250th anniversary of one of its most famous sons, Sir Walter Scott

Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott

"In 2021-22 Scotland celebrates the 250th anniversary of one of its most famous sons, Sir Walter Scott

Nobody has done more to give a nation a sense of itself. Through the mines of his imagination and the magic of his pen, he celebrated the history and landscapes of Scotland in a string of best-selling books that dominated the 19th century.

Scott’s legacy can still be experienced in the most extraordinary and unexpected places across Scotland, from castles to cashmere mills and from mountain tops to moments of mindfulness. Meet the real man behind the monument, whose imagination, integrity and patriotism shaped the Scotland of today."

Now launched the Walter Scott 250 website is now operational.

Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument (online course)

During the early period of COVID-19 containment, many of us discovered a new way to explore interests by taking courses in the comfort of your own home. Something tells me this may be a positive legacy of COVID. Disease was nothing new to Sir Walter Scott, the writer and master of Abbotsford, who experienced loss of five siblings in infancy and a sixth died at the age of five month. Walter’s own challenges with health issues necessitated him being removed from his urban home to recuperate and live with relatives in the countryside when his bout of childhood polio left him lame. Having to deal with his health issues we now know allowed him to experience a part of Scotland unfamiliar to most children living in Edinburgh and triggered a lifelong interest in collecting, countryside exploration, storytelling and history. The molding of the man was clearly in his boyhood which led to his great legacy in historical novels, which continue to cultivate international interest in all things Scottish.

I am currently taking an online course through the University of Aberdeen and FutureLearn called Walter Scott: The Man Behind the Monument taught by Professor Ali Lumsden and Kirsty Archer-Thompson.

Ali is the director of the University of Aberdeen’s Walter Scott Research Centre and Honorary Librarian at Abbotsford while Kirsty is responsible for the collections, interiors and built heritage of Abbotsford.

The course literature indicates that it is a four-week short course and is delivered entirely online via FutureLearn. “You can study anywhere in the world and manage your study hours to suit you. You’ll learn with academics from the University of Aberdeen, the Walter Scott Research Centre, and experts at Abbotsford, Scott’s home in the Scottish Borders.

The course features a range of online resources, including: videos, articles, audio clips, novel extracts, discussions, and quizzes. You’ll spend around two hours per week on this course.”

They indicate that it was originally a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) produced by the University of Aberdeen and Abbotsford. “However, in response to the Covid-19 crisis and the increased demand for armchair learning opportunities, it has been decided to keep this popular course open and free for people to drop into until August. The course will be mentored once a week by tutors during this time, before the launch of a fully-mentored version to celebrate Scott’s birthday in August.

The course has specifically been designed for beginners and there is no prior knowledge of the subject required. It requires no more than two hours of work each week and will provide a comprehensive overview of Scott’s work and legacy, while challenging common misconceptions.”

I have read several biographies of Scott over the years and Abbotsford is a Mecca for me but I continue to learn new things about the character and mind of the great bard. Not only did he have a great mind for detail and a prolific writing ability but he had a direct connection to the land in his exploration as a countryside rambler and collector. Walking the trails he created in his woods at Abbotsford is a great way to commune with his love of the land.

Currently I am still taking the course and we are examining the early years that prepared Scott for the life of the writer. The course materials tell us that:

“He collected historical artefacts. He later read relevant historical documents in Register House, and had friends transcribe relevant manuscripts in the British Museum. Scott's greatness as scholar and writer comes from his imaginative ability to synthesize these different kinds of historical evidence to create narratives in which detail is used to reveal the way in which people in the past construed their world and invested it with meaning.”

The course covers the work and legacy of Walter Scott under topics like:

·         Scott as a collector

·         Relationship between Scott’s home at Abbotsford and storytelling

·         Connections between Scott’s work and landscape, history and nationhood

·         Curating Scott’s legacy

 The website address is

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/walter-scott

Scott Clan Gathering 2014 - Scotland

River Tweed at Abbotsford House

It was very special to return to Scotland in June and attend a gathering of Scott Clan which was held between Bowhill House, the Borders home to the Chief of Clan Scott, Duke Richard Scott and Abbotsford House, historic home of Sir Walter Scott.

