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The Highland Widow
A party on the Highland Tour comes upon a miserable hut hidden away among a patch of cliffs. Upon inquiring about what lies before them, the ladies hear the wretched tale of Elspat MacTavish, the Highland Widow, who is condemned forever to live penitent and alone. After the suppression of the Highland clans, the widow’s son, Hamish, sets off with honorable intentions of joining the coalition on its campaign against the French into America. But soon the unfortunate Hamish finds himself tricked by his own mother. The ensuing events produce a tragic ending made all the more pathetic by the unquenchable passion of a once-proud nation that continues to beat in the breast of one woman.
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1827
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About the author
Walter Scott
8,613 books2,035 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 18, 2020
Como cuando siempre quieres que se haga tu voluntad... 🙎🏻
June 17, 2022
Cuán sofocante puede ser un amor hasta llegar al límite de destruir dos vidas. Un cuento que tiene mucho de moraleja sobre ese exagerado amor de madre, combinado con el desmesurado honor y el deseo de que el hijo deberá seguir la historia del padre. Una mujer que de una posición de poder al enviudar cae en la absoluta pobreza y su mente se pierde, lo que conduce a esta viuda a tomar decisiones desesperadas y equivocadas. Un cuento que se lee escuchando una música céltica acompañada de una gaita melancólica, aspirando ese olor de los bosques fríos de la alta Escocia. Trágicos sucesos que rodeados de místicas creencias y fantasmales apariciones llevan a momentos de suspenso.
November 8, 2018
Sir Walter Scott created the Romance and Bravery of the Highlands of Scotland. His tales of Clans , chieftains , daring do and honour were written for a different time. However the plots still stand scrutiny in today’s world - of the language maybe does not .
This story is a good place to start with Scott - the time after Bonnie Prince Charlie had lost to Cumberland and the Highlander was having to deal - sometime with their life - with change.
This is a story of change and how the past can impact upon a wish to change , the power of family and the psychological factors of pride and nostalgia should not be under estimated.
This story is a good place to start with Scott - the time after Bonnie Prince Charlie had lost to Cumberland and the Highlander was having to deal - sometime with their life - with change.
This is a story of change and how the past can impact upon a wish to change , the power of family and the psychological factors of pride and nostalgia should not be under estimated.
February 6, 2020
Es un libro delicioso a más no poder. Alguna vez habré intentado leer Ivanhoe, si no es que lo leí y no recuerdo, pero lo importante es que el manejo del lenguaje es supremo (y eso que mi copia es de esas de diez pesos, de papel barato, de libro de bolsillo). A pesar de ser una traducción, puedes imaginarte a la perfección el ambiente de Escocia, el carácter de sus pobladores. Tiene ese matrimonio funcional entre la épica y el realismo (entendiendo este como el retrato de la realidad).
January 18, 2022
« 𝐄𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚́𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚 𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐨́𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢́𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐯𝐢́𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐧 ’𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐨 𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥’ 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐞. » ||
Me encantó la descripción de 'loco y fatal amor de madre' porque es justo lo que fue.
Esta señora enserio estaba enferma de amor (si es que se le puede llamar así) por su hijo, tanto, que lo orilló a tener una vida y un final tan miserable al no querer perderlo o alejarlo de ella…
Pasó todos los límites, sin duda.
Este es el primer libro que leo de Walter Scott y me gustó mucho la forma en que nos narra la historia, el lenguaje que usa, las palabras, etc. Nos da mucha facilidad a imaginarnos todo lo que narra.
—————
Es una historia muy ligera y debo decir que te llega a entretener, no tardas ni siquiera una hora en leerlo, es muy corto y creo que sí lo recomendaría.
Es perfecto para pasar el rato y la historia no es para nada pesada.
𝟒 / 𝟓 🌟
Me encantó la descripción de 'loco y fatal amor de madre' porque es justo lo que fue.
Esta señora enserio estaba enferma de amor (si es que se le puede llamar así) por su hijo, tanto, que lo orilló a tener una vida y un final tan miserable al no querer perderlo o alejarlo de ella…
Pasó todos los límites, sin duda.
Este es el primer libro que leo de Walter Scott y me gustó mucho la forma en que nos narra la historia, el lenguaje que usa, las palabras, etc. Nos da mucha facilidad a imaginarnos todo lo que narra.
—————
Es una historia muy ligera y debo decir que te llega a entretener, no tardas ni siquiera una hora en leerlo, es muy corto y creo que sí lo recomendaría.
Es perfecto para pasar el rato y la historia no es para nada pesada.
