This exhibition brings together the 25 illustrations from a volume within the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection entitled, "Scottish Loch Scenery". The book is written by Thomas A. Croal and the enchanting coloured plates are from drawings by A. F. Lydon.
Alexander Francis Lydon was a watercolour artist, illustrator and engraver best known for his natural history studies and landscapes. Born in Newbridge, Ireland in 1836, his family travelled widely, with siblings born in the West Indies, and Canada before the family settled in England.
Lydon worked for the printer Benjamin Fawcett, to whom he was apprenticed at an early age. His work was particularly associated with the publisher Groombridge and Sons in the 1860s and 1870s for whom he illustrated dozens of books and works ranging from natural history books to the classics.
He married Catherine Fitzgerald in York in 1859 and lived in Great Driffield, Yorkshire for many years before moving to London in the 1880s. He died in North Ealing, Middlesex on 20 March 1917 and was survived by his wife and seven children, two of whom went on to become engravers.
Thomas Allan Croal was born at Craig’s Close, 265 High Street in Edinburgh. He started his working career at the General Post Office, leaving there in December 1897 aged 65. He then occupied the position of examiner in the accounts department.
From early in his career, Croal followed the journalistic traditions of his family, assisting his brother who worked at the Edinburgh Courant. From 1861 he contributed weekly “Notes from Edinburgh” to the Inverness Courier and for many years was the Scottish Correspondent of “The Madras Mail” and from time-to-time contributed articles on railway, electrical and telegraphic subjects to many newspapers.
1882 saw the publication of “Scottish Loch Scenery" for which he provided "descriptive notes" for the twenty-five coloured plates from drawings by A. F. Lydon. The book is a sort of Victorian travel guide describing the most picturesque lochside scenes and practical information for the intrepid traveller.
On Loch Lomond, he writes,
"At Rowardennan Inn are guides and ponies, and although the stalwart man may dispense with the latter, it is not safe to attempt the ascent of Ben Lomond without a guide familiar with the road, for sudden mists may envelop the climber, and a mistake on the road may lead to death".
Loch Katrine, Croal declares:
"The most brilliant gem in the loch scenery of Scotland" and "the loveliest of them all".
"Even if [Walter] Scott had not superadded to Loch Katrine the witchery of his genius, ... this water would have asserted its claim to public regard. True, it was Scott that gave impetus for touring in Scotland - or Scott-land as some have called it!"
And on Duddingston Loch, he writes:
"The smallest of all the notable lochs in Scotland, its circumference being under a mile and a half, Duddingston is nevertheless famous as the resort of curlers and skaters, and for very many years it has been a favourite playground of citizens of Edinburgh, whenever John Frost holds reign, and the ice is pronounced safe by the police".
Explore the exhibition and click on the 'About this image' sections to read more of Croal's accompanying text.
Croal died on 4th April 1907 at his home in James Street in Portobello, Edinburgh, aged 75.
The image library for the collections of Edinburgh Libraries and Museums and Galleries