Blair H. Smith’s poetry and prose reflect his experiences of life, love, health and nature. After a gap of around 25 years, his recent return to writing was heralded by his book Stranger Within (Lumphanan Press, 2024).  This is his second formal collection, and his first since the last millennium. He has contributed poetry and prose to various regular publications including Lines Review, the British Journal of General Practice, Hoolet, Yonkly, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and now Poetry Scotland. He has led and co-led writing workshops and readings around Fife and Aberdeenshire, and collaborates with other writers and artists, particularly through Fife Writes and the University of Dundee. He has been shortlisted for a Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Award (2024).

Blair was born, bred and educated in Glasgow, where he graduated in medicine in 1987.  He has pursued a clinical and academic career in Glasgow, Sheffield, Aberdeen and Dundee (where he still works).  A long-term resident of Methlick, Aberdeenshire, he now lives in St Andrews, Fife with his wife Jane. He is a keen amateur musician. In addition to his creative outputs, he has published widely in the form of research papers, reports and book chapters, with a focus on chronic pain and (genetic) epidemiology.