Mortal Memories

Robert Watret

1963

It had been too long since I last made a trip from Edinburgh to Dumfries. Now on the road and approaching the Leadburn junction from Howgate, I imagined I was conscious of a lessening of the gravitational pull that at various times in their lives demanded the return of Doonhamers.

In no time now I reached Broughton, birth place of John Buchan, author of the 39 Steps and former Governor General of Canada. I mused that it was strange that someone from such a small settlement should aspire to both literary success and being in charge of the biggest country in the world. ... (continues)