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John Burnet of Barns
The turbulent 'Killing Times' of the Covenanters is the backdrop to a desperate struggle between lifelong rivals.
John Burnet of Barns, the last of an ancient line of Border Reivers, returns home from abroad to find himself denounced as an agent of the Covenanters. Outlawed and deprived of his inheritance by his ruthless cousin, Captain Gilbert Burnet, John must now fight just to survive.John Buchan's first full-length work of fiction is a tale of adventure in the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson.
John Burnet of Barns, the last of an ancient line of Border Reivers, returns home from abroad to find himself denounced as an agent of the Covenanters. Outlawed and deprived of his inheritance by his ruthless cousin, Captain Gilbert Burnet, John must now fight just to survive.John Buchan's first full-length work of fiction is a tale of adventure in the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1898
About the author
John Buchan
1,686 books491 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
John Buchan was a Scottish novelist, historian, and Unionist politician who served as Governor General of Canada, the 15th since Canadian Confederation.
As a youth, Buchan began writing poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, publishing his first novel in 1895 and ultimately writing over a hundred books of which the best known is The Thirty-Nine Steps. After attending Glasgow and Oxford universities, he practised as a barrister. In 1901, he served as a private secretary to Lord Milner in southern Africa towards the end of the Boer War. He returned to England in 1903, continued as a barrister and journalist. He left the Bar when he joined Thomas Nelson and Sons publishers in 1907. During the First World War, he was, among other activities, Director of Information in 1917 and later Head of Intelligence at the newly-formed Ministry of Information. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Combined Scottish Universities in 1927.
In 1935, King George V, on the advice of Canadian Prime Minister R. B. Bennett, appointed Buchan to succeed the Earl of Bessborough as Governor General of Canada and two months later raised him to the peerage as 1st Baron Tweedsmuir. He occupied the post until his death in 1940. Buchan promoted Canadian unity and helped strengthen the sovereignty of Canada constitutionally and culturally. He received a state funeral in Canada before his ashes were returned to the United Kingdom.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 29, 2020
John Burnet of Barns is written in the first person and set in 17th century Scotland at a time of political and religious turmoil. Its hero is a boy from Tweeddale with interests – fishing, walking – very similar to Buchan’s own. The reader witnesses John’s first meeting with local laird’s daughter, Marjory Veitch, their childhood games and, as he grows older, his growing affection for her. However,John comes to fear he has a rival in the person of his cousin, Gilbert Burnet. Rightly, as it turns out.
Initially John goes to study in Glasgow but, seized by a desire to travel, sets off for the Low Countries to continue his studies in Leyden. His studies are cut short by a plea from Marjory to return home where dastardly doings have been taking place (courtesy of guess who?). Setting foot back in Scotland, John finds himself unjustly declared an outlaw and pursued by soldiers. He is forced to takes to the hills leaving Marjory in the care of trusty companion, Nicol Plenderleith.
John has a number of narrow escapes and fortunate rescues whilst being chased across the Scottish countryside (in the manner of Buchan’s later and more famous character, Richard Hannay). There are detailed descriptions of John’s travels across various terrains, in fair weather and foul. A few too many detailed descriptions, if I’m honest, although it clearly demonstrates Buchan’s knowledge of the area in which the novel is set. Some of the dialogue, especially that of John’s companion Nicol Plenderleith, is rendered in broad Scots which may prove an obstacle for readers. I also have no idea why Buchan chose to have two characters who go by the name Gilbert Burnet – one of which is his sworn enemy and the other who helps him achieve his ambition of studying abroad.
Buchan shows his talent for creating exciting scenes including a battle in a gypsy camp, a duel with a one-eyed man and a dramatic cave collapse. And for depicting scenes of Scottish life such as a bowls match and the impact of the River Tweed in full spate. Buchan’s passion, shared with John Burnet, for the landscape of Tweeddale is evident in lyrical passages such as this:
“The goodly valley, all golden with evening light, lay beneath me. Tweed was one belt of pure brightness, flashing and shimmering by its silver shores and green, mossy banks. Every wood waved and sparkled in a fairy glow, and the hills above caught the radiance on their broad bosoms.”
