Sir Walter Scott and his time in The Trossachs, Scotland

Sir Walter Scott - The Scottish Poet and Writer. 1771 - 1832

Author of 'The Lady of the Lake' - and more!

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Sir Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh's 'Old Town' in 1771 to solicitor Walter Scott and his wife Anne. As a child he cought polio and although he recovered he was left crippled in one leg for many years. In 1773 he went to live at his grandparents' farm at Sandyknowe, near the historic ruins of Smailholm Tower, the earlier family home. He learned to read with the help of his his aunt Jenny - and was no doubt influenced by her in the style of his future writings. Perhaps his interest in the ballads and tales of the Borders were firts aroused by his stay at Smailholm.

In 1778 Scott returned to Edinburgh for private education to prepare him for school at the Royal High School of Edinburgh. He was now well able to walk and explore the city and the surrounding countryside. His reading included romances, poems, history and travel books of the time. Later on, his tutor in writing - an enthusiastic student of history, taught him the history of the church with special interest in the Covenanters. This probably contributed further to the topics of his later writings.

In 1797 Scott married Margaret Charlotte Carpenter. They had five children.

Walter Scott's first important work was 'Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border' and as his works became better known he published a book based on an old Borders legend - 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel'. This last made him immensely popular and was followed by a veritable procession of new publications.

He spent some time exploring the Trossachs in Scotland and stayed near Loch Katrine which inspired him to write 'The Lady of The Lake' which encouraged a growing interest in the middle classes of the day to visit the Trossachs to follow the exploits of the heroine of the tale. Some even argued over the route taken by the stag mentioned in that tale.

Several major novels followed before ' Rob Roy' a tale of the Trossachs' legendary hero sold out its first edition in two weeks. Many more well known books were puiblished in the following years, but none had such a long lasting beneficial effect on The Trossachs than those first two mentioned above.

In 1820 Scott was created a baronet. He spent some considerable time touring Europe but after his return to the UK died at Abbotsford in 1832. He was buried beside his ancestors in Dryburgh Abbey.

The Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens is probably the most important landmark in Edinburgh apart from the castle. The skyline of Scotland's capital simply wouldn't be the same without it. Although visitor numbers to the Scott Monument itself aren't very high, it's probably the second most photographed attraction in Edinburgh. If you climb the 287 steps to the top of this 200 foot monument you will be given a cetrificate to prove it!.

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