His name, image and influence can be seen everywhere; from Scottish banknotes to place names across the globe. Sir Walter Scott invented the modern novel, began Scotland's tourist industry and was the first celebrity author - a heady mix of JK Rowling and Dan Brown long before the age of mass media hype. Lauded by contemporary critics as well as his massive readership in the 19th century, he's hardly read - and even more rarely enjoyed - today.

Stuart Kelly turns his attention to Walter Scott's influence on British politics. A lifelong Tory, Scott was brought in to stage manage the first visit of King George IV to Edinburgh. The pageant he created would cement the Union between Scotland and England and have lasting effects on Scottish customs by promoting the kilt as national dress.

Stuart Kelly was born and brought up in the Scottish Borders. He studied English at Oxford and is the Literary Editor of Scotland on Sunday.

Reader: Robin Laing
Abridger: Laurence Wareing
Producer: Eilidh McCreadie. Show less