Joseph Mallord William Turner

Having walked east along the north side of Loch Arklet (see folio 21 verso; D26477), Turner approached Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine from the slopes above the pier.1 The artist made the present sketch when he first caught sight of Loch Katrine (inscribed ‘Loch Kat’), with the mountain of Ben Venue at the far end of the loch at the right. The east end of ‘Loch Arklet’ can be seen at the bottom-right corner of the sketch. The drawing was probably useful to remind Turner of the geographical relationship between Loch Arklet and Katrine. It also expresses his excitement at seeing the location of Scott’s poem Lady of the Lake for the first time.

Turner made another sketch of the loch as he got closer to Stronachlachar (folio 22 verso; D26479). For more information about Turner’s visit to Loch Katrine and references to further sketches of it, see folio 47 (D26528).