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Summary of the Speech:

Stanley Baldwin, then Prime Minister of the UK, opened by expressing deep personal pride and honour in speaking about Scott in Edinburgh. He admitted the difficulty of adding anything new about Scott, but offered a sincere, personal reflection rather than a scholarly critique.

Baldwin recounted how Scott was woven into the fabric of his childhood—his parents' love of Scott, early exposure to Scott’s novels and poems, and his own youthful imaginings shaped by Scott’s romantic characters and landscapes. Scott, to Baldwin, was not just an author but a lifelong companion and moral guide.

He celebrated Scott as the “last great minstrel,” aligning him with the traditions of epic poetry rooted in national memory and oral history. Baldwin admired Scott’s immersion in Border life, his vivid boyhood at Sandy Knowe, and the natural, rustic influences that informed his literary voice. He referenced Ruskin and others to frame Scott as a product of nature, simplicity, and human love.

Baldwin then turned to the novels, especially the Scottish ones—Guy Mannering, Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian—and shared how characters, places, and scenes were real and personal to him. He marvelled at Scott’s astonishing output between 1814 and 1818, noting the depth, vigour, and human insight in his work despite occasional imperfections.

He highlighted Scott’s role in creating a national identity for Scotland through literature and legend, noting how his romanticism influenced even King George IV’s donning of Highland dress in 1822. Scott, Baldwin argued, made Scotland intelligible and beloved even beyond its borders.

In the final section, Baldwin focused on Scott’s character—his honour, simplicity, loyalty, and generosity. He detailed Scott’s response to financial ruin with dignity and courage, and the loyalty of his household during that time. Baldwin saw Scott as an exemplar of love, community, and integrity—qualities that elevated him beyond even his literary genius.

Interesting and Noteworthy Points

• Deeply Personal Tone: Baldwin’s speech is as much a tribute to his own emotional and moral development as it is to Scott’s legacy. He doesn’t just admire Scott—he owes his imaginative and ethical foundation to him.
• “Di Vernon was my first love”: A touching and humanising confession, underscoring the depth of Baldwin’s youthful connection to Scott’s characters.
• National Identity Maker: Baldwin credits Scott with unifying Scotland’s identity and making it legible and admired to the rest of the world, especially England. He even attributes Scotland’s romanticised image—tartan, pipes, clan lore—to Scott’s influence.
• Byron’s Fan Mail: A delightful aside includes Lord Byron’s praise of Scott and how he always travelled with his novels, saying he had read them “forty times.”
• Moral Elevation: Baldwin frames Scott’s romanticism as morally instructive. He cites Cardinal Newman and Principal Shairp to show how Scott’s “romantic character of mind” can, under the Spirit, be transformed into Christian high-mindedness.
• Feudal Soul in Industrial Times: Baldwin highlights Scott’s preference for feudal values—loyalty, honour, obligation—over the money-driven aims of industrial capitalism.
• Scott's Integrity: Even when offered large sums late in life, Scott refused to write on topics outside his expertise. His creative honesty and refusal to “puff” himself are repeatedly praised.
• Emotional Closing: The conclusion compares Scott’s influence to “the wind on the heath,” a natural force that clears confusion and reminds people of what is right and real.

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Subsidiary Toasts Summary

1. Toast to “The Imperial Forces”
Proposed by: Sir Frederick C. Thomson
Sir Frederick celebrated Sir Walter Scott’s patriotism, particularly his role in founding the Edinburgh Light Horse during the Napoleonic Wars. He noted Scott’s deep commitment to national defence and his reverence for the military, highlighted by his visit to the Waterloo battlefield and friendship with Wellington.

He connected Scott’s values to the modern military, commending the courage of contemporary British forces—including those undertaking dangerous missions like mine-sweeping, air evacuations (notably from Kabul in 1928–29), and peacekeeping operations across the Empire. He underlined the enduring duty of Britain’s naval, army, and air forces and the importance of maintaining readiness even during peace.

Reply by: Wing-Commander G.S.M. Insall, V.C.
Insall, a decorated RAF veteran, vividly described the work and sacrifice of the Air Force, especially his old squadron’s role in the Kabul evacuations. He portrayed airmen as modern peacekeepers, suggesting that air travel could foster diplomacy and even prevent war by making conflict "too easy—or too damnable" to contemplate. He closed with a call for increased “air-mindedness” and international understanding.

2. Toast to “The City of Edinburgh”
Proposed by: Professor H.J.C. Grierson
Grierson spoke with wit and warmth about Scott’s connection to Edinburgh—his birth, education, literary inspiration, and his poetic evocation of the city’s dual identity: ancient and modern. He reflected on Edinburgh's intellectual golden age, the influence of Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, and the cultural potential the city still held.

He urged the city to embrace its heritage more fully and emulate places like Salzburg by developing a vibrant, artistic summer season—not for mere tourists, but for lovers of music, art, and literature. He praised Lord Provost Whitson for being culturally inclined and encouraged progress that respects the city’s unique history.

Reply by: Lord Provost Whitson
Whitson reflected on the rich romance and history of the Royal Mile, declaring it a "mile of memories." He highlighted Edinburgh’s wartime contributions and its ever-evolving story. He acknowledged the city’s need for development (offices, infrastructure) but stressed a balance between progress and heritage preservation.

3. Toast to “The Chairman” (Stanley Baldwin)
Proposed by: Mr James Curle
Curle drew on a personal and family connection to Abbotsford and Sir Walter’s faithful servant Tom Purdie, even reading aloud a surviving letter from Purdie. He praised Baldwin for his literary education, moral character, and leadership—likening him to Scott himself. He noted Baldwin’s early love of Scott’s works and said the former Prime Minister shared Scott’s humility, patriotism, and belief in service.

Noteworthy and Interesting Highlights

• Tom Purdie’s Letter: A touching and humorous inclusion—rare primary evidence of Scott’s personal life, offering a glimpse into the simple, loyal character of Scott’s estate manager.
• RAF Kabul Evacuation Mentioned: A real standout, this was a pioneering operation in 1928–29 where over 500 people (mostly women and children) were safely airlifted out of Kabul—remarkable for its scale and zero casualties.
• The “Airplane May End War” Idea: Wing-Commander Insall’s bold reflection that modern warfare might become so destructive and “easy” that nations would instead embrace diplomacy—prescient in tone for 1930.
• Grierson’s Vision for Cultural Edinburgh: A powerful, forward-thinking call to transform Edinburgh into a European centre of arts and music akin to Salzburg, capitalising on its literary heritage.
• Lord Provost’s anecdote about the Royal Mile: Evoked the lingering spirits of Scotland’s past and drew parallels between Scott’s characters and modern Edinburgh’s quirks.
• Acknowledgement of Edinburgh’s full military enlistment: A compelling note—the fact that every fit man in the Royal Mile enlisted voluntarily in WWI before conscription is both remarkable and moving.
• Literary resonance throughout: The speakers constantly referenced Scott’s works, from Redgauntlet and The Heart of Midlothian to Marmion, blending literature, memory, and civic pride into every toast.

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