𝟒 / 𝟓 🌟
July 29, 2024
Hace que sientas Escocia. La forma de narrar consigue que te metas dentro desde el principio. Es el segundo libro que he leído de Walter Scott sobre los conflictos escoceses del siglo XVIII. El primero fue “Rob Roy” donde las visiones sobre ambos campos me parecían más ponderadas. “La viuda de las montañas” es pura propaganda hannoveriana. El núcleo de este relato es plantear como patológica y propia de locos la resistencia a la construcción del nuevo orden capitalista en Escocia.
Dibuja la destrucción de la sociedad de clanes de las Tierras Altas como el triunfo de la ley sobre la violencia. Pintar tal panorama, con todo el sufrimiento humano que causaron las políticas dictadas desde Londres es coherente con un Walter Scott que estaba firmemente comprometido con la monarquía británica y que era un experto manipulador de la historia al servicio de los poderosos.
Dibuja la destrucción de la sociedad de clanes de las Tierras Altas como el triunfo de la ley sobre la violencia. Pintar tal panorama, con todo el sufrimiento humano que causaron las políticas dictadas desde Londres es coherente con un Walter Scott que estaba firmemente comprometido con la monarquía británica y que era un experto manipulador de la historia al servicio de los poderosos.
December 4, 2017
What Freudian psychoanalytic critics can do, according to Peter Barry, is giving ‘close attention to unconscious motives and feelings, whether these be (a) those of the author, or (b) those of the characters depicted in the work’. Reading or examining this Walter Scott's writing from a psychological perspective is well worth since the main character, Elspat MacTavish - highland widow - has fluctuating emotional feelings, thoughts, and behaviours toward her son, Hamish Bean. Since this story was originally published as a collection of a story: 'Chronicles of the Canongate', so it is important to write other two stories including their prefaces or introductions in order to understand Scott's original idea.
April 15, 2025
De esta breve obra podemos rescatar una visión romántica de la Escocia del siglo XVIII. Walter Scott es un escritor que influyó mucho a los románticos del siglo XIX y se nota en su narrativa cargada de emociones y descripciones precisas.
Pinta un paisaje hermoso de la Escocia de las Highlands, en la que se desenvuelve una historia de venganza y apego emocional. Es una obra que te permite reflexionar sobre el poder que tiene una madre sobre la vida de su hijo, y la necesidad de dar paso a un lado en el momento en que sus decisiones son contundentes.
Pinta un paisaje hermoso de la Escocia de las Highlands, en la que se desenvuelve una historia de venganza y apego emocional. Es una obra que te permite reflexionar sobre el poder que tiene una madre sobre la vida de su hijo, y la necesidad de dar paso a un lado en el momento en que sus decisiones son contundentes.
October 17, 2022
I think it was a beautiful recount of a very painful piece of history, but truthfully it just wasn't for me. From a modern viewpoint, if it takes you a chapter to actually get into the plot you should rethink the way you tell your story. Accounting the lives of people sharing the story before it actually gets to the reader, in my opinion, is unnecessary.
November 10, 2024
È un testo molto interessante e che racchiude tra le pagine l'eco di un mondo e di usanze perdute. L'ho trovato un po' ridondante ma è comunque una lettura che consiglio agli amanti del genere storico
October 22, 2020
Es un libro corto que se leé en un par de horas, bastante entretenido, para un vuelo, o algo parecido recomendable.
December 6, 2023
Scott's archaic rendering of the Highlanders' speech did not put me off this thrilling and atmospheric novella with its sequence of haunting images.
December 31, 2025
Es una historia trágica sobre cómo el imponer la voluntad de uno, aunque sea por amor, acaba por destruir la vida de los personajes. Una historia muy triste
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2015
To be completely honest: I'm no fan of Walter Scott and I have never been. I think he created a skillful account of a painful piece of history that combines the Highland tales with the Lowland history. Still, the dialogues seem long-winded and so are the natural descriptions. It takes a full chapter to enter the true story, and that technique is nowadays a bit too obvious. All in all, he is a master of the uncomfortable and the apparition made my hairs stand on end. Beautiful, probably, but not for me.
December 1, 2013
esta vieja se volvió loca
October 19, 2017
Ylämaalainen leski kokoelmasta Seitsemäs hyvää yötä
July 4, 2016
The romanticism module I took this year was my favourite I have ever done, this certainly was not my favourite one I read, it was really good to analyse.
September 4, 2015
La prosa de Scott es sencillamente... maravillosa. Poética, elegante, deliciosa de tan descriptiva.
Y la historia, el retrato real de una obsesión.
Y la historia, el retrato real de una obsesión.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews