The beginning of the "Travel Literary Work." An entertaining travel report full of anecdotes from Scottish history - Theodor Fontane's portrait of a country that draws from its romantic and poetic past while still striving to embrace modernity. In the summer of 1858, Fontane fulfills a heartfelt wish and sets off to Scotland with his friend Bernhard von Lepel. After all, as he writes, he has "gone to bed with Mary Stuart and gotten up again with Archibald Douglas," devoured every new Walter Scott novel, been captivated by folk traditions, and not only translated but also composed Scottish ballads. The two-week journey through Scotland would later be described by Fontane as the most beautiful and poetic trip of his life. His book uniquely recounts the brave heroes of Scottish history.