ONE of Scotland’s most celebrated storytellers reflects on his love of words throughout the last eight decades of his life in a brand new memoir.
Minstrel Heart: A Life in Story explores David Campbell’s childhood in Fraserburgh all the way through to his time as a producer with the BBC.
It goes on to the conception of Fort Knox – the first ever multi-arts complex on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – to present day in Edinburgh as a storyteller.
The writer, broadcaster and poet recalls time spent in all corners of the world, from teaching in Scotland and Germany to Israel with the BBC and Australia.
Filled with poems, anecdotes and diary entries, Campbell reveals his life’s story.
The storyteller’s repertoire of tales has ranged from ancient Celtic epics, through stories of adventure and romance, of faith and love, to humorous anecdotes and quirky comic tales.
And at its heart are the people he has met along the way, including Brendan Bracken, Duncan Williamson, Hugh MacDiarmid, Dolina MacLennan, Norman MacCaig and Sorley MacLean among them.
Campbell ties their stories into his with tales of love found, enjoyed and sometimes lost.
Donald Smith, director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre and director of Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, said: “David’s journey takes us through the story of Scotland’s rebirth in all its subversive energy.
“This book is the poetry of memory combined with the art of storytelling.”
Meanwhile, Catherine Lockerbie said the book was “a glorious chronicle,” and added that “Campbell fills the pages with pure delight”.
Born in Edinburgh, he spent his childhood in the story-and-song-rich north east of Scotland.
After graduating with Honours in English from the University of Edinburgh, he worked as a producer with BBC Radio Scotland for many years devising, scripting and directing a wide variety of radio programmes. Campbell has toured worldwide with his repertoire of talks and stories
An online event celebrating the launch of the book takes place tomorrow via Zoom.
Tickets can be bought at www.scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:3817
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