# Davie Gellatley — Waverley character guide

> Davie Gellatley in Waverley by Walter Scott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** David Gellatley, daft Davie, the daft Davie Gellatley

**First appearance:** 0014-part-i-ix-more-of-the-manor-house-and-its-environs

## Snapshot

Tully-Veolan's 'daft' servant, a singing, dancing fool whose seeming simplicity hides a loyalty sharper than anyone suspects.

## Who they are

Davie frisks and sings through the Baron's troubles — 'Our gear's a' gane' — and takes a horsewhipping from the Bailie without losing his strange cheer. The household treats him as harmless, but his wandering presence and uncanny memory make him a quiet witness to everything at Tully-Veolan, and his devotion to Rose and the Baron runs deeper than his antics suggest. He is the novel's reminder that the fool often sees what the wise overlook.

## In the story

### [Editor's Introduction to Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction-to-waverley)

Praised for his songs and inspired poetic touches.

### [IX: More of the Manor-House and Its Environs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-ix-more-of-the-manor-house-and-its-environs)

A natural fool who guides Edward through the garden with odd gestures and songs.

### [Rose Bradwardine and Her Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-x-rose-bradwardine-and-her-father)

Mentioned as the subject of an old woman's insult; summoned the Baron to meet Edward.

### [Repentance and a Reconciliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xii-repentance-and-a-reconciliation)

Described as a half-crazed simpleton with a prodigious memory for music; saved Rose from danger; will accompany the hunting party.

### [A More Rational Day Than the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-a-more-rational-day-than-the-last)

Leads the deer greyhounds and barelegged boys during the hunt, addressed as 'Maister Gellatley' by the villagers.

### [XIV: A Discovery—Waverley Becomes Domesticated at Tully-Veolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-a-discovery-waverley-becomes-domesticated-at-tully-veolan)

Sings a cryptic ballad hinting at the duel; uses his feigned folly to avoid explaining the innuendo to Edward.

### [XV: A Creagh, and Its Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xv-a-creagh-and-its-consequences)

Seen frisking and singing amid the turmoil, until the Bailie's horsewhip silences him.

### [A Letter from Tully-Veolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxviii-a-letter-from-tully-veolan)

Delivers Rose's letter to Waverley by singing and dancing outside the castle window.

### [Desolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv-desolation)

Found at Tully-Veolan, now ragged and half-starved; he leads Waverley to a hut.

### [XXXV: Comparing of Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-comparing-of-notes)

Roasts eggs by the fire and is credited with fooling soldiers by impersonating the Baron.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xlii)

Appears in a new suit, joyfully greeting the Baron and Rose.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/davie_gellatley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters