Loch Kishorn, from Applecross, by William Leighton Leitch

One of a pair of watercolours of sportsmen in the Highlands, almost certainly by William Leitch. This one refers to the stalker being "on the moors (Valley of Hope)". Presumably Ben Hope.

This , the second watercolour of the pair, has a mountain in the background that appears to be Ben Gholach, or possibly Cul Mor.

Loch Maree was always a popular venue for tourists, especially once Achnasheen station was opened in 1870. This is a watercolour looking towards Slioch, signed E.S. Lee & dated 1878.

An atmospheric watercolour, titled on the back "At Head of Loch Maree, Ross-shire, by Ertin Clarke, 1873." Probably C.T. Ertin Clarke, a solicitor from Worcester.

The title on the back (written by the artist, James Heron), "Inverewe, Loch Maree, Rosshire", is slightly odd. Inverewe after all is on Loch Ewe, not Loch Maree. Has Heron confused it with Kinlochewe? The island suggests a view nearer the middle section of the Loch.

Another view of the Loch Maree district, this a watercolour by James Heron. It is titled on the back "At Kinlochewe, Ross-shire" and the artist's address is added: 7 Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh. Heron's dates are given as "fl. 1873 - 1919".

The View Down to Loch Maree from Glen Docherty. One of three drawings of Ross-shire by Augusta Keate, this a famous viewpoint.

There were three Keate siblings, all of whom had drawing lessons from William Evans at Eton. Their father was Robert Keate, Serjent Surgeon to King William IV.

These two drawings of Auchnanault (now Achanalt) suggest the family really did visit the region, rather than sitting at home copying a print. Achanalt is not a well-known place at all, but it does have a railway station where the family would have left the train to explore the area.

A watercolour attributed to William Evans, who taught the Keate siblings. His enthusiasm for the Highlands might have encouraged the family to visit the Far North. This, though is further south - "Near Callander".

This is a copy of a painting by Thomas Richardson, done at home rather than in situ. It is titled on the back "Castel of Wry(?), Valey of the Kyle." It was sold to me as Castle Varrich on the Kyle of Tongue. Try as I may, I cannot line up the image with what I know of the Kyle of Tongue. Any ideas?

The artist of the previous painting is Ann Turner, probably a pupil of George Pickering in Chester. I bought this lovely portrait of her at the same time as her Kyle painting - it looks almost like a sepia photograph, but it isn't!

In spite of its fame as "the queen of Scottish mountains", early images of Ben Loyal are rare. I know of no depiction earlier than that of William Daniell in 1820, unless you count Timothy Pont's rough sketch of the mountain on his map of the Tongue area. The watercolour I show here was sold to me a...

Another watercolour by the same hand (artist unknown). The view is from the road into Tongue from Lairg, looking across to Ben Loyal, with the lower slopes of Ben Hope on the right. Ribigill farm can be seen nestling below in the valley.

This is a Victorian image of Ben Loyal, a rough sketch by Arthur Perigal, dated Aug. 31, 1880. One of several he made on a tour of the North in that year.

Ben Hope, from the same tour by Arthur Perigal.

I have been unable to identify this view by Perigal. Any suggestions would be welcomed.....

Moving on south down the west coast, Perigal made this sketch of what I believe to be Loch Assynt, with Quinag in the distance. This was an important area during the Highlands Controversy, which was reaching an important stage in the debate when Perigal made his tour of the North.

A watercolour painting titled on the back "Ardvrock Castle, Loch Assynt, Sutherlandshire", signed G. Pearson and dated 1887.

Another image of Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt where the Marquess of Montrose was held prisoner in 1650. This, an amateur sepia sketch signed 'Gladie'(?) bottom right.

I am constantly impressed by the standard of painting which the Victorian era offers. It was of course one of the skills expected of the educated lady in particular, whether Queen Victoria, or a lesser mortal. This famous view looking to Gairloch and Suilven is dated July 1864. It is attributed to M...

Another by the same artist, this time ascribed to Margaret Baugham or Baughan. Not titled, but this is a view of Flowerdale. She may well have travelled up the West Coast on a steamship tour, which, by this time (1864) were offered to the interested traveller.

Another beautifully drawn watercolour by an unknown artist, titled on the back "22nd June, Loch Fuir, 1871." The loch lies in a remote part of Ross-shire, described as lying in "a wild mountainous country" in Sinclair's "General Report...." 1812. It is found in the vicinity of Loch Ewe.

Last year (2020) I was delighted to purchase a particulary fine set of watercolours that included this painting of the Kyle of Sutherland. What makes it so important is that it contains a view, albeit a distant view, of the first bridge built at Bonar Bridge, which was designed by Telford (see the W...

"Looking up the Kyle of Sutherland. Sept. 14th." The mountains of the west, Cul Beag and Cul Mor can be seen in the distance (with thanks to my friend, Chris McNeill, who has sorted out the topography for me).

"Shean, Sutherland. April 22nd, 1891." This fine view, with the peaks of (from L to R) Cul Beag, Cul Mor, Suilven, and Canisp visible in the distance, is signed 'Spero'. Claude Spero was an artist active at the end of the 19th century, but of the set this is the only artwork signed 'Spero.'

Others in the set are signed "JEMB-K", as is this example, titled "Looking to Glen Tromie from Kincraig Moor" so it is further south.

Another of the same, "The Road to the Moor above Kincraig" again signed JEMB-K, and dated 13 August, 1891. The question is, who is the artist? I would love it to be Jemima Blackburn, but she didn't use this signature as far as I know.

A last pair from the set. This is "Rob's Hoose at Kincraig", again signed JEMB-K, and.....

...."Katie Fergusson. Ledcharry - Luib. April 1892." A wonderful collection about which I hope someone can tell me more.

A Highland Scene by James Ferrier. Place unknown.

Another by James Ferrier, this a view further south, in Glen Ogle, but showing a typical Highland Clachan.

Another typical Highland scene, again from further south, in Glen Finglas. By James Heron.

A watercolour, unsigned, and without a title. But the view has been identified as that of Loch Duich, looking down towards the bridge, with Glen Shiel and the Five Sisters behind.

Another possible image of the SE end of Loch Duich: the ridge in the distance looks very much like that of the Five Sisters of Kintail. The watercolour is titled "Landing Place at Mellory" and the near building looks distinctive. If anyone recognizes where this might be, please get in touch.

The set of five watercolours by Henry Charles Clifford are among my favourites in my collection. His control of the colours is superb. This is titled "Sutherland, Sheba Cross" and dated 1898.

"The River Brora, by Suspension Bridge. Sutherland, Aug. 1898." Sub-titled "Elsie tried to cross the stepping stones." One of a delightful set, probably done for his own amusement.

"Elsie in Sutherland, 1898". The distinctive peak in the background looks like Morven, which might suggest that they were somewhere towards the border with Caithness.

"Sutherland, near to Sheba Cross." I am not sure where Sheba Cross is situated - any suggestions welcome.

"Edith on the look-out. Brora, 1898." The last of Henry Clifford's Sutherland set. He was clearly enjoying female company!