Desk and Study Where Sir Walter Scott Did Much of His Writing.

Abbotsford Historic Home of Sir Walter Scott

Abbotsford being newly restored with the addition of an interpretative centre and the conversion of a family wing into accommodation has put the operation on the tourist radar once again as a top literary mecca and now, a wedding venue.

Hope Scott Wing

The accommodation wing was added to the historic house by Sir Walter's granddaughter, and is now called the Hope Scott Wing.


It was a very special opportunity to stay in the Hope Scott Wing, along with other members of Clan Scott Society.

The Sir Walter Scott room at Bowhill House

Bowhill House

Events included two days of touring Scott Country in the Scottish Borders, with knowledgeable guides and special events and dinners hosted at both Bowhill and Abbotsford.

Tours of both houses - real treasure houses - set in the countryside, remains a major highlight.

With Scotts in attendance from around the world, it was a reminder how Scotland remains an important ancestral connection for many Scottish families no matter how many generations ago their ancestors left to pursue new opportunities in distant lands.

To be warmly welcomed back to an area that remains so rich in ancestral area for Scotts was much appreciated.

Bowhill House

Newfoundland & Labrador - Scott Names

Here are the entries in the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland & Labrador, for individuals with the surname Scott.
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Scott, Adam

(1823-1881). Educator. Born Canonbie, Scotland. Scott came to Newfoundland in 1852 as headmaster of the newly established General Protestant Academy. The Academy had been founded under provisions of the Academy Act of 1851, which provided for the establishment of a General Academy, divided on denominational lines into three branches, one for each of the Roman Catholic, Church of England, and ``General Protestant'' denominations. The last named initially comprised Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians, but when in 1852 the Methodists set up their own school, the General Protestant Academy became the domain solely of Congregationalists and Presbyterians. (See PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE.) It was as headmaster, often the sole teacher, of this institution, situated on Queen's Road in St. John's, that Scott, a long-standing member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, presided for more than quarter of a century.
Although the Academy was technically administered by an appointed Board, Scott appears to have been left to preside single-handedly over all aspects of the school's operation, including the disposition of its curriculum. The Board, however, was responsible for dispensing the moneys necessary to fund the school's operation and upkeep. When in 1873 it failed to do this to Scott's satisfaction, he wrote it a highly critical report on the school's physical condition. When, a year later, help had not materialized, Scott resigned, but later withdrew his resignation. In 1876 a new Education Act made the curious provision that the rights of the two denominations responsible for the Academy would be recognized for a period of 20 years and ``as long thereafter as Adam Scott, Esq., the present master of the General Protestant Academy, shall live'' (Rowe). Because of ill health, Scott retired in the following year. Petitioned to reconsider, he wrote in reply, ``After conducting the G.P. Academy for a quarter of a century, I do not feel disposed to enter into any engagement to teach. I prefer to be free'' (Minutes: Aug. 4, 1877). Described as ``A gentleman of keen observation and considerable literary acquisition, a good citizen in every meaning of the term'' (Royal Gazette), he died at St. John's on October 22, 1881, whereupon the Board awarded his widow an annual allowance of £30.
F.W. Rowe (1952),
Ian S. Wishart (1993),
Royal Gazette (Oct. 25, 1881),
St. Andrew's Church archives, St. John's (Minutes of the Board of the General Protestant Academy, 1858-1893).
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Scott, George Gilbert

(1811-1878). Architect. Born Gawcott, Buckinghamshire; son of Thomas Scott. Scott was a member of the High Church party of the Church of England and was one of the most famous Gothic architects in nineteenth-century Europe. He was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1859, and served as president of the Institute from 1873 to 1876. He was knighted in 1872. It was Scott's design that was chosen by Edward Feild qv for the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist qv in St. John's. (Feild rejected a design by James Purcell qv which had been approved by his predecessor, Bishop Spencer). During his career, Scott was involved in over 700 design or restoration projects. His books include A Plea for the Faithful Restoration of Ancient Churches (1850) and Medieval Architecture (1879).
DCB VIII (James Purcell),
DNB (XVII).
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Scott, James Banks

