Nigel Tranter
Encyclopedia
Nigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish
historian
and author
.
and educated at George Heriot's School
in Edinburgh
. He trained as an accountant and worked in Scottish National Insurance Company, founded by his uncle. In 1933 he married May Jean Campbell Grieve and had two children, Frances May and Philip. He joined the Royal Artillery
and served in East Anglia
in the Second World War.
s and their associated history. As a result, in 1935, at age 25, he published his first book, The Fortalices and Early Mansions of Southern Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, he wrote his first novel, In Our Arms Our Fortune, which was rejected by the publishers. However, Trespass soon followed and was accepted by The Moray Press. Unfortunately, they went bankrupt soon after its publication in 1937, and he didn't receive any payment. Over the next few years, he wrote several more novels in the same vein: light-hearted romantic adventures about imaginary characters. These had varied settings, from modern-day Europe to historical Scotland
. Tranter also wrote several westerns under the pseudonym Nye Tredgold to provide additional income for his family, and a dozen children's books -adventure stories aimed at 8-10 year olds.
War service did not stop Tranter writing, and a number of novels were published during the war years, some inspired by his own experiences. While Tranter never served overseas, one of his manuscripts did; it was never recovered.
Between 1962 and 1971 Tranter published the landmark series The Fortified House in Scotland
(in five volumes). This covered the history and structure of every castle and similar structure in Scotland, 663 buildings in all. Highly regarded at the time, it is still read by those who have an interest in this specialist area.
While researching the castles, Tranter realised that there were many characters and incidents in Scottish history which could be used as the basis for novels, which he tried to make as accurate as possible - while making no effort to hide his own strong Scottish identity. The Queen's Grace (1953) was his first novel to focus on an historical character (in this case, Mary, Queen of Scots), although it contained a high fictional content. Two trilogies followed: the MacGregor Trilogy (1957–1962) and the Master of Gray Trilogy (1961–1965). By this time, Tranter was well established as a writer of serious historical fiction. The fictional content decreased as he became more experienced, and his later novels were almost entirely composed around the historical record. These novels have gained a wide readership while providing a basic grounding in Scottish history to their readers.
is not the true Stone of Destiny
, but a thirteenth century fake which he refers to as the Westminster Stone
.
roads and settlement, wild fowling and Athelstaneford
's Flag Fund.
His notable involvements include: the original Scottish Convention, a cross-party pressure group established during the 1940s to encourage devolution (Edinburgh chairman); National Covenant Association
; National Forth Road Bridge Committee
; Saltire Society
(honorary president).
Following the publication of The Fortified House in Scotland
, Tranter was regularly asked for advice on the restoration of many tower houses and castles. He was closely involved in the restoration of over 60 castles, such as Fa'side Castle
and Menstrie Castle
.
For a complete list see: Novels by Nigel Tranter
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Early life
Nigel Tranter was born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and educated at George Heriot's School
George Heriot's School
George Heriot's School is an independent primary and secondary school on Lauriston Place in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, with around 1600 pupils, 155 teaching staff and 80 non-teaching staff. It was established in 1628 as George Heriot's Hospital, by bequest of the royal goldsmith George...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He trained as an accountant and worked in Scottish National Insurance Company, founded by his uncle. In 1933 he married May Jean Campbell Grieve and had two children, Frances May and Philip. He joined the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
and served in East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
in the Second World War.
Writings
From childhood onwards, Tranter took a great interest in castleCastle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
s and their associated history. As a result, in 1935, at age 25, he published his first book, The Fortalices and Early Mansions of Southern Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, he wrote his first novel, In Our Arms Our Fortune, which was rejected by the publishers. However, Trespass soon followed and was accepted by The Moray Press. Unfortunately, they went bankrupt soon after its publication in 1937, and he didn't receive any payment. Over the next few years, he wrote several more novels in the same vein: light-hearted romantic adventures about imaginary characters. These had varied settings, from modern-day Europe to historical Scotland
History of Scotland
The history of Scotland begins around 10,000 years ago, when humans first began to inhabit what is now Scotland after the end of the Devensian glaciation, the last ice age...
. Tranter also wrote several westerns under the pseudonym Nye Tredgold to provide additional income for his family, and a dozen children's books -adventure stories aimed at 8-10 year olds.
War service did not stop Tranter writing, and a number of novels were published during the war years, some inspired by his own experiences. While Tranter never served overseas, one of his manuscripts did; it was never recovered.
