Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, and playwright. Although he was an advocate and legal administrator by profession, Scott is most famous for his great literary works and activities in the Royal Highland Society. The story of “The Highland Widow” takes place near the river Awe in Argyllshire during the Seven Years War, and tells the story of the widow, Elspat MacTavish. She lives alone with her son, Hamish, hoping that one day he will continue his father’s path and become one of the Highland caterans. However, the boy has different plans for life, which inevitably leads to the confl ict with his mother.

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Comprised of two short stories 'The Highland Widow' and 'The Two Drovers' and a novella 'The Surgeon's Daughter', this is Scott's only collection of shorter fiction. Each story is set in the second half of the eighteenth century and deals with the exodus of Scots from their post-Union, post-Culloden homeland to seek fortune elsewhere.