Sir Walter Bullivant Sir Walter Bullivant Sir Walter Bullivant is a fictional character created by the Scottish thriller writer John Buchan for his series of novels featuring the spy Richard Hannay. He plays small but significant roles in both "The Thirty-Nine Steps" and "Greenmantle". Sir Walter is a senior mandarin at the Foreign Office in the years leading up to World War I. He is the archetypal spymaster — gruff, acutely conscious of his duty, yet thoughtful and kindly towards those he sends into peril. In "Greenmantle", he recruits Hannay to perform a dangerous mission in the East as the Great Game heats
Clan Hannay lands of Kirkdale which were in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. His son was John Hannay of Kirkdalewho established the line which is today recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as the chief of the name and arms of Hannay. A younger son of Hannay of Kirkdale was Alexander Hannay who was a professional soldier, administrator and adventurer, who amassed a substantial personal fortune in 18th Century India, rising to the rank of colonel. His elder brother was Sir Samuel Hannay of Kirkdale who succeeded to the title and estates of his kinsman, Sir Robert Hannay of Mochrum, Baront.