Watson, John (1850–1907)

Scottish novelist. He wrote under the name ‘Ian Maclaren’ and was one of the victims of criticism of the Kailyard School. His works include Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush 1894, The Days of Auld Lang Syne 1895, Kate Carnegie 1897, and The Young Barbarians 1901.

A Presbyterian cleric, Watson became pastor at Logiealmond, in Perthshire, probably the Drumtochty of his stories. In 1877 he joined a Glasgow church, and in 1880 he went to Liverpool, where he remained for 25 years. He also wrote several controversial religious tracts.