Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Documentary series exploring the lives of Scottish writers. Andrew Marr looks at Walter Scott, a prolific novelist, poet and political fixer.

As Scotland stands on the brink of a momentous decision, Andrew Marr explores the writers who have reflected, defined and challenged Scottish national identity over the last 300 years.

Andrew examines the life of Walter Scott, a prolific novelist and poet who wrote swashbuckling tales of romance and derring-do, which sold by the bucket load, both north and south of the border. But he is less well known as a political fixer who believed in a proud Scotland inside the United Kingdom. He brought King George IV to Scotland and swathed him in tartan, helping to create an enduring myth of Scotland as a land of romance populated by a brave race doing brave deeds, all clad in the kilt. An image that centuries later, Scotland is still trying to shake.

59 minutes

Clips

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Andrew Marr
Producer Fatima Salaria
Director Fatima Salaria
Series Producer Matthew Springford
Executive Producer Jonty Claypole
Writer Andrew Marr
Writer Fatima Salaria

Broadcasts

Featured in...

#LovetoRead

#LovetoRead

Features and programmes for the campaign celebrating the pleasures of reading

How do we go about bringing literature to the screen?

Andrew Marr discusses the challenges faced in making the programme Great Scots