"I've always enjoyed watching the Buccleuch Hunt." (February 24, 1814)

 “My dear Lord Duke”: Walter Scott (b. 1771) was a regular correspondent of Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch, and attended his funeral at Dalkeith on 17 January 1812 (Walter Scott to Robert Southey, 23 February 1812, The Letters of Walter Scott, edited by Sir Herbert Grierson, 1932–1937, vol. 3, 1811–1814). He was also a long-time friend of the 4th Duke, Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott (b. 1772), “the head of my clan and a kind and benevolent landlord a warm and zealous friend”, and corresponded with Harriet, Duchess of Buccleuch (b. 1773), whom he described as “a lady comme il y en a peu” (Walter Scott to Rev. George Crabbe, 1 June 1813). When Walter Scott was offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1813, he wrote to the Duke to ask his advice (Walter Scott to Charles, Duke of Buccleuch, 24 August 1813). The Duke counseled him to retain his literary independence (Walter Scott to Charles, Duke of Buccleuch, 1 September 1813) and the position went to Scott's friend Robert Southey.

It seems very likely that the Dukes of Buccleuch were on good terms with Claire’s grandparents, whose house is a few miles downstream on Yarrow Water from the Buccleuch residence at Bowhill. Claire’s grandmother, we learn in Chapter 4, was a Scott of Harden. No doubt the Duchess befriended Claire and her sisters when they were adopted into their grandmother’s household six years before the action of An Independent Heart commences. Claire has no business watching the Buccleuch Hunt, however, since Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch (b. 1806) only established it in 1827! His father, the 4th Duke, was more of a cricketer.

Dorothy Dunnett fans are of course familiar with the Buccleuch name: Sir Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch and his son Will Scott of Kincurd both feature in Game of Kings and The Disorderly Knights.

The Buccleuch Hunt still exists. You can follow their (simulated) hunts and other activities on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Buccleuch-Hunt-100057298216858/. 

Imagine this with a pack of hounds streaming over the hillside...
(Photo by Elsie Grant)