Portrait of Pet Marjorie

Pet Marjorie was the name given to Marjorie Fleming, a Scottish child prodigy who died in 1811, aged 8, of measles. She was believed to be a distant relative of Sir Walter Scott, and her diary and poems were published posthumously. The diary, in particular, which she kept for the eighteen months before she died, was extremely popular in Victorian times.

She is buried in Abbotshall Kirkyard, Kirkcaldy, and a commemorative plaque in Braeburn. It is Inscribed:

"Pet Marjorie, 1803-1811, Marjorie Fleming wandered here, 'in rural felicity and pleasure' and praised it in her journal as a 'delightful place, Braehead by name, where there is ducks, hens, bubbly-jocks (old Scots word for a Turkey), 2 dogs, 2 cats, swine and which is delightful.'

---

To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.

Request a print