The Black Dwarf is one of the novels printed by Scott in the series, which he titled The Innkeeper's Tales. They were written by a village teacher, Peter Pettison, based on the stories of the owner of the Wallace Hotel in Ganderkle. The events depicted in the novel The Black Dwarf date back to the first decade of the 18th century. The action takes place in the southern, bordering England, flat region of Scotland against the background of the uprising of 1707. The main character, the ugly dwarf Elshi, with his mystery, misanthropy and monstrous appearance is very reminiscent of the heroes of the “black” or “gothic” novel of the XVIII century.