Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Weavers Cottage, Bowmore, 1772

From the British Library site, a series of pictures descrbed as a 'weaver's cottage near Bowmore on the Island of Islay', drawn by 'John Frederick Miller after a sketch taken on August 4th 1772'. Miller accompanied Sir Joseph Banks on his tour of the Hebrides in 1772, including a stay in Islay from 1 to 7 August.

Front view

Rear view
Rear view detail

Inside


Similar images appear in Thomas Pennant's book 'A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides, 1772' (published in 1774). The draughtsman Moses Griffith accompanied Pennant on this voyage, including a stay in Islay in July 1772. He made some drawings himself, but also made copies for the book of drawings belonging to Sir Joseph Banks - including presumably these ones by Miller.

From Thomas Pennant,
'A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides, 1772'

4 comments:

  1. Very interesting - I have copies of the images from Pennant's book obtained many years ago but I never knew they were originally in colour and both front and rear view - I will try to identify the location next time on I am on the island.

    Thank you for this.

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  3. Hi Gareth, I would be surprized if the building was still standing or identifiable but you never know there might be some remains, and if the scenery is accurate it might be possible to identify location.

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  4. Actually looking again at the pictures, the cottage appears to be by the shore. If it was actually near Bowmore, the most likely location would be between Bowmore and Bridgend. There is actually a ruined cottage about half way to Bridgend on the shore side of the road, it doesn't match building exactly but could be on same site having been partially rebuilt since picture was painted.

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