Revealed: Scott's Waterloo souvenirs

Published on Sunday 15 June 2008 22:09

HE FAMOUSLY set off for the scene of the Battle of Waterloo as soon as he heard of Napoleon's defeat at the hands of the Allies in 1815.

Along with a poem based on the testimonies of soldiers, Sir Walter Scott also returned to Scotland with four flags he retrieved from the Belgian battlefield.

But their existence has largely been kept secret as they were hidden away at his famous Borders home, Abbotsford, where the celebrated poet and author wrote some of his most famous works – including Waverley, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe.

Plans to put them on display are now being drawn up after they were found in a search of Abbotsford by a new trust which has taken over its running.

Larry Furlong, custodian of the trust, said the banners – one French and three British – had been stored in a cupboard between Scott's study and his library.

It is believed only a handful of people have been aware of their existence since they were brought to Abbotsford.

Mr Furlong said: "The banners are obviously extremely rare indeed and aren't in a great condition.

"They may need some restoration work before they go on display for the first time."

Edinburgh-born Scott had been among the first British civilians to view the battlefield, where he began work on his poem, The Field of Waterloo, proceeds of which were to aid widows and the orphans of soldiers.

Plans are now being drawn up to put the flags on public display along with the existing treasure-trove of artefacts at Abbotsford, including Rob Roy's broad-sword, sporran and gun, and an 18th-century clock owned by Marie Antoinette.

Abbotsford was first opened to the public in 1833, five months after Scott's death. But its future has been uncertain since the death of his last direct descendent, Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, four years ago.

About 10 million is needed to restore Abbotsford to its former glory, with an application for Heritage Lottery Funding expected in the autumn.

Members of the Abbotsford Trust, headed up by the Duke of Buccleuch, had no idea the banners even existed.

Jacquie Wright, executive member of the trust, said: "These banners were collected by Scott himself when he visited the field of battle, and he also subsequently met and dined with the Duke of Wellington."

FACT BOX

FOUGHT on Sunday 18 June, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo decisively saw the end of 26 years of hostilities between the France and other European powers.

The phrase "facing my Waterloo" has come to mean facing defeat, and features in the lyrics of Swedish pop group ABBA's 1974 Eurovision-winning song, Waterloo.