Joseph Mallord William Turner

The Scottish Border town of Selkirk is seen here from a point just south of the Selkirk Bridge on the western side of the Ettrick Water. At the left of the sketch, the road on which Turner was travelling north continues, while to the right we look across a field (the site of the Battle of Philiphaugh) to the bridge and town. A road winds up from the bridge to the town, leading to the Town Hall, with its tall tower and spire raising above all the other buildings. Beyond the town is Bell Hill.

Selkirk is depicted in further detail in two similar sketches on folio 41 (D26174). There is another view of the Town Hall on folio 40 (D26172), and further views of the town on folios 41 verso and 42 (D26175, D26176).

There is a light brown stain at the top centre-right of the page.