Beetty Dick

Beetty Dick (1693-1773) was an elderly town crier for Dalkeith, a town in Midlothian, Scotland in the mid-18th century.^[1]

Beetty Dick
engraving by John Kay
Born	1693 (1693)
Died	1773 (aged 79–80)
Occupation	Town crier

Instead of using a bell, Dick would beat a wooden plate with a spoon making a loud din to draw attention to announcements, working for just a penny per announcement.^[2] She was known for wearing a distinctive long gown, cap and cloak.^[3] Dick never married and died in 1773, her remains were interred at the east side of the old Churchyard, Dalkeith.^[4]

Dick was drawn by artist John Kay in his published work A Series of Original Portraits^[5] and the portrait hangs in an exhibition in a collection at the Dalkeith Museum.^[6]