The young American newlyweds arrived for a stay in the Highlands with great delight, and in awe of the natural splendor that encircled them. The year was 1905. As they embraced their early innocent moments together as a married couple in Scotland, they could have never foreseen the paths they would take and how they would become seminal characters in 20th Century world history. Franklin Roosevelt was 23, and Eleanor Roosevelt was 20.

I recently discovered a nearly 120-year-old blurred photograph of the newlywed Roosevelt’s as they stood together in Strathpeffer, Scotland. They had come to the Highlands to be with their close friends, Isabella Selmes and Robert Ferguson who were also recently married. Isabella was one of Eleanor’s closest friends from America. Her husband, Robert, was a Scot who had been close with President Teddy Roosevelt (Eleanor’s uncle), and had come to know the president as a fellow “Rough Rider” during the Spanish American War that broke out in 1898.

The photograph is the only one I am aware of the Roosevelts in Scotland. In an age where we are flooded with images, the textural beauty of any old black and white picture is often a precious work of art rich with an accompanying story. This picture is distinctive and telling for many reasons. Smartly dressed, the young couple smiles with a light of joy and relaxed confidence. It reflects a moment where a joke had just been told that elicited a laugh across the glowing face of Eleanor. A spritely Franklin beams with pride standing by Eleanor, and he smiles as if he had been the source of the wit that caused his partner to giggle.

One experience for Eleanor in Scotland may have seemed simple on the surface, but was hugely motivating to her and helped lead to the wise political and informed international leader she became. It happened over a cup of tea with Lady Helen Ferguson at her home near Edinburgh. Eleanor admired and was very impressed by the social and political activism of Lady Ferguson. Lady Ferguson asked Eleanor about the structures and layers of government in the United States. Eleanor was embarrassed by having nothing to say. Franklin entered the room and then provided an explanation when the question was repeated. Eleanor wrote in her journal that “my heart sank, and I wished that the ground would open up and swallow me.” It was from that vulnerability and humiliation that Eleanor vowed that once she returned to the United States she would be dedicated to deeply understanding the systems of US government. And she did just that and more.

Eleanor Roosevelt returned to Scotland in 1942 as First Lady of the United States to support Scotland and the UK during the war effort. She came into Prestwick then had what she called a “pleasant drive” into Glasgow. In Scotland she visited with and spoke to huge crowds at the shipyards along the Clyde. Eleanor was drawn once again to the Scottish people - their decency and resiliency. She saw the destruction of Nazi bombing and how these workers were contributing to the war effort. She encouraged and uplifted as she moved through her many meetings. Scots were impressed by her stamina. Eleanor was a seasoned leader and a different person from the 20-year-old newlywed who came to Scotland 37 years before.

Eleanor’s last trip to Scotland was in 1957. She was 72. Of course, by this time Franklin had long since been gone following his death in 1945. She had come up by train from London and commented how comfortable and reflective that trip was. When she came into Glasgow she noted how it “looked attractive and very up to date.” There is no doubt Eleanor would have remembered her time with Franklin when they first came to Scotland in 1905. It was for them and the world an age innocence. On that last trip to Scotland and seeing again the places and people she dearly loved, Eleanor reflected through the eyes of a tested, confident, and visionary leader.    

Ian Houston has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland and honorary Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.