Sir Walter Scott: A Writer with Global Appeal
Research StoryWhen novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott died at his home, Abbotsford House near Melrose, in late September 1832, the press in Scotland was full of praise for, as the Caledonian Mercury put it, ‘this illustrious writer’ and ‘great luminary of letters’. Though not normally described as Scotland’s national bard – this being a title
The Scots in Australia
Research StoryThanks to a Visiting Fellowship at the Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University (Canberra), and a grant by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, I got to spend the last two months in Australia, giving me time for some further explorations of the Scots who settled there for my next book, as well as for
Educationalist Learmonth White Dalrymple
Research StoryLearmonth White Dalrymple was the daughter of William Dalrymple and his wife Janet, and was baptised at Coupar Angus at the end of July 1827. Learmonth did not have an easy childhood as her mother’s death, in 1840, meant that much of the daily tasks of caring for the family fell to her (she was
From Stornoway to the Pacific Ocean
Research StoryOn 22 July 1793 explorer Alexander Mackenzie reached the Pacific Ocean from Canada by land in the first crossing of the North American continent – a remarkable achievement. He was born in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in 1764 and, ten years later after the death of his mother, Mackenzie’s father took him to
The Battle of Bannockburn and the Scots Abroad
Research StoryNext year will see the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn and much has already been made of that. There is, for instance, the Battle of Bannockburn Project, a partnership between the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Project seeks to create
Naturalist John Muir and the Preservation of Wilderness
Research StoryScotland saw many a geologist, surveyor and explorer go out into the world charting unknown lands. What is perhaps less well known is that there were also botanists and naturalists who cared for the environment in, for their time, progressive ways. One of them was John Muir. Born in Dunbar on 21 April in 1838,
The Legacy of David Livingstone
Research StoryScottish missionary, explorer and anti-slavery campaigner David Livingstone was born on 19 March 1813 in Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Livingstone came from a humble background and was dedicated to studying from an early age. It was through his education, in fact, that he was able to bring together his interest in medicine and theology with his Christian
Sir Harry Lauder and the Scottish Diaspora
Research StoryOn 26 February 1950 Sir Harry Lauder, the famous Scottish entertainer Winston Churchill once referred to as ‘Scotland’s greatest ever ambassador’, died in Strathaven, Lanarkshire. Lauder’s story is a remarkable, and one that directly connects him to the Scottish Diaspora. Born near Edinburgh on 4 August 1870, Lauder’s mother moved the family to Arbroath after
Happy Halloween
Research StoryHalloween is very much en vogue these days. The tradition of carved pumpkins and scary costumes that is so popular in the United States has clearly influenced celebrations in the UK and even in continental Europe. The custom of celebrating Halloween does, however, have its own roots in Europe, and in Scotland they are particularly