Walter Henry Montagu Douglas Scott, Earl of Dalkeith facts for kids

Walter Henry Montagu Douglas Scott (born January 17, 1861 – died September 18, 1886) was a Scottish nobleman and a talented cricketer. He was known as Lord Eskdaill until 1884, when he became the Earl of Dalkeith.

Walter Scott's Early Life and Cricket

Walter Scott was born in Westminster, England, in January 1861. His parents were William Montagu Douglas Scott and Louisa Montagu Douglas Scott. His father was a nobleman and a politician.

Walter went to school at Eton College, which is a famous boarding school. After that, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, a college at Oxford University.

He played first-class cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) three times. First-class cricket is the highest level of the sport below international matches. He played against Oxford University in 1881 and 1882. He also played one match against Yorkshire in 1885. Walter didn't score many runs in these games, only 9 runs in total, with his highest score being 7.

In 1884, his father became the 6th Duke of Buccleuch. When this happened, Walter took over his father's previous title, becoming the Earl of Dalkeith.

Walter also tried to become a politician. He ran for a seat in Parliament for the Dumfriesshire area in 1885. He was part of the Conservative Party. However, he lost the election to Sir Robert Jardine.

A Tragic Accident

Walter Scott died on September 18, 1886, when he was just 26 years old. He was involved in a hunting accident. He was deer stalking near Loch Arkaig in Scotland, on land owned by his aunt, Lady Margaret Cameron. Deer stalking is a type of hunting where you carefully track and approach deer.

Walter had shot a stag (a male deer) and was following it downhill. He slipped and fell while still holding his rifle. When he hit a large rock, his rifle accidentally fired. The shot hit him in his left shoulder.

Even though the other people in his hunting group tried to help him, he sadly bled to death a short time later. His body was taken out of the forest the next morning.

Walter's parents were very sad about his death. His younger brother, John Montagu Douglas Scott, became the new Earl of Dalkeith.