Six decades after his death, public interest in Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) remained considerable. His two-volume journal for the period 1825-32 was first published in 1890. Volume 1 comprises entries from November 1825 to June 1827, during which time Scott published his Letters of Malachi Malagrowther (1826).

As one review observed, Scott's 1825-32 journal, published in 1890, 'shows us the man in prosperity and in adversity'.