Sir Walter Scott’s Name in Lights
Back in March, Alex Johnson reported on the Sir Walter Scott celebrations getting underway in honor of the author’s 250th anniversary this year. It officially kicked off with a spectacular light show at Smailholm Tower, created by artist and director Andy McGregor and organized by Scott’s house museum, Abbotsford. You catch watch it at the tail end of the 30-minute video posted here.
There are more exhibitions and events coming up, if you happen to be lucky enough to find yourself in Scotland this summer or fall. Below are some highlights, and a full list is here.
Inspiring Walter Scott: An exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland shows how Scott used historical objects as inspiration. August 6, 2021 to January 9, 2022
Scott’s Day: Music, dancing, storytelling, sword fighting, equestrian displays, and more at Scott’s home at Abbotsford on his 250th birthday, August 15.
Scott and the History of Children’s Literature: This illustrated talk from Museums and Galleries Edinburgh will delve into the archives to uncover some hidden gems and rarities from the histories of Scottish, British, and European children’s literature. Free, booking required. Online at 2 p.m. local time, August 17, 2021.
Scott in the HES Archives: An exhibition of drawings, photographs, and sketches from the Historic Environment Scotland Archives explores buildings and monuments associated with Scott. Opens October 4, 2021.
Scottish Storytelling Festival: The Scottish International Storytelling Festival will celebrate Walter Scott 250 with a selection of live storytelling events, October 15-31, 2021.
From the Baskets of Travelling Pedlars' to Abbotsford: Scott’s Lifelong Love of Popular Print: Scott's library at Abbotsford contains around 3000 popular print items, on topics such as fairy-tales, superstition, politics and song. This online exhibition showcases this material and its significance for Scott’s work, from November 1, 2021-October 31, 2022.
