August 1871: Sir Walter Scott Centenary Celebrations – Banquet in the City Hall, Glasgow

Back in May of this year, I contacted Professor Alison Lumsden, who

is co-director of the University of Aberdeen’s Walter Scott Research

Centre, which exists to promote all aspects of research on Walter Scott.

 

I thought she might be interested in some of my family history. My great-

great-grandfather, John Fairfull Smith, W. S., who was Secretary to the

Glasgow and South Western Railway, had a house built in Ayrshire close

to the site of the house/ castle in Sir Walter Scott’s Auchindrane Tragedy.

 

She yet has to respond, but I don’t think she will.

 

Also of particular interest to me, is the attendance of my great-uncle

Algernon Wood Smith (Wood-Smith) and his wife at the Sir Walter Scott

Centenary Banquet. It took place in the City Hall, on Wednesday the 9th of August,

1871, as part of the Centenary Celebrations.

 

The following day, The Glasgow Herald provided extensive coverage of the Banquet,

the decorations, music, toasts and speeches over one full page, and almost a whole column

on a second.

 

A report of the Banquet was published, for private circulation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, July 2025.