The Laird of Norlaw; A Scottish Story

"The Laird of Norlaw; A Scottish Story" by Mrs. Oliphant is a tale set against the rugged backdrop of 19th-century Scotland, that follows the Livingstone family as they grapple with the fading health of the Laird of Norlaw and the uncertain future that awaits them. The reader is quickly drawn into the somber atmosphere of Norlaw, where servants whisper anxiously and a sense of impending loss permeates every corner of the estate. Mrs. Oliphant paints a vivid picture of a family weighed down by duty and social expectations, as the Laird's wife, the Mistress, and their three sons, Huntley, Patrick, and Cosmo, face the daunting prospect of his death. The narrative explores the contrast between the beauty of the Scottish countryside and the stark realities of life, hinging on themes of family honor, societal placement, and the weight of legacy as the sons prepare for the responsibilities that will soon fall upon their shoulders.