Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Book of the Week

Audiobooks

Factual

Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 LW

Book of the Week: Stuart Kelly - Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation

Book of the Week: Stuart Kelly - Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation: Episode 4

Factual: Life Stories

Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation

Episode 4

Stuart Kelly - Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Stuart Kelly - Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation, Episode 4

Sir Walter Scott brings his creative skills to bear when George IV visits Edinburgh.

Stuart Kelly reveals how Sir Walter Scott stage-managed George IV's first visit to Edinburgh, cementing the union with England.

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.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Stuart Kelly examines the powerful images of Scotland created by Sir Walter Scott

Stuart Kelly examines the powerful images of Scotland created by Sir Walter Scott, the world's first celebrity author

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Book of the Week

Stuart Kelly - Scott-land: The Man Who Invented a Nation

Episode 4

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra