Old Mortality

After an Introduction to the Tales of My Landlord, supposedly written by the novel's (fictional) editor Jedediah Cleishbotham, an introduction by the author describes Robert Paterson, a Scotsman of the 18th century, who late in life decided to travel around Scotland re-engraving the tombs of 17th century Covenanter martyrs, and whom Scott met at Dunottar. In the first chapter of the novel Cleishbotham describes at length meeting Paterson, hearing his anecdotes, and finding other stories of the events to present an unbiased picture.