Sir Walter Scott and Mungo Park, by courtesy of John Robertson

 

SCOTT’S SELKIRK PRESS RELEASE:

TODAY’S SHERIFF OF SELKIRK TAKES ON ROLE

AS HIS PREDECESSOR 
SIR WALTER SCOTT

“Walter Scott” takes his seat on the bench in his historic courtroom again at this year’s Scott’s Selkirk (3/4 December) to hear the case against  the Sabbath Breakers and the dispute between the Minister of Ettrick and his Kirk Session over the siting of the new manse.  And the actor taking on his part will feel decidedly comfortable – for this year the great writer and local sheriff will be played by none other than his present day successor in office – Sheriff Kevin Drummond.

Sheriff Drummond says:

“I was happy to accept the invitations to participate, as the links between Selkirk and one of the world’s leading figures of literature is reinforced by Sir Walter Scott being depicted by his successor in office as Sheriff.”

The court cases are written and directed every year by Selkirk writer John Nichol, using authentic source material. All the parts – lawyers, court officials, accused and  witnesses are played by local people. Taking place in the courtroom in Selkirk where Scott himself presided, they have proved the most popular element of this highly successful Georgian pre-Christmas Fair. There will be four performances on each day and tickets will be on sale on the day of the performances only.

This year the Court Cases are being sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates, the professional body which Walter Scott served as Clerk in  addition to his “day job” as Sheriff of Selkirk – and, of course, in between writing all  those novels.

 “Sir Walter” will be sharing his courtroom over the weekend with his friend Mungo Park (played by John Nichol) who will be telling of his hopes for his new African expedition, due to take place in 1805-6.  On both days there will be a lunchtime talk, introduced by Alistair Moffat. On Saturday,  novelist Allan Massie will speak about his fictional autobiography of Walter Scott, The Ragged Lion; while on Sunday 

Tom Freemantle describes his journey in the Steps of Mungo Park: The Road to Timbuktu.  On each day the programme in the courtroom will conclude with a chilling telling of ghost stories by Selkirk writer Julian Colton.

The photograph shows Kevin Drummond as Walter Scott and John Nichol as Mungo Park, in Walter Scott’s Courtroom.  A timetable for 3-4^th December follows.

                      
            11.00   Meet Mungo Park

            11.30      Court Case: The Sabbath Breakers

            12.30      Court Case: the New Manse

            13,15   Lunchtime Talk:

            Allan Massie on Walter Scott: The RaggedLion (Sat)

Tom Freemantle: The Road to Timbuktu (Sun)

14.15      Court Case: The Sabbath Breakers       

15.15      Court Case: The New Manse 

16.00       Ghost Stories: Julian Colton

  

Sir Walter and Mungo Park, courtesy of The Southern Reporter

The court cases at Scott’s Selkirk are sponsored this year by the Faculty of Advocates.

Our thanks go to our major sponsors for this year's event

Belmont Motors - Fireworks

Border Driveways - Street Theatre

Faculty of Advocates - Court Scenes

Buccleuch Heritage Brands - Meg Dodds Kitchen 

Hendricks Gin   -  The Silhouettist