Annotation:George the IVth's Welcome to Scotland

Back to 

 GEORGE THE IVth'S WELCOME TO SCOTLAND. Scottish, Reel. B Flat Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). ABB. In 1822 king George IV visited Scotland, staying at Dalkeith for some days instead of the usual royal residence of Holyrood House. It was the first time a Hanoverian monarch visited the country. He was entertained by Walter Francis Montegu-Dougals-Scott, the 5th Duke of Buccleuh who was only sixteen at the time (having held the dukedom since age 13). It was not the last time the Duke entertained royalty, for twenty years later Queen Victoria also visited him at his seat. George IV's visit inspired much notoriety and activity in Scotland, and Dalkeith was decorated and spotless. It is said that during his stay lamps lit the entire road from Dalkeith house to Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the king caught a cold while there, and after he left the main house entrance was closed and remodeled to cut down on drafts.  Source for notated version: "From Nicolson's Collection" [MacDonald].  Printed sources: MacDonald (The Skye Collection), 1887; p. 133.  Recorded sources:

Back to