Walter Scott of Harden (1550 – 1629), also known as Auld Wat, was a notorious

border reiver Border reivers were raiders along the Anglo-Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. They included both Scottish and English people, and they raided the entire border country without regard to their v ...

along the Anglo-Scottish border in the 16th century.

Life

The son of William Scott of Harden, Wat was born in 1550, when he was recognised as his father's heir by ''precept of clare constat'', by Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home, his father's feudal superior. An infamous freebooter, Wat led raids across the

border Borders are usually defined as geographical boundaries, imposed either by features such as oceans and terrain, or by political entities such as governments, sovereign states, federated states, and other subnational entities. Political borders c ...

and against his fellow countrymen. In 1592, he was one of those charged with taking part in an attempt to capture

King James VI James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until ...

Falkland Palace Falkland Palace, in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, is a royal palace of the Scottish Kings. It was one of the favourite places of Mary, Queen of Scots, providing an escape from political and religious turmoil. Today it is under the stewardship of ...

, led by the

Earl of Bothwell Earl of Bothwell was a title that was created twice in the Peerage of Scotland. It was first created for Patrick Hepburn in 1488, and was forfeited in 1567. Subsequently, the earldom was re-created for the 4th Earl's nephew and heir of line, F ...

, and was declared a rebel and outlaw. Scott also participated in the rescue of

Kinmont Willie Armstrong William Armstrong of Kinmont or Kinmont Willie was a Scottish border reiver and outlaw active in the Anglo- Scottish Border country in the last decades of the 16th century. He lived at the Tower of Sark, close to the border between Scotland a ...

, under his chief, Walter Scott of Buccleuch, from

Carlisle Castle Carlisle Castle is a medieval stone keep castle that stands within the English city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1093 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over ...

in 1596. In 1567, Wat Scott contracted to marry Mary Scott, daughter of John Scott of

Dryhope Dryhope is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, by St. Mary's Loch, on the A708. Known for its rolling green hills and ample walking paths. Also home of St Mary's Loch, the largest natural loch in the Scottish Borders. See also *Dr ...

, and known as the "Flower of Yarrow". When supplies were low she allegedly presented a set of spurs on a platter instead of meat, implying that the Scotts should ride out and replenish them from their neighbours' herds. On 28 June 1592, Wat joined the

to attack

James VI of Scotland James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until hi ...

. James ordered his house at Harden to be demolished, along with the houses of

Tinnis Tennis or Tinnīs ( arz, تنيس, cop, ⲑⲉⲛⲛⲉⲥⲓ) was a medieval city in Egypt which no longer exists. It was most prosperous from the 9th century to the 11th century until its abandonment. It was located at 31°12′N 32°14′E, o ...

and Dryhope. Wat married again in 1598 to Margaret Edgar, widow of William Spottiswoode of that ilk, and daughter of John Edgar of Wedderlie.

Issue

Wat Scott had eight legitimate children by his two wives. By his wife Mary Scott: * Sir William Scott *Hugh Scott *Walter Scott *Francis Scott *Margaret Scott *Esther Scott *Janet Scott By his wife Margaret Edgar: *Margaret Scott He is also said to have had three illegitimate daughters.Balfour Paul, vol vii, p75

References

Notes

Sources

*Borland, Rev. Robert
''Border raids and reivers''
Dalbeattie, 1898. * Balfour Paul, Sir James
''The Scots Peerage''
IX vols. Edinburgh 1904.

External links

1629 deaths

Walter Walter may refer to: People * Walter (name), both a surname and a given name * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968) * Gunther (wrestler), Austrian professional wrestler and trainer Walter Hahn (born 19 ...

Border Reivers History of the Scottish Borders Scottish outlaws People from the Scottish Borders Year of birth uncertain 1550 births {{Scotland-bio-stub