Boswell takes his place on inspirational tourist trail

Makars’ Court, just off the Royal Mile, welcomed a fresh incumbent on Saturday – 18th-century biographer and diarist James Boswell.

He is now the 36th person to be commemorated in stone, joining the likes of authors, playwrights and poets.

The stone bears an inscription from his Journal, and has been sponsored by the Boswell Museum and Mausoleum Trust.

Culture leader Councillor Deidre Brock said: “The installation of this new stone to James Boswell marks the third addition to Makars’ Court in 2011. Scotland – and not least its capital city – has nurtured countless writers whose works are known and loved all over the world.

“Makars’ Court is an extra- ordinary public monument paying tribute to their works and ensuring their memory lives on for generations to come.”

One of his direct descendants, Margaret Boswell Elliot, who is five times his great-granddaughter, added: “It is entirely appropriate that an inscribed stone should be laid in Edinburgh for James Boswell.

“His journals record his life at the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment, his work as a lawyer – and more.

“He also had his adventures in the Capital, some of them highly disreputable.”