The Arts In Berwick -- Other Narratives
Tweedmouth's Most Celebrated Author

Born in Tweedmouth in 1804, John MacKay Wilson was the son of millwright from Duns. Apprenticed to the printer William Lochhead, he soon left to seek his fortune in Edinburgh and London.

After modest success as a travelling lecturer, Wilson returned to Berwick in about 1830 to help edit The Border Magazine. He published poetry, his lectures and began collecting his Tales of the Borders, first published in weekly parts from November 1834.

The portrait is by local artist James Sinclair who lived at No.4 Silver Street.

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