Download the [transcript] or read the [bulletin] 

Summary of the Speech:

Sir Ludovic J. Grant likened his duty in delivering the toast to the work of Old Mortality and the mystical quest of William of Deloraine—both figures tied to Scott’s imaginative world. He highlighted Scott’s genius, versatility, and enduring literary legacy, describing his impact as almost supernatural. The “Magician of the North” is praised for the breadth and depth of his work: as novelist, poet, biographer, historian, pamphleteer, and more.

Grant argued that Scott's creative range and narrative versatility made him not only a Scottish icon but also a British and international cultural force. He detailed Scott's contributions to national identity, his unparalleled knowledge and erudition, and his influence on Scotland’s reconciliation between Highlands and Lowlands, as well as between Scotland and England.

The address also dwelt on Scott’s personal character—his courage in the face of adversity, physical disability, and financial disaster. Despite life’s many setbacks, Scott displayed an “unconquerable will,” producing works of lasting greatness.

Grant concluded with a reflection on Scott’s transformation from mere author to national unifier, cultural ambassador, and moral exemplar. The speech ended in solemn tribute, asking guests to toast Scott’s immortal memory.

Noteworthy Points

1. Evocative Imagery and Literary Parallels:
   Grant’s opening aligns his own speech with characters from Scott’s fiction—particularly Old Mortality and The Lay of the Last Minstrel. This frames Scott as both a literary and almost mythical figure.
2. Scott’s Versatility:
   He was not only the father of the historical novel (Waverley) but also a poet, biographer, essayist, pamphleteer, and storyteller for all ages and intellects. His work crossed genres and societal boundaries.
3. The “Magician” Metaphor:
   Grant repeatedly refers to Scott as a magician whose “spells” had real-world consequences—reviving Scotland’s historical identity and reshaping cultural landscapes.
4. Scott’s Contribution to Scottish Identity:
   His writings helped reconcile Highland and Lowland Scotland, and even helped to harmonise the Scottish and English identities post-Union, succeeding where politics had failed.
5. Influence Beyond Literature:
   Scott is credited with influencing tourism (e.g. the Trossachs), urban growth (e.g. St Ronan’s Well), and even national unity—comparable in impact to Watt or Davy in science.
6. Remarkable Memory and Erudition:
   His scholarship was largely self-taught and fuelled by genuine curiosity—Scott was presented as a self-made intellectual millionaire who amassed vast knowledge unsystematically.
7. Personal Strength and Fortitude:
   Grant explored Scott’s hardships: physical disability, unrequited love, literary rivalry (notably with Byron), and financial ruin. Despite these, Scott’s resilience and grace elevated him to moral as well as artistic greatness.
8. Final Tribute:
   The speech ends with a call to toast Scott’s memory “with honour, honour, honour to him, Eternal honour to his name,” framing him as equal in stature to Scotland’s greatest heroes.

Download the [transcript] or read the [bulletin] 

Subsidiary Toasts Summary

1. "The Services"
   Proposed by the Master of the Merchant Company, this toast honoured the armed forces.
   Response by Colonel J. B. Sutherland, V.D., who represented the military presence with dignity.
2. "Literature"
   Proposed by Sir John Ure Primrose, former Lord Provost of Glasgow.
   He gave an eloquent defence of literature’s role in enriching life, contrasting the spiritual poverty of the businessperson without literary interest with the intellectual wealth of those who embrace reading throughout life.
3. Reply to “Literature” by Mr William Archer
   Archer gave a humorous and penetrating address, warning of cultural decline if future Scots ceased reading Scott.
   He challenged the pessimism about contemporary literature, citing examples of rich 19th-century writing—Carlyle, Dickens, Thackeray, Tennyson, Browning—and claimed that although today’s writers may not match the giants of the past, modern times require a "literature of power" rather than simply a "literature of pastime."
   He cited figures like H.G. Wells and Bernard Shaw as representatives of this emerging literature.
   Archer imagined a fictional meeting between Scott and Shaw, suggesting the clash in temperaments would make Scott long for the quiet of Dryburgh Abbey—but also argued Scott would eventually embrace the modern world’s literary challenges.
4. "The City of Edinburgh"
   Proposed by Mr Will. C. Smith, with a response from Councillor M‘Michael, standing in for Treasurer Harrison.
5. "The Health of the Chairman"
   Proposed by Lord Ardwall and briefly responded to by Sir Ludovic J. Grant, the President.
6. Evening Entertainment
   Music was provided by Mr Dambmann’s Band.
   Songs were performed by Mr Alfred C. Young.
   The dinner menu featured a portrait of Sir Ludovic Grant on the front and a winter scene of the Braids, drawn by Mr T. Marjoribanks Hay, with artistic design by Mr James Hay.

Noteworthy Points

• Literature as a Lifelong Companion:
  Primrose’s emphasis on the role of literature in “declining years” was a heartfelt reminder of reading as a sustaining force in life, not just a youthful hobby.
• Humour and Cultural Commentary:
  William Archer’s speech was witty and pointed. His reference to oatmeal porridge and Walter Scott in the same breath linked traditional Scottish values with literary heritage. His comments on Shaw and Wells reflect an early recognition of modernism's challenge to Victorian ideals.
• The Shift in Literary Purpose:
  The idea that literature should evolve from “pastime” to “power” reflects early 20th-century anxieties and ambitions—literature not just for entertainment, but for social and intellectual engagement.
• Tradition and Artistic Flourish:
  The inclusion of a custom-designed menu card with original artwork speaks to the aesthetic and commemorative value placed on the event—illustrating how tradition was both respected and visually celebrated.

Download the [Subsidiary Toasts] to read in full.