Scotland and Scots paediatric surgeons have been in the forefront of the development of surgical services for children. Development has occurred at different rates in sections of society. Progress or obstruction has seldom been for 'scientific' reasons but much more according to the personal interests or drive of individuals. The Scots can justifiably claim some influence in the overall evolution of paediatric surgery. It is no wonder that Henley wrote after his visit to Walter Scott in Edinburgh, "The conceit of these bloody Scotsmen is atrocious".