Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Highlands and Islands of Scotland

This online exhibition highlights some of George Washington Wilson's images of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Wilson's first photographic tour to the west coast of Scotland dated from July 1860. He was accompanied by his friend George Walker.

Although the existence of Glencoe (pictured here with The Three Sisters), Fingal's Cave on Staffa and the stone circle at Callernish (Callanish) on Lewis would have been known to many people, to see photographs, often with human figures included to provide an idea of scale, would have been a new experience.

As transport improved at the end of the century with the opening of railway lines and steamer tours round the coastline increased, guide books encouraged the public to develop greater interest in these areas by describing special viewpoints and geographical features such as waterfalls. Wilson seized this opportunity to sell images to tourists eager to recall their journeys but has also left us with a collection of images showing the social conditions experienced by island crofters at this period.

This exhibition only features a few items from our collection but we hope you enjoy the journey through some of the most iconic of our sceneries!

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