Between 1962 and 1971 Tranter published the landmark series The Fortified House in Scotland
The Fortified House in Scotland
The Fortified House in Scotland is a five-volume book by the Scottish author Nigel Tranter.Written between 1962 and 1970, it covers almost seven hundred buildings in Scotland which fall under the general description of "fortalices, lesser castles, peel towers, keeps and defensible lairds' houses"...
(in five volumes). This covered the history and structure of every castle and similar structure in Scotland, 663 buildings in all. Highly regarded at the time, it is still read by those who have an interest in this specialist area.
While researching the castles, Tranter realised that there were many characters and incidents in Scottish history which could be used as the basis for novels, which he tried to make as accurate as possible - while making no effort to hide his own strong Scottish identity. The Queen's Grace (1953) was his first novel to focus on an historical character (in this case, Mary, Queen of Scots), although it contained a high fictional content. Two trilogies followed: the MacGregor Trilogy (1957–1962) and the Master of Gray Trilogy (1961–1965). By this time, Tranter was well established as a writer of serious historical fiction. The fictional content decreased as he became more experienced, and his later novels were almost entirely composed around the historical record. These novels have gained a wide readership while providing a basic grounding in Scottish history to their readers.
The historian
As noted above, Tranter had a life-long interest in Scottish castles. Initially intrigued by their architectural history, Tranter soon developed an interest in Scottish history generally. As he moved into historical novels, his research became deeper until he had amassed vast knowledge of Scotland's history to a very detailed level. His ability to retell history as a 'story' provided an accessible source for many people. As well as his novels, this knowledge was translated into such non-fiction works as The Story of Scotland. Becoming intimate with so much of the historical record, Tranter formed many theories of history, some of which were contrary to established thought. These were presented throughout his books. One example of this is his belief that the stone under the Coronation ChairKing Edward's Chair
King Edward's Chair, sometimes known as St Edward's Chair or The Coronation Chair, is the throne on which the British monarch sits for the coronation. It was commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to contain the coronation stone of Scotland — known as the Stone of Scone — which he had captured from...
is not the true Stone of Destiny
Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone , also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and later the monarchs of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom...
, but a thirteenth century fake which he refers to as the Westminster Stone
Westminster Stone theory
The Westminster Stone theory refers to the belief held by some historians and scholars that the stone which traditionally rests under the Coronation Chair is not the true Stone of Destiny but a thirteenth century substitute...
.
Public life
Tranter was actively involved in affairs outside his writing. From the 1940s onwards he delivered lectures to private groups and organisations, and, as his writing career developed, he undertook many speaking engagements, including some tours to the USA. He was also invited to join—or was instrumental in setting up—many committees and community groups, in fields as diverse as Scottish HighlandsScottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
roads and settlement, wild fowling and Athelstaneford
Athelstaneford
Athelstaneford is a village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the town of Haddington and lies approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The village is also known locally as Elshingford....
's Flag Fund.
His notable involvements include: the original Scottish Convention, a cross-party pressure group established during the 1940s to encourage devolution (Edinburgh chairman); National Covenant Association
Scottish Covenant Association
The Scottish Covenant Association was a non-partisan political organisation in Scotland in the 1940s and 1950s seeking to establish a devolved Scottish Assembly...
; National Forth Road Bridge Committee
Forth Road Bridge
The Forth Road Bridge is a suspension bridge in east central Scotland. The bridge, opened in 1964, spans the Firth of Forth, connecting the capital city Edinburgh, at South Queensferry, to Fife, at North Queensferry...
; Saltire Society
Saltire Society
The Saltire Society was established in 1936 to encourage everything that might improve the quality of life in Scotland and restore the country to its proper place as a creative force in European civilisation....
(honorary president).
Following the publication of The Fortified House in Scotland
The Fortified House in Scotland
The Fortified House in Scotland is a five-volume book by the Scottish author Nigel Tranter.Written between 1962 and 1970, it covers almost seven hundred buildings in Scotland which fall under the general description of "fortalices, lesser castles, peel towers, keeps and defensible lairds' houses"...
, Tranter was regularly asked for advice on the restoration of many tower houses and castles. He was closely involved in the restoration of over 60 castles, such as Fa'side Castle
Fa'side Castle
Fa'side Castle, sometimes known as Fawside, Falside, Ffauside, Fauxside, or Fawsyde, is a 15th-century keep located in East Lothian, approximately southwest of Tranent, and southeast of Musselburgh...
and Menstrie Castle
Menstrie Castle
Menstrie Castle is a three-storey castellated house in the town of Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, near Stirling, central Scotland. From the early 17th century, it was home to Sir William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, who was instrumental in founding the colony of Nova Scotia. It was later owned by...
