The Immeasurable Wilds: Travellers to the Far North of Scotland

Monica's Sketches: Loch Maree & The Hebrides 1919

Here are 10 small watercolour paintings, titled on the back of one "1919 Hebrides". The only clue as to the artist is a name "Monica" at the bottom of one of the sketches (Ben An Eoin). Of course by 1919 it was relatively easy to reach the far north if you had a car, but these are still quite early sketches of an area that would then have been considered very remote. Monica spent some time at Loch Maree, probably staying at the Hotel, and one of the views looks back from Ardlair Lodge, on the other side of the loch. The image of Ben an Eoin, one of the Coigach peaks is particularly scarce. Another , titled Howmore River, suggests Monica travelled to South Uist, though the image does not resemble the rather more gentle slopes of Ben Hecla that I can find online. 

I removed the set from a pair of frames. Some of the titles are on the backs, which would have worked when the paintings were in an album, but now makes matching them up a little bit more complicated. Anyway, an interesting set.

From Ardlair Lodge towards Hotel

Ardlair lies on the north-eastern shore of Loch Maree. The magnificent Torridon mountains form the backdrop.

Ben an Eoin [Title bottom left]

Perhaps the most interesting of the set, Ben an Eoin is one of the Coigach peaks, rarely depicted.

Howmore River [Titled bottom left]

This is also of interest. Howmore River is on South Uist. Another sketch has a title on the back "Howmore River going into sea from Bridge", and yet another "Ben Hecla from Howmore River." I have never been to South Uist, but I can't find images online that show Ben Hecla looking this imposing and rugged. Indeed, the view looks more like that of the previous peak, Ben an Eoin. Perhaps someone who knows South Uist could confirm that this is Ben Hecla?

Loch Shiel & the Island of Rum