· by orkneylibrary.bsky.social ·14h ago · view on bsky.app ↗

Happy 255th Birthday to Sir Walter Scott who was born #otd in 1771. Sir Walter visited #Orkney in 1814 aboard the Northern Lighthouse Yacht Pharos. He described Stromness as a 'little dirty straggling town, which cannot be traversed by a cart, or even by a horse,' So that's a bit unfair.

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A painted portrait of Sir Walter Scott

6 comments — live from bluesky

Orkney Library & Archive · 119 · 14h ago

'We paraded its whole length like turkeys in a string,' Calm down Sir Walter. 'We clomb, by steep and dirty lanes.' Okay that'll do. 'I suppose to satisfy ourselves that there was a worse town in the Orkneys than the metropolis, Kirkwall.' Right. Happy birthday though honest.

stnylan.bsky.social · 0 · 6h ago

It's been over twenty years since I was in either, but Kirkwall holds more memories. Admittedly that might be because an Orcadian friend directed me to an excellent second hand book sale. Priorities and all that :)

craftyprimrose.bsky.social · 1 · 14h ago

The only good thing you'll hear me say about Walter Scott is that although his debts were discharged by being made bankrupt, he continued to pay the money he had owed back, clearing it all before his death. But he was just plain wrong about Orkney. Tssk.

Jonathan Bromley · 1 · 13h ago

You trying to keep Kirkwall exclusive by making it sound unattractive?

cambrian-explorer.bsky.social · 3 · 13h ago

One star Tripadvisor reviews have existed longer than the website...

John Henderson · 0 · 13h ago

I take it anyone who gets his books from your library is made to sit on your big balls in disgrace, wearing a sign saying "Walter Scott borrower".

happychappy2b.bsky.social · 0 · 12h ago

I think the jury is out on his liking Stromness :) Anyone who is unsure should visit Orkney and make a decision for themselves...I am confident as to the verdict.

Kevin Wright · 0 · 12h ago

"The only items we saw during the whole trip that were worthy of any interest, were the balls outside the library in Kirkwall".

Stromness Museum · 2 · 14h ago

😭