.
Historical novels
See- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his books set in Scotland from earliest times until the death of Alexander III in 1286....
- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286-1603Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286-1603The Scottish author Nigel Tranter wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland in the period 1286–1603. This begins with the death of Alexander III, which precipitated the Contest for the Crown and the...
- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland inherited the throne of England upon the death of his cousin...
Contemporary and adventure novels
This includes some books that can be classed as 'historical' as they are set in the past, but do not qualify for the above categories as the story and characters they depict are almost wholly imaginary. Tranter called these 'period pieces'.For a complete list see: Novels by Nigel Tranter
Novels by Nigel Tranter
Nigel Tranter is the author of over 100 books. He is best known his Scottish historical novels and his five-volume work The Fortified House in Scotland, but he also produced many other novels, particularly early on in his career....
.
Children's books
- Spaniard's Isle (1958, Brockhampton PressBrockhampton PressBrockhampton Press was a British publishing company, based in Leicester. Originally specialising in children's books, from about 1940, it published well known series, including Asterix, many of Enid Blyton's story collections and Scottish author Nigel Tranter's children's books.It is now an imprint...
) - Border Riding (1959, Brockhampton Press)
- Nestor the Monster (1960, Brockhampton Press; paperback edition 1992, B & W PublishingB & W PublishingBlack & White Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Since 1999, it has produced a range of titles with over 300 in print, including over 30 in the award-winning Itchy Coo imprint. Books published include biography, sport, humour, general non-fiction,...
) - Birds of a Feather (1961, Brockhampton Press)
- The Deer Poachers (1961, BlackieBlackie and Son LimitedBlackie and Son Limited was a publishing house in Glasgow, Scotland and in London, England, from 1890 to 1991.The firm was founded in 1809 by John Blackie, snr. as a partnership with two others and was originally known as 'Blackie, Fullerton and Company'. It began printing in 1819 and was renamed...
) - Something Very Fishy (1962, CollinsWilliam Collins (publisher)William Collins was a Scottish schoolmaster and publisher.Collins was born near Glasgow in 1789. In 1819 he set up a publishing business, initially selling religious books. He produced the first Collins dictionary in 1824, when he also obtained a licence to publish the Bible...
) - Give a Dog a Bad Name (1963, Collins. Published as Smoke Across the Highlands in USA, 1964, Platt & Monk)
- Silver Island (1964, Thomas NelsonThomas Nelson (publisher)Thomas Nelson is a publishing firm that began in Scotland in 1798 as the namesake of its founder. Its former US division is currently the sixth largest American trade publisher and the world's largest Christian publisher. It is owned by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company...
) - Pursuit (1965, Collins)
- Tinker Tess (1967, Dobson Books)
- Fire and High Water (1967, Collins)
- To the Rescue (1968, Dobson Books)
Non-fiction books
- The Fortalices and Early Mansions of Southern Scotland 1400-1650 (1935, The Moray Press)
- Contains the sketches and notes of small castles visited throughout his teenage years and early twenties. Tranter later described it as "terribly pretentious and pretty amateurish." He expanded the format for his later work The Fortified House in Scotland.
- The Fortified House in ScotlandThe Fortified House in ScotlandThe Fortified House in Scotland is a five-volume book by the Scottish author Nigel Tranter.Written between 1962 and 1970, it covers almost seven hundred buildings in Scotland which fall under the general description of "fortalices, lesser castles, peel towers, keeps and defensible lairds' houses"...
(in five volumes) - Pegasus Book of Scotland (1964, Dobson Books)
- Outlaw of the Highlands: Rob Roy (1965, Dobson Books)
- The Fortified House in Scotland
- A study of Scottish folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor. Reissued as Rob Roy MacGregor by Lochar Publishing (1991), and Neil Wilson Publishing (1995).
- Land of the Scots (1968, Hodder & StoughtonHodder & StoughtonHodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette.-History:The firm has its origins in the 1840s, with Matthew Hodder's employment, aged fourteen, with Messrs Jackson and Walford, the official publisher for the Congregational Union...
) - The Queen's Scotland (in four volumes)
- Land of the Scots (1968, Hodder & Stoughton
- Intended to be a detailed gazetter of every parish in Scotland. His wife assisted him heavily and she died before it could be completed. Tranter never finished the series.
- Portrait of the Border Country (1972, Robert Hale)
- Revised edition published in 1987 as The Illustrated Portrait of the Border Country.