Throughout the book, John does not ally himself strongly with one side or the other in the political and religious conflicts of the time. He considers himself a ‘King’s man’ more as an expression of instinctive loyalty. As Buchan’s biographer, Janet Adam Smith, notes John conforms to the pattern of other Buchan heroes by being a ‘passionate moderate’. Furthermore, in tempering his hatred for his enemy with a degree of admiration for his courage, John foreshadows later Buchan heroes who manage to retain a surprising respect for people out to kill them.
Does our hero John Burnet get the girl? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out although John’s later description of Marjory and he as “comrades on the road, to cheer each other when the feet grow weary” perhaps gives you a clue.
I was more favourably impressed by John Burnet of Barns than I expected given it’s such an early novel. It has its flaws but the story is an engaging historical adventure/romance with more than a touch of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped or Catriona about it. (Buchan was a great fan of the author.)
Initially John goes to study in Glasgow but, seized by a desire to travel, sets off for the Low Countries to continue his studies in Leyden. His studies are cut short by a plea from Marjory to return home where dastardly doings have been taking place (courtesy of guess who?). Setting foot back in Scotland, John finds himself unjustly declared an outlaw and pursued by soldiers. He is forced to takes to the hills leaving Marjory in the care of trusty companion, Nicol Plenderleith.
John has a number of narrow escapes and fortunate rescues whilst being chased across the Scottish countryside (in the manner of Buchan’s later and more famous character, Richard Hannay). There are detailed descriptions of John’s travels across various terrains, in fair weather and foul. A few too many detailed descriptions, if I’m honest, although it clearly demonstrates Buchan’s knowledge of the area in which the novel is set. Some of the dialogue, especially that of John’s companion Nicol Plenderleith, is rendered in broad Scots which may prove an obstacle for readers. I also have no idea why Buchan chose to have two characters who go by the name Gilbert Burnet – one of which is his sworn enemy and the other who helps him achieve his ambition of studying abroad.
Buchan shows his talent for creating exciting scenes including a battle in a gypsy camp, a duel with a one-eyed man and a dramatic cave collapse. And for depicting scenes of Scottish life such as a bowls match and the impact of the River Tweed in full spate. Buchan’s passion, shared with John Burnet, for the landscape of Tweeddale is evident in lyrical passages such as this:
“The goodly valley, all golden with evening light, lay beneath me. Tweed was one belt of pure brightness, flashing and shimmering by its silver shores and green, mossy banks. Every wood waved and sparkled in a fairy glow, and the hills above caught the radiance on their broad bosoms.”
Throughout the book, John does not ally himself strongly with one side or the other in the political and religious conflicts of the time. He considers himself a ‘King’s man’ more as an expression of instinctive loyalty. As Buchan’s biographer, Janet Adam Smith, notes John conforms to the pattern of other Buchan heroes by being a ‘passionate moderate’. Furthermore, in tempering his hatred for his enemy with a degree of admiration for his courage, John foreshadows later Buchan heroes who manage to retain a surprising respect for people out to kill them.
Does our hero John Burnet get the girl? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out although John’s later description of Marjory and he as “comrades on the road, to cheer each other when the feet grow weary” perhaps gives you a clue.
I was more favourably impressed by John Burnet of Barns than I expected given it’s such an early novel. It has its flaws but the story is an engaging historical adventure/romance with more than a touch of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped or Catriona about it. (Buchan was a great fan of the author.)
September 26, 2020
Its a long time since I've read a John Buchan novel, and this is one I hadn't read before. I'd forgotten what a great stoyteller he was. This is a classic Scottish adventure story set in the late 1600s at the time of the Covenanters, of John Burnet's fight to clear his name and win back his lady. Great story!
