. The views from the top of the 350-million year old landmark are breathtaking, yet most who tread its rocky paths are unaware of its great mysteries. Where did the name Arthur’s Seat originate? What led Washington Irvine to claim that this was a site of ‘pure witchcraft’? And who concealed seventeen dolls on the hillside in a mock burial? In this memorable book, Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith recount the tales of folklore and customs that surround Edinburgh's tallest hill.

This tale of intrigue and betrayal goes to the heart of events surrounding the Treaty of Union in 1707. Daniel Foe (better known as Defoe), sent to Scotland to sway opinion towards Union, reports to his English spymaster. But Edinburgh is already a hotbed of counter-plots and nascent rebellion. Foe's encounters with a landlady who is not what she seems, and with a beautiful Jacobite agent, lead him to become a novelist, against his better instincts.