Provenance

Supplied for George IV for his visit to Edinburgh, August 1822 (RA GEO/MAIN/29600).

This was the first visit by a reigning monarch to Scotland since Charles II. The writer Sir Walter Scott oversaw arrangements for the reception, encouraging Highland chiefs to attend in their traditional tartan to give a show of unity in Edinburgh. David Stewart of Garth, one of the founders of the Celtic Society, helped devise the King's own Highland dress, which he wore to his first levée at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 17 August. His accoutrements included a dirk (RCIN 29023), power flask (RCIN 29024), sword (RCIN 29025), belt (29026) and sash (RCIN 29027). In 1829, many of these items were dispatched to the artist Sir David Wilkie to aid preparations for his portrait of the king in Scottish attire (RCIN 401206).