October in Edinburgh possesses a very specific, slightly woodsmoke-tinged atmosphere (Ok, maybe that’s a touch imaginary, but such is storytelling!). For decades, the cultural rhythm of that month has been blessed by one man’s singular vision. When Donald Smith founded the Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) in 1989, he planted a modest acorn aimed at protecting and promoting Scotland’s oral traditions. Thirty-seven years on, that sapling is a mighty oak. It blossoms with storytelling fruit every autumn, drawing upwards of 40,000 attendees and turning the city into a global focal point for spoken word and traditional arts. Now, Smith is stepping back, and the festival has officially named its new custodian.
Released today to coincide with World Storytelling Day, TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) confirmed that Daniel Abercrombie will take over as Director of the SISF from April 2026. For those of us who spend our Augusts and Octobers haunting the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street, this is uncommonly good news.
A Strategy of Reverence and Risk
I have known Daniel for a few years now. He is a wonderfully personable buddy, a familiar and friendly face across the Scottish arts circuit. More crucially, he is the right man for a tricky job. Inheriting a beloved institution is a delicate operation. The traditional arts sector can occasionally fall victim to its own internal reverence, performing the same formats to the same reliable, ageing audiences.
Abercrombie’s track record suggests a healthy opposition to stagnation. Given his ambitious, future-looking programming for the Storytelling Centre, I expect the beginning of his tenure to be marked by a deep respect for the history and craft of storytelling, paired with a necessary willingness to take exciting risks. He understands how to expand the Festival’s reach to new audiences without alienating the purists who form its bedrock. I know that Donald, the outgoing director, is as pleased as I am to see Daniel step into his shoes as custodian of the event.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Tradfest Pedigree
Abercrombie is already thoroughly embedded in the machinery of the festival. He has operated as Associate Director of the SISF for the past five years, learning the operational realities while driving the wider agenda at the Scottish Storytelling Centre since 2010. Under his watch, the Centre’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme evolved into a thriving platform for storytellers, trad-artists, and much more, consistently delivering first-class creativity amidst the August din. He was also part of the team that led the creation of Edinburgh Tradfest back in 2013.
Steve Byrne, CEO of TRACS, led the recruitment process and confirmed the internal succession strategy today.
“I am delighted to welcome Daniel to the TRACS team after many years of working alongside him in partnership, having long admired his innovative programming work at the Scottish Storytelling Centre,” Byrne commented. “His track record speaks for itself – he is an outstanding candidate whose commitment to traditional arts is first rate. I look forward to seeing SISF flourish under his leadership.”
Modernising the Oral Tradition
The remit of the SISF is broad. It is the world’s largest annual celebration of storytelling, tasked with connecting new and established voices across Scotland and internationally. Abercrombie will now join the Directors of Festivals Edinburgh, bringing an educational background in cultural and literary tourism and a native understanding of the capital’s complex festival ecology.
Beverley Bryant, Chair of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, identified the exact balancing act Abercrombie will need to perform in the coming years.
“Daniel absolutely understands the importance of storytelling; both the tradition and culture we are preserving and the need for storytelling in contemporary settings,” Bryant stated. “He is a passionate advocate of the art form and of the Scottish arts scene more broadly. It will be exciting to see the SISF develop in new ways under his direction.”
October 2026 and Beyond
Abercrombie steps into the role with a clear-eyed view of the festival’s community function and its future trajectory.
“It’s a great joy to be tasked with continuing the great work of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival,” Abercrombie said of his appointment. “I have seen first hand the natural evolution of the festival into the thriving cultural community force it is now and I look forward to being a steward, celebrant and advocate for the great stories, storytellers and traditional artists that make our festival a light in a world in need of stories.”
The 2026 edition of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival will run from 21 to 31 October. We have a few months to wait before the first full programme bearing his exclusive curatorial stamp is revealed. Until then, the transition looks seamless, and the future of Scotland’s spoken word traditions looks to be in highly capable, future-looking hands.
Featured Image: Daniel Abercrombie – Credit TRACS
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