July 22, 2023
Before reading this, I expected something resembling Ridley Scott's The Duellists or The Last Duel. I expected a dark, oppressive novel that dug deep into two rivals' psyches during their repeated encounters. This... isn't quite that. But it combines that basic idea with a more traditional yarn that deals with themes of jealousy, loyalty, religion and the 'moderate' life. Set during the Killing Time, the protagonist John Burnet comes from an old reiving family in the Scottish Borders. He longs to be an academic, but also for the life of honour and adventure embodied by his cousin Gilbert, a Cavalier soldier, until a rude encounter draws the pair into a long feud.
Despite its charming 'early installment wonk', it contains much of the same DNA of John Buchan's later books like Witch Wood (a personal favourite of mine). The side characters are fun, the Scots language is on point, and the environments are lyrical and picturesque. JRR Tolkien was a fan of John Buchan and I'm convinced this is where he gets his descriptions from. Despite this, the book still fair rips along at an enjoyable pace.
Despite its charming 'early installment wonk', it contains much of the same DNA of John Buchan's later books like Witch Wood (a personal favourite of mine). The side characters are fun, the Scots language is on point, and the environments are lyrical and picturesque. JRR Tolkien was a fan of John Buchan and I'm convinced this is where he gets his descriptions from. Despite this, the book still fair rips along at an enjoyable pace.
November 18, 2021
While John Burnet of Barns is not Buchan's best book (cf 39 Steps, Greenmantle, Mr Standfast, etc), it does deliver a wonderful romantic tale, set in the time of the Covenanter's struggle against the Catholic king, James Stuart. For me, this book was a special delight because it recounts the hero's study time at Leiden University in the Netherlands--where my father taught and I was born. Buchan always describes the background contexts well in his novel, and he does so authentically and well here.
But the heart of the action is in Scotland, and the tale is full of intrigue, loyalty, the religious and political strife in the late 1600's, and of course a wonderful romantic ending.
Like Rob Roy by Walter Scott, there is a lot of Scottish dialect, which takes a little getting used to. But Buchan writes very well, and mixes the pace of the plot well with his authentic descriptions of the characters and places. And with Buchan, the classic virtues of "honour and heart", coupled with the joys of adventure, conversation and the beauty of the natural world--what is not to like about all that?
But the heart of the action is in Scotland, and the tale is full of intrigue, loyalty, the religious and political strife in the late 1600's, and of course a wonderful romantic ending.
Like Rob Roy by Walter Scott, there is a lot of Scottish dialect, which takes a little getting used to. But Buchan writes very well, and mixes the pace of the plot well with his authentic descriptions of the characters and places. And with Buchan, the classic virtues of "honour and heart", coupled with the joys of adventure, conversation and the beauty of the natural world--what is not to like about all that?
February 14, 2024
I chose this novel to set the mood for a possible trip to Scotland. It was written by the Scottish novelist John Buchan who wrote Thirty Nine Steps upon which the Hitchcock movie was based. Buchan wrote thriller, spy, and historical novels as well as biographies. He was an active man, for besides writing, he was also a politician and actually served as the Governor General in Canada from 1935-1940.
This novel was written from the viewpoint of the fictional character John Burnet, Laird (Lord or landowner) of Barns looking back over his life. As a young man he sought a scholarly life but the pursuit of a military one led him back home where rivalry with his cousin, Gilbert, for his Lady Marjory awaited.
It is a story of adventure and romance. It reminded me of the chivalrous era of knights and damsels in need of rescue.
Laird Burnet at the end of his travels discovered that a true philosopher lives and not only studies life.
I found the written Scottish dialect and the difference of the words difficult to follow at times though.
I feel as though as I have already travelled through the moors, and vales of Scotland. So much so that a trip to the country seems redundant.
This novel was written from the viewpoint of the fictional character John Burnet, Laird (Lord or landowner) of Barns looking back over his life. As a young man he sought a scholarly life but the pursuit of a military one led him back home where rivalry with his cousin, Gilbert, for his Lady Marjory awaited.
It is a story of adventure and romance. It reminded me of the chivalrous era of knights and damsels in need of rescue.
Laird Burnet at the end of his travels discovered that a true philosopher lives and not only studies life.
I found the written Scottish dialect and the difference of the words difficult to follow at times though.