- Portrait of the Lothians (1979, Robert Hale)
- Nigel Tranter's Scotland (1981, Richard Drew Publishing. PenguinPenguin BooksPenguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
edition 1983) - Scottish Castles: Tales and Traditions
- First published 1982 by Macdonald Publishing. Revised edition by Neil wilson Publishing, 1993. US Edition by Barnes & NobleBarnes & NobleBarnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
, 1993.- Traveller's Guide to the Scotland of Robert the Bruce (1985, Routledge & Kegan Paul; US edition by Historical Times Inc, 1985)
- The Story of Scotland (1987, Routledge & Kegan Paul. Re-issued 1992, Neil Wilson Publishing)
- Footbridge to Enchantment (1992, Locahr publishing. Revised edition 1993, B&W Publishing)
- No Tigers in the Hindu Kush (Editor) (1968, Hodder & StoughtonHodder & StoughtonHodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette.-History:The firm has its origins in the 1840s, with Matthew Hodder's employment, aged fourteen, with Messrs Jackson and Walford, the official publisher for the Congregational Union...
). A tribute to his son Philip who died in an accident
Westerns
Tranter claimed each of these books took him six weeks to write. He sold them outright for £100 each. They were published under the pseudonym 'Nye Tredgold'.- Thirsty Range (1950, Ward Lock & CoWard Lock & CoWard Lock & Co was a publishing house in the United Kingdom that started as a partnership and developed until it was eventually absorbed into the publishing combine of Orion Publishing Group.-History:...
) - Heartbreak Valley (1951, Ward Lock & Co)
- Big Corral (1952, Ward Lock & Co)
- Trail Herd (1952, Ward Lock & Co)
- Desert Doublecross (1953, Ward Lock & Co)
- Cloven Hooves (1954, Ward Lock & Co)
- Dynamite Trail (1955, Ward Lock & Co)
- Rancher Renegade (1956, Ward Lock & Co)
- Trailing Trouble (1957, Ward Lock & Co)
- Bloodstone Trail (1958, Ward Lock & Co)
Awards and honours
- Honorary MA from the University of EdinburghUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, 1971 - OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to literature, 1983 - BBC ScotlandBBC ScotlandBBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
Scot of the Year, 1989 - Honorary Doctor of Literature, University of StrathclydeUniversity of StrathclydeThe University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, 1990
- In 1961, Nigel Tranter was dubbed Knight (Chevalier) of the Order of Saint LazarusOrder of Saint LazarusThis article concerns the order of knighthood named after Saint Lazarus. For other uses of the name Lazarus, see Lazarus .The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem is an order of chivalry which originated in a leper hospital founded by the Knights Hospitaller in 1098 by the...
by Duc de Brissac, Grand Prior of the Order. He advanced to Commander of Merit and (in 1986) Chancellor of the Order in Scotland.
See also
- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his books set in Scotland from earliest times until the death of Alexander III in 1286....
- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286-1603Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286-1603The Scottish author Nigel Tranter wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland in the period 1286–1603. This begins with the death of Alexander III, which precipitated the Contest for the Crown and the...
- Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters.This page includes those of his historical novels set in Scotland after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland inherited the throne of England upon the death of his cousin...
- Novels by Nigel TranterNovels by Nigel TranterNigel Tranter is the author of over 100 books. He is best known his Scottish historical novels and his five-volume work The Fortified House in Scotland, but he also produced many other novels, particularly early on in his career....
- The Fortified House in ScotlandThe Fortified House in ScotlandThe Fortified House in Scotland is a five-volume book by the Scottish author Nigel Tranter.Written between 1962 and 1970, it covers almost seven hundred buildings in Scotland which fall under the general description of "fortalices, lesser castles, peel towers, keeps and defensible lairds' houses"...
- The Bridal PathThe Bridal PathBridal Path is a novel by Scottish author Nigel Tranter, first published in 1952. In 1959 a film version The Bridal Path was released....
- Westminster Stone theoryWestminster Stone theoryThe Westminster Stone theory refers to the belief held by some historians and scholars that the stone which traditionally rests under the Coronation Chair is not the true Stone of Destiny but a thirteenth century substitute...
Further reading
- Bradfield, Ray, Nigel Tranter: Scotland's Storyteller, 1999, B & W PublishingB & W PublishingBlack & White Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Since 1999, it has produced a range of titles with over 300 in print, including over 30 in the award-winning Itchy Coo imprint. Books published include biography, sport, humour, general non-fiction,...
- Pritchard, Michael; Pritchard, Alison, Tranter's Terrain, 1994, Glasgow: Neil Wilson Publishing, ISBN 1-897784-23-6