Early Photographs of Sutherland.
Assynt Lodge, with Quinag behind. A photo by GW Wilson that captures beautifully the rugged nature of the terrain. c1880.
"Glen Mohr, Inchnadamph, Sutherland." A superb photograph looking up towards Ben More Assynt. Notice the fine peat stack on the left. Photographer unknown. Dated 1885.
A photograph by GW Wilson titled "Inchnadamph Underground River Exit." The river is the Traligill, and it marked an important thrust site in the famous geology of the area. It is not clear whether that is why the photo was taken.
"Loch Culag, near Lochinver, Sutherland." Another GWW photograph. The loch was actually well photographed because of the Hotel found there (see my postcard images), but this is a much rarer viewpoint.
Another famous geological site. This photo titled "Loch Glendhu, Sutherland", but in fact it is looking out over Loch Glencoul. The viewpoint is very near the present-day Rock Stop Cafe which celebrates the local geology. GWW again.
The ferry at Kylesku was much photographed. This was from a tour made in 1928 - the Alvis was one of at least three vehicles involved in the journey. See my ferry album page.
Another vehicle braving the crossing. It is only a short one, now traversed by a bridge. This is a later photograph than the previous one, but possibly the same ferry boat.
By the same photographer, a view from the landing stage up to the hotel at Kylesku.
Considering the magnificence of the scenery in the far north there are few 19th century images capturing it. This is a rare photo by GWW of Ben Hope.
A photo (taken from a magic lantern slide) taken in the 1960s. It reminds me of a similar one of my grandmother, taken in 1913 (see my photo album page). Here the passenger is looking towards Suilven from Inverkirkaig.
If you look hard you can just make out the ghostly form of Suilven in this view, in the distance. "Aultnagalagach, Sutherland." GWW.
A later view of the mountain, titled actually "On Suilven". By an unknown photographer.
From the same source, a view from Stac Pollaidh.
A view of Ben Loyal taken in 1928. The hay stooks always add to the picturesque scene. Photographer unknown.
Next, four examples from my Tuckerman set. This is the garden at Tongue House - many travellers even in the 18th century commented on the abundance found in it. The stone construction is a sundial.
The Manse at Borgie. Not the least valuable asset of Emily Tuckerman's photo set is the fact that they are very well annotated by her on the backs.
The ferry at Tongue, arriving on the Melness side.
Same ferry, this time with a cargo of sheep. Ben Loyal in the background. The crossing is now made over a causeway.
"Sheep Dipping near Tongue." A photograph by J Whitaker. Probably 1930/40s judging by the car.
"Sheep Dipping, Inchnadamff." Taken from a Magic Lantern slide by Whitaker (non-commercial?).
The sheep sales at Lairg. Three photographs dated 1939. When I first started going up to Talmine in the 1960s, these sales were a very important event for the locals.
The sales still occur, but there are far fewer sheep in the district than there used to be. Sometimes recently we have driven from Lairg to Tongue without seeing a single sheep. In the 1960s, sheep on the road were a hazard!
The previous two photographs put together show what an important event the Lairg Sales were.
Sheep being loaded after the sale. Many were taken south to the borders to over-winter. Photographer unknown.
From the 1928 set "Crossing the Borgie." A determined stalking party.
From the same set "At the Start." Photographer unknown.
Three fine views from my Kinlochbervie set. Early 20th century, photographer unknown.
More stooks, enhancing the scene.
A panoramic shot of Kinlochbervie.
Back to Loch Assynt, and the view of Ardvreck Castle looking up to Ben More Assynt.
My research has shown that early artworks of the Far North are rare, simply because few visitors went there. As with art, so with photographs, for even in the early 20th century few people ventured that far north. I have already added pages which highlight early images from my collection, and I direct anyone interested to in particular the set of Tuckerman photos of the Tongue district, to the fine Kinlochbervie set, and to those photos from my grandmother's albums. On this page I present more from my collection, most of which are quite rare, if not unique. I will also list a selection from my Sutherland postcard collection.