Reluctant Scot

In reply to Gordon Crandles (Letters, 11 February), George Orwell did dislike Scotland (perhaps because of his miserable boyhood). He had a great love of England, and hated the fact that his name, Eric Arthur Blair, revealed his origins. He objected to "Eric" with its Norse associations and chose George, as an English-sounding name, and Orwell, the name of an English river, to disguise the fact that by birth he was Scottish.

So, also, were such well known "English" authors as Lord Byron, "born half a Scot and bred a whole one"; Kenneth Grahame; and AA Milne. Rudyard Kipling's mother was a Macdonald, and he was very interested in the Scots language.

On the other hand, Beatrix Potter was inspired by staying in Dalguise House in Perthshire. She wrote there her first illustrated "postcard story", which became Peter Rabbit, and she based Mr McGregor on a neighbouring gardener.

SUSAN FG FORDE

Main Street

Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire