Visit of King George IV to Scotland

The 1822 visit of King George IV to Scotland was the first visit of a reigning monarch to Scotland since 1650. Government ministers had pressed the King to bring forward a proposed visit to Scotland, to divert him from diplomatic intrigue at the Congress of the Nations in Vienna. The visit increased his popularity in Scotland, turning his subjects away from the rebellious radicalism of the time. However, it was Sir Walter Scott's organization of the visit with the inclusion of plaided pageantry that was to have a lasting influence, by elevating the tartan kilt to become part of Scotland's national identity.

Outcome

While the King's one kilted appearance was to be ruthlessly caricatured creating a memorable image of "our fat friend" being hoisted onto a horse, the effect of the event wryly described as "one and twenty daft days" was an increase in goodwill and a new-found Scottish national identity uniting Highlander and Lowlander in sharing the iconic symbolism of kilts and tartans. The pride of the Clan chieftains in their heritage was reinvigorated, but there was no check in the progress of the Highland clearances.

Related Topics:
Scottish national identity - Kilts - Tartan - Highland clearances

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