The Storyteller
A prolific writer - many of Scott’s works remain classics of world literature.
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Scott’s greatest gift was his talent for storytelling, and he was considered so spellbindingly good at it that he became widely known as ‘The Wizard of the North’. Readers and theatregoers were enchanted by his ability to animate the past by blending historical fact and fiction together seamlessly. So great was this talent that the memorable episodes in his books have sometimes altered our perceptions of landmarks, landscapes, people and events in history, from the outlaw Robin Hood, to popularising the parable of Robert the Bruce and the spider’s web, as Scotland’s warrior king determines to ‘try and try again’ to defeat his enemies.
In his private life and social engagements, Scott was recognised for the same magnetic craft, and it was the dramatic tone of his voice, the animation of his face and the sparkle in his eye that enraptured his audiences. To quote a contemporary, to hear Scott tell stories was like drinking champagne. His home at Abbotsford is a three-dimensional example of his vast storytelling capabilities, ‘a novel in stone’, where the antique, modern and imitation co-exist in unlikely harmony and decisions in design, decoration and craftsmanship are all intended to stimulate conversations, raise eyebrows, communicate messages and make visitors smile.
We make our bread by storytelling, and honest bread it is……
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