(1880-1939). Mariner; union organizer. Born St. John's. As a marine engineer sailing out of St. John's, Scott was at one time a member of Capt. Robert Bartlett's qv crew. In 1908-09 he was second engineer aboard the Roosevelt, the ship which Bartlett commanded for Robert Peary on a lengthy expedition to the north pole. Scott returned to St. John's, but in 1916 moved to Grand Falls. He worked as a machinist in the paper mill and became prominent on the local labour scene. He helped found the Grand Falls branch of the Newfoundland *Industrial Workers Association qv and, in 1919, the Grand Falls Co-op. From 1919 to 1937 he was an executive officer of local 63 of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers. This local was involved in a strike in 1921, which ended without any concessions being gained from the company. President on several occasions, he helped keep the local functioning during the 1920s and 1930s. Scott was a delegate to the founding convention of the Newfoundland Trades and Labour Council in 1937.
Robert E. Peary (1910),
DNLB (1990),
Grand Falls Advertiser (Aug. 26, 1939).
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Scott, John

(1840-1901). Roman Catholic priest. Born Limerick, Ireland. Educated St. Bonaventure's College. Scott first came to Newfoundland with Bishop John T. Mullock qv. After completing his education in St. John's, he was ordained a priest in 1863. He was an assistant to Father O'Keefe in Brigus and acted as curate to Dean Cleary on the Southern Shore. After two years in the outports, Scott was appointed to St. Patrick's church in St. John's. With the support of Bishop M.F. Howley qv he was named monsignor and after his investiture embarked on an extensive European and American tour. He died in St. John's, where he had spent 36 years in pastoral work.
H.M. Mosdell (1923),
Hutchinson's Newfoundland Directory for 1864-65 (1864),
NQ (July, 1901).
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Scott, Patrick J.

(1848-1899). Lawyer; politician. Born St. John's. Educated St. Bonaventure's College. Married Eleanor Margaret Little. Scott studied law in the 1860s with George J. Hogsett and with his brother-in-law John Little qqv. Admitted to the Newfoundland bar in 1872 he was later made Queen's Counsel. He entered political life in 1873 as a member of the anti-confederate and largely Roman Catholic Liberal party. Elected as a candidate in St. John's West, Scott sat in the House of Assembly as a member of Charles F. Bennett's qv government. He was re-elected by acclamation in 1874 and 1878. While a member of the Liberal opposition he earned a reputation as an orator and financial critic of the Conservative governments of F.B.T. Carter and William V. Whiteway. During the 1882 elections the Liberals allied themselves with the pro-railway party of William V. Whiteway, but in the aftermath of a sectarian riot in Harbour Grace Scott and other Catholic Liberals withdrew from the alliance.
Re-elected for St. John's West in 1885, Scott became the spokesman for those members who, though they sat in the opposition, were generally sympathetic to the administration of Robert Thorburn. Scott accepted an invitation by Thorburn to attend talks to discuss the prospects of union with Canada, though he was himself an avowed anti-confederate. Scott soon became involved in the rivalry between politicians Moses Monroe and Edward P. Morris qqv by supporting Monroe in municipal elections. Monroe won the municipal election, but Scott lost his seat in the House of Assembly to Morris in 1889. In 1893 Scott was again defeated in his old district, but later won a by-election. When a ``caretaker'' Liberal administration was formed, by Daniel J. Greene qv, Scott was given the appointment of Receiver General, and retained the position when Whiteway returned to power. Whiteway's government was defeated in the general election of 1897, Scott himself being defeated in the district of Placentia and St. Mary's. He then returned to private legal practice. He died while attempting a political comeback in a by-election in the district of St. John's East.
DCB XII,
ET (Oct. 23, 1899).
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Scott, Peter

