J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

In this view of Edinburgh from the north-west, continuing on folio 60 verso (D13687; CLXVII 57a), the most prominent landmarks are Arthur’s Seat to the right of which is Edinburgh Castle, with the dome of St George’s Church in front of it, and the crown spire of St Giles’s Cathedral just visible to the left.

The sketch is taken from a hill, beneath which the rooftops of several houses can be seen. Turner’s inscription ‘Crm’ could stand for ‘Cramond’, an area to the north-west of Edinburgh by the Firth of Forth. There is a similar view, but from further off, on folios 59 verso–60 (D13685–D13686; CLXVII 56a–57), and subsequent pages in this sketchbook witness Turner’s progress towards Edinburgh (folios 62–67; D13690–D13700; CLXVII 59–64).