"The Ayrshire Legatees" 

(published in instalments in Blackwood's Magazine 1820-21, and in book form 13 June 1821)
BELOW:  maps of 1820/21

The 'legatees' are the family of Dr Zachariah Pringle. His cousin, Col. Armour, has died in India and has bequeathed the residue of his estate to Dr Pringle. A prompt visit to the London lawyer is needed, so Dr Pringle, with his wife, daughter and son, travel by coach from Irvine to Greenock, by boat to Glasgow, by coach to Edinburgh, and by ship from Leith to London. Read on . . . 

The story unfolds in the form of letters from the different members of the family to their friends at home. As readers, we enjoy the author's perceptive descriptions of life in the metropolis and the contrast with life in Ayrshire. Galt was familiar with London and its people from his years of activity in the capital.

The legacy turns out to be considerable, and initially Dr Pringle and son Andrew are captivated by London society. Mrs Pringle remains practical, and daughter Rachel . . . but we'll avoid spoilers.

In London, the Pringle family witness the funeral of King George III (16 Feb. 1820) - described by history as "a complete scramble" and with crowds described by Rachel Pringle as a "rude and riotous . . rabble".

The new Queen, Caroline of Brunswick, also features - while popular with the British people, she and the King had separate love lives - King George IV's attempt to divorce her by Act of Parliament failed, but she was barred from his Coronation in 1821 and died a few weeks afterwards.

Meanwhile, we are kept up with parallel (fictional) events in Ayrshire . . . again, no spoilers here. When Dr and Mrs Pringle return, now in their own coach, though not with their London footmen, they are warmly welcomed. Thanks to the legacy, Dr Pringle is able to retire, thus enabling the locum minister to progress his own career.

The fictional village of 'Garnock' is probably based on the now-gone village of Bartonholm, but Kirkgate and the Red Burn still exist, so the novel features both real events and real places.

Two maps of 1820/21

published in the years when Galt was writing the 'Legatees'

Ainslie 1821 map

John Ainslie's map, published 1821

John Ainslie (1745-1828), mapmaker and surveyor, surveyed Scottish counties, engraving and publishing maps of a quality which challenged others to make maps clearer and easier to read. He also worked on several civil engineering projects including the proposed Glasgow to Ardrossan canal, shown here in its entirety though never actually completed.

Robertson 1820 map

George Robertson's map, published 1820

George Robertson (c.1750-1832) was active in agricultural affairs in various parts of Scotland. He moved to Ayrshire in 1811, eventually concentrating on genealogical investigations, working in the library at Eglinton Castle and Glasgow libraries. He died at his home, Bower Lodge, near Irvine. This map was published in his book "Topographical Description of Cunninghame" (Cunninghame Press, Irvine, 1820).

John Galt Way

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