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

This is Turner’s third view of the town of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Made from around High Buckholmside on the northern slope above the river, we look south-east across the water to the old part of the town, with the three peaks of Eildon Hill (often called the Eildon Hills) in the distance. The view is similar to sketches on folios 42 verso, 43 and 59 verso (D26177, D26178, D26211), though made from a little further to the west; it again centres on Bridge Place. Gala Hill is now visible at the right, its lower slope dotted with houses and woollen mills (the town’s main industry). At the top right of the page is a separate sketch of a building, which is also shown at the right of the main sketch. This is likely to be Old Gala House, which at the time was the home of John Scott, 8th of Gala, and is now a museum.

For further references to sketches of Galashiels and details about the context of Turner’s visit to the town, see folio 42 verso (D26177).