(1948-). Botanist. Born Toronto, son of John Scott and Marjorie C. Davis. Educated University of Alberta; Memorial University of Newfoundland. Scott moved to Newfoundland at an early age. A professor of botany and genetics at Memorial University, his first book, Conifers of Newfoundland, was published by the University's department of biology. In 1975 Some Edible Fruits and Herbs of Newfoundland was published by the Oxen Pond Botanic Park. It was re-issued by Breakwater Books in 1978. Scott has also written Boreal Flora: Vascular Flora of Newfoundland and Newfoundland Gardening. He has appeared regularly as a gardening consultant on CBC Radio and has been active in several community projects, including Oxen Pond Botanic Gardens and the Freshwater Resources Centre in Pippy Park, has conducted vegetation analysis for the national Green Plan, and has served on the Canadian Global Challenges research panel. In 1992 he designed the heritage garden for Campbell House in Trinity. Scott was awarded the Southcott Award for Heritage preservation in 1993.
Peter Scott (1975; 1978; interview, June 1993),
ET (Mar. 13, 1967).
--------------------
Scott, Robert

(1835-1913). Merchant. Born Glasgow, Scotland. Married Mary Caroline Lucas. Scott was an agent for Walter Grieve and Company until around 1865, when he established himself as a trader at Fogo. Between 1867 and 1.105 he registered 12 vessels at St. John's. Along with his general fishery supply business, Scott operated a passenger and freight service to and from Fogo Island. He was for many years magistrate, justice of the peace and collector of customs at Fogo. Scott died in January 1913.
Mildred Howard (1980),
DNLB (1990),
Newfoundland Directory (1864-1904),
Maritime History Archive (Newfoundland Shipowners File).

2014 Clan Gathering - activities (June 28 - 30, 2014)

Announcement from the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations:

The pieces of the 2014 Clan Gathering are finally being shaken into place - and the resulting picture is actually pretty exciting. While it has taken some time for the concept of the 2014 Clan Gathering events to materialize, the developing vision and approach are fresh and energetic.
The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (SCSC) has released a press release that speaks to the current plan in broad terms. CLICK HERE to read the SCSC press release.

Here are the highlights:

1. Previous plans for a Gathering at Stirling on July 11 -13, 2014 have been scrapped. The highland games scheduled for that weekend will, we understand, continue, but there is no longer any "Gathering" event being planned at Stirling.

2. The revised plan is to center a general clan gathering directly around the Bannockburn 700th Anniversary activities (June 28 - 30, 2014). An extra day of reenactment has been added to accommodate the clans. Additionally, a Clan Village is now in the works. Bannockburn events are being very capably organised and designed by The National Trust for Scotland and promise to be spectacular (See for yourself at the NTS Battle of Bannockburn website HERE). Bannockburn is a natural pairing for the second Gathering as is explained in the SCSC press release.

3. The Bannockburn gathering activities will be complemented with several regional Clan based events that gather clans and celebrate history and heritage all across Scotland. There are already some very exciting ideas well into development.

4. Finally, the clans will convene a 2nd International Clan Convention to coincide closely with the Bannockburn gathering activities and to conduct the continuing business of the international Scottish clan community.

This is a developing story and we will continue to bring you updates as we can, but here are just a few thoughts and a bit of background and perspective for now:

Background
In putting together the upcoming Stone Mountain Chiefs and Clans conference set for Oct. 19th at the Stone Mountain Highland Games, it occurred to us (COSCA and SCSC) that there was still precious little further to report about plans for the 2014 Gathering. It actually was occurring to many people. Oh Oh.

So, several months ago, we began to make our voice of concern heard as well as our offer to help. The upshot is this: SCSC, through the keen leadership of Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, is now deeply and rightly integrated in the correct channels and places in Scotland to begin to kick start and directly influence planning efforts.

What's Different Now
"More details will be coming". Of course we have all heard that before. But here is what is different and very encouraging now:

1. We have Dates and a Place to Gather. We have pretty solid dates and a place/event around which to now organise, and as you point out, it's a good one (Bannockburn). The event is well funded, well directed by National Trust for Scotland, and will be by all appearances, spectacular and energizing. It is solid. Truly something to remember and pretty much something to travel to Scotland in 2014 for, all by itself (CLICK HERE). COSCA will continue working to encourage integration of the clans into Bannockburn events in creative and exciting and meaningful ways.

