Read the text of his address here > [transcript] >> [bulletin]

Summary of the Speech:

His speech, in honour of Sir Walter Scott, was a profound and deeply personal tribute, reflecting both Scott’s literary genius and human greatness.

Key Points of the Speech:

1. Scott’s Lasting Greatness:

• Buchan declared Scott to be "the greatest of Scotsmen," a writer whose significance endures beyond changing literary trends.
• Unlike other authors who require periodic revivals, Scott’s genius is timeless and ever-relevant.

2. Scott as a Personal and National Figure:

• Buchan, being a fellow Borderer, felt a deep personal connection to Scott, describing him as more than a historical figure but a living presence in Scottish culture.
• He imagined Scott as a ghostly figure on horseback, roaming the Ettrick hills—a testament to how real Scott remains in the Scottish consciousness.

3. Scott’s Sense of Duty and Honour:

• Buchan highlighted Scott’s financial downfall in 1825, when he refused to declare bankruptcy and instead worked himself to death repaying his debts.
• He contrasted Scott’s approach with Thomas Carlyle’s perspective, arguing that Scott’s actions were not merely "brave" but morally right—a manly acceptance of responsibility.

4. Scott’s Common Sense and Realism:

• Despite being a great romantic writer, Scott was also deeply realistic, balancing his soaring imagination with practical wisdom.
• He did not indulge in literary vanity and held himself to the same moral standards as any ordinary person.

5. Scott’s Writing Style and Purposeful ‘Flaws’:

• Buchan defended Scott’s lengthy descriptions, slow heroes, and digressive storytelling, arguing that they provided artistic relief and a connection to real life.
• Even his prosaic characters served as an anchor, keeping the heroic and romantic elements believable.

6. His Approach to the Supernatural:

• Scott’s use of the supernatural was compared to Shakespeare’s, blending mystery with realism.
• While some of his supernatural elements (like the White Lady of Avenel) were less successful, others—such as Wandering Willie’s Tale—were masterpieces of eerie storytelling.

7. Scott’s Scottish Peasants – More than Mere Caricatures:

• Unlike many authors who either romanticised or mocked the Scottish peasantry, Scott depicted them realistically—warts and all.
• His peasants, from Andrew Fairservice to Davie Deans and Meg Dods, were authentic, humorous, and sometimes even heroic.

8. Scott’s Ability to Mix Comedy and Tragedy:

• Buchan noted that Scott, like Shakespeare, understood that true drama includes humour.
• He pointed out Scott’s skill in using anti-climax—such as Redgauntlet’s ending, where the Jacobite dream collapses but is still given a dignified farewell.

9. Scott as the Most Beloved of Scotsmen:

• Buchan concluded by calling Scott the most enviable and beloved of all Scotsmen, comparing him to another great Scottish figure—possibly John Graham of Claverhouse or Robert the Bruce.
• He quoted a historian who said of Scott:
  "He was perfectly gentle, perfectly honest, perfectly fearless, and perfectly true."

Interesting Points Worth Mentioning:

• Scott’s financial struggles and moral integrity: His decision to repay debts instead of taking the "easy" way out is a rare example of true honour in literary history.
• Comparison with Shakespeare: Buchan saw Scott, like Shakespeare, as a writer of both the heroic and the ordinary, with a firm grasp on human nature.
• Defense of Scott’s ‘flaws’: While many critics saw his novels as overly long or his heroes as dull, Buchan argued that these traits grounded Scott’s stories in reality.
• Scott’s role in shaping the modern perception of Scotland: His novels created a lasting image of Scotland’s past, its landscapes, and its people, making him the nation’s literary ambassador.

Conclusion

John Buchan’s speech was not just a tribute to Scott’s literary achievements, but also a celebration of his character and legacy. He portrayed Scott as a man of honour, wisdom, and realism, whose writing continues to inspire and define Scottish identity. 

Read the text of his address here > [transcript] >> [bulletin]

The audio below is from a recording of a talk he gave on Walter Scott to the Book Club in 1932