Saint Ronan's Well ( originally published in 1824) is a classic tale of Scottish country life, one of the Waverly Novels by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832).Set in Scotland, at the beginning of the 19th century, Scott's story turns its back upon the wars waging on the world's stage and presents a regency comedy. Meg Dodd, a sentimental virago, keeps a run-down inn in a derelict Tweedale village while the young Laird is living way beyond his means. When a nearby mineral spring becomes a spa, life changes as a post-office, a hotel and a troop of social climbers move in. In a climate of tantrums, black humor, theatricals, gaming and duels, the plot unfolds.