Scottish quote of the week: J.M. Barrie

Published on 11/09/2012 15:50

WRITER and journalist J.M. Barrie (1860 – 1937), best known as the author of Peter Pan, was born in Kirriemuir, Angus.

Despite the fact that his early works were criticised as sentimental descriptions of a Scotland that had been all but obliterated by the Industrial Revolution, his statement that:

“There are few more impressive sights than a Scotsman on the make”

has been interpreted both as a wry compliment, and an insult, made as it was in reference to the flooding of England by Scots in 1603, looking to improve their lot in the wake of the Act of Union.