Tuesday February 10th 2026
Busts of Sir Walter Scott (photo by Lee Live)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club has revived and expanded its celebrated ‘Readings from the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverly Novels’ project. For the first time members of the public are invited to submit recorded readings from the works of Sir Walter Scott for a new national digital archive.
Originally launched in 2009 to mark the completion of the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels, the project saw Scott scholars, writers, readers, and enthusiasts record short extracts designed to convey Scott’s power as a storyteller and to inspire new readers to explore his work. These recordings were published as individual blog pages, forming a unique living archive of voices reading Scott.
The project is now being revived and expanded to cover the wider public, creating a new opportunity for readers across Scotland and beyond to contribute their voices to Scott’s legacy.
Participants are invited to submit recordings of extracts lasting between four and twelve minutes from any of the Waverley Novels. The aim is to create recordings that work as complete narrative or dramatic moments, rather than short quotations — passages that carry atmosphere, character, and story, and which invite listeners into Scott’s world.
The expanded project seeks to reflect the full range of Scott’s writing: from historical drama and folklore to gothic atmosphere, moral conflict, humour, sea narratives, and social realism — presenting Scott not as a monument, but as a living voice.
Treasurer of the Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club, Lee Simpson, said:
“This project was never about academic performance or polished perfection. It was about voice, connection, and storytelling. Scott wrote for people, not institutions.
“By opening this up to the public, we’re inviting readers, performers, teachers, students and enthusiasts to become part of a living tradition — to speak Scott aloud again and let his writing breathe.”
Selected recordings will be published on the Edinburgh Sir Walter Scott Club website as part of a growing digital collection, preserving a contemporary record of how Scott is read, heard, and interpreted today.
The project forms part of the Club’s wider work to promote public engagement with Scottish literature, heritage, and storytelling traditions through accessible, creative participation.
Contributors can find guidance, suggested extracts and submission details here and existing recording from the original project can be explored here.
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