Great Scott!

In 1814, Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel called Waverley. It's a story set in Scotland in 1745, about Englishman, Edward Waverley and his involvement in the Jacobite rebellion and the attempt to restore the Stuart kings to the British throne. Apparently Waverley is commonly regarded as the western world's first historical novel.

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, which was built in 1866, replacing 3 other stations, is the only station in the world named after a novel.

The City of Edinburgh is this year celebrating the 200th anniversary of the novel at the station. It has various Scott quotes around the station on the floors and walkways.

The station were also giving away 25,000 copies of a book telling the story of the author's life yesterday to mark the opening of the Great Scott Campaign. Sadly there were none left today when I went through the station, but I did snap a quote!

Such a fantastic celebration of literature. This is one of the many reasons I love my city.

Perhaps it's time to read some of Scott's work!

Update - the books had been replenished tonight on the way home so I got one! Woo!