I feel as though as I have already travelled through the moors, and vales of Scotland. So much so that a trip to the country seems redundant.
June 8, 2019
Early Buchan - so a bit more dense and ornamental in style, but still a great adventure novel. As in The 39 Steps, the protagonist is fleeing both sides of the law. A sense of place and deep love of the land inform and enhance the plot. Buchan's sense of humor and insight into human character are present here as well, though definitely more developed in later novels.
March 12, 2023
This was Buchan's first book, as I worked my way through my mother's treasured collection. Buchan claimed to be ashamed of the work, but it chugged along merrily in a fluffy historical fashion. The hero is an interesting mix of action man and scholar, the heroine is very girly and the villain is a nasty piece of work. Not profound but fun
June 26, 2018
Not as fast paced or exciting as other John Buchan books I have read, and it seemed overly long, however I did enjoy it in the end.
February 3, 2020
Rubbish
June 6, 2025
An imperfect but hugely enjoyable early Buchan adventure. Buchan published this when he was only 23. Full review for John Buchan June on the blog.
March 2, 2014
AVOID! This is the first John Buchan book I have ever read which I did not really enjoy. The chauvanistic and entitled attitude of the main character were terrible to read, and I'm afraid if I'd read this book first I would have a terrible view of John Buchan as someone who believed that poor people and rich people had different places in the world. The narrator constantly reminds himself that he is "above" the people he meets and sometimes bewails the fact he cannot dress in expensive clothes and carry around a sword to prove to others that he is better than them. Clearly he misses the fact that if he needs to prove it then perhaps it is not really true.
The story itself is really good and it's fun to see the main character away with the gypsies (with John Fa' a century before Northern Lights) and out in the mountains. I certainly don't think much of his fiancée though, who is utterly useless and needs comforting. At one point they need to move her from her manner house to her uncle's ordinary house. Everyone praises her bravery and compares her willingness to slum it with the ordinary people to someone fighting a war which is disrespectful and condescending.
Go instead and read Witchwood or some of his Supernatural Stories and you'll get a much better idea of who John Buchan is and what he writes about.
The story itself is really good and it's fun to see the main character away with the gypsies (with John Fa' a century before Northern Lights) and out in the mountains. I certainly don't think much of his fiancée though, who is utterly useless and needs comforting. At one point they need to move her from her manner house to her uncle's ordinary house. Everyone praises her bravery and compares her willingness to slum it with the ordinary people to someone fighting a war which is disrespectful and condescending.
Go instead and read Witchwood or some of his Supernatural Stories and you'll get a much better idea of who John Buchan is and what he writes about.
September 27, 2014
An old and tattered hardback, obviously bought in a secondhand shop somewhere, turns up when Susanne does a spring clean with my name written in it. Most likely left there when we lived with them in 1989 for a few months - I have no memory of it at all. Now I have read it twice. I love the scottish dialect which rings true on the ear (and heart) and the miles of empty spaces in southern scotland.
April 2, 2013
I have a hard time giving a rating. While I kept reading to find out what happened, the getting there was a struggle.
First one has to translate the dialect into something understandable, the Nook's dictionary was some help.
Then all the traveling, and there was a lot of it, was done in great detail.
First one has to translate the dialect into something understandable, the Nook's dictionary was some help.
Then all the traveling, and there was a lot of it, was done in great detail.
September 30, 2016
Not just a romance, but adventures and disadventures of a Scottish gentleman around the Netherlands and the wildest highlands of Scotland to find himself, regain his honour and save his true love. Rambling prose, but pleasant.
September 20, 2013
Mentions places I know quite well in the borders. Peebles area. Enjoyable read to me as it mixes interest in historical fiction and well kent places
September 25, 2014
Early Buchan, an enjoyable yarn in which the maestro has not fully developed his powers of atmosphere. Reminds me a bit of Moonfleet
I've read it twice of thrice over fifty years.
I've read it twice of thrice over fifty years.
May 18, 2021
Quite an exciting historical novel, Buchan's first. Set in 17th century Scotland.
February 14, 2016
A good yarn from another age. A relaxing antidote to modern writing!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews