For a compelling story of Edinburgh writers follow the Makars Literary Tour

The Makars Literary Tour, Writers' Museum, Lady Stairs Close by Amanda Hodges


You may have thought the Fringe was over, but buried within the programme's pages there are still a few gems like this show waiting to be unearthed. As a sister venture to the highly-enjoyable pub tour - now a firm Edinburgh fixture - this is the perfect complement, a sort of literary hors d'oeuvre to the main course offered on the established tour.

Next to the Writers' Museum there are several paving stones, inscribed with the names and quotes of famous Scottish writers. How many have stepped over these and given little thoughts to the people who had inspired them? Now help is at hand.

"Makar" is the old Scots word for poet and this witty and fluidly engaging presentation, gives a flavour of Scotland's colourful history, embellished by poetic extracts.

Poet Robert Fergusson born in Edinburgh and who died in aged 24 in 1774, was a source of inspiration for the better known Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson and all three receive their due attention. Scotland's famous native son Sir Walter Scott rightly takes centre stage and it is amazing to think that if he hadn't been chastened by Byron's mastery of the epic poem, he might never have turned his hand to the historical novel.

Vivid, erudite and entertaining, anyone interested in literary history should make an immediate beeline for Lady Stairs Close.