2. We Have Leadership. We now have a very effective and very reliable pipeline for information and ideas and input straight to the very
center of planning for 2014: Sir Malcolm MacGregor currently sits on the right committees and in the right meetings to really communicate and advocate for the clans and greater Diaspora interest. The SCSC is an outstanding partner.

3. We Have Partners. The Scottish Government has been extremely responsive to our concerns and we are confident that we have found an able and effective partner with which to work on 2014 heritage events. We will continue to work with the Scottish government through Robin Naysmith here in North America and the Homecoming 2014 team in Scotland in fine fashion.

4. We Have Ideas. The idea of regional events swirling around the Bannockburn dates and a 2nd International Clan Convention is, to me at least, a truly exciting one. While Bannockburn will give us the opportunity to gather together, the idea of a feast of regional gatherings in various clan homelands around Scotia is tremendously appealing. I believe the possibilities are truly limited only by our own creativity and the idea has real legs within the planning team.

5. We Have Goals. This experience has re-emphasised something that our great friend Robert McWilliam openly suggested to the first Clan Convention in 2009 and that many of us have often contemplated: The Clans need a hame in Scotland - a place that will provide a home and reliable opportunity to gather and conduct our business that lies under our own control.

6. We Are Working. This experience has also drawn together a growing alliance of Scottish Diaspora leaders and organisations that will prove critical in future months and years as we tackle all of the opportunities and challenges of which we so often speak.

I hope the take away from all of is indeed an exciting and optimistic one. I clearly understand that the early announcement of dates from Scotland has created difficulties for some folks who have made plans. Here is the lesson: the clans need much closer - indeed direct - involvement in the 2014 planning process itself. I am quite confident that we now have that and we will continue work to enhance it.

Yours aye,
Susan L. McIntosh, President
Council of Scottish Clans & Associations

Clan Scott - BBC video

This was produced by BBC as part of a television series on the Clans of Scotland. The full show on Clan Scott is now available on You Tube. Hope you enjoy it.

Clans 2014! - An International Gathering of Clans - July 11 - 13, 2014

Stirling, Scotland  

AFTER A LONG ANTICIPATION, IT IS OFFICIAL: Stirling Council has  followed on to EventScotland's recent announcement of funding for  Scotland's 2014 Year of Homecoming with a huge announcement of their  own: Stirling will host an international gathering of clans, proposed  for 11 - 13 July 2014 to coincide with the Sekonda Stirling Highland Games.  The 2014 clan gathering is envisioned to take place across a number  of venues in Stirling, and is planned to feature:     

* Clans Village     

* Cavalcade procession between the Clan Village and the Castle     

* Entertainment on the Esplanade     

* A program of musical and other cultural events in other key venues  From the looks of it, things are going to be absolutely hopping in  Scotland in 2014, especially in Stirling. In addition to all of the  regular cultural and entertainment events in the area, and in  addition to Clans 2014 International Clan Gathering, Stirling Council  plans to add the following events in 2014:     

* A packed Bannockburn 700 Weekend, featuring re-enactments, the  official opening of the National Trust for Scotland's new Visiter Centre     

* A potential youth arts festival and schools event     

* A "Stirling Tastes Good" food and drink festival in September     

* A potential angling festival Of course, the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs has already  committed host to a 2nd International Clan Convention to conduct the  global business of the Clans, in 2014, most likely also in Stirling  and well coordinated with Clans 2014, Bannockburn 700 etc. COSCA and  Standing Council will partner in America to ensure that American  Scots are well integrated into all of the 2014 events, especially the  Clan Convention.  This is going to be fun. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes  available. Buy more luggage. Go here to take a peek at Stirling Council's excellent 2014 website: 

 http://www.stirling2014.co.uk/ 

Yours, aye!  - Susan L. McIntosh, President