| Description | Letter dated 13 August 1871 to Macdonald from George Reid, R.S.A., Farm of Findon, Gamrie, by Banff, regarding move there from Pennan, omnipresent echoes of J.C. Hook in all the views around, and in the talk of the locals who watch him paint: 'Maister Heuk is the best man at takin picters that ever cam here they war four times as big as that an mair', sketch of the area, showing Gamrie Head, the church, and 'Maister Heuk's house', 'Hook has spoiled them somehow - he has been too liberal with his money, and they all seem to know the price at which his "Herrings from Banff" was sold', visit of Robert, Rev. Alexander Thomson and John Forbes White, staying at the manse, sketch of scene of salmon fishers in a coble bringing in their nets, account of boat trip and White' insistence on swimming, with sketches, sketch of Thomson stretched full length in the boat watching fish in the shallows taking bait, Thomson's inability to steer well, White a better helmsman, pleasant evening at manse, excitement of a fishing expedition, sketch of Thomson climbing a cliff and another of him seated exhausted at the top, dismissive remarks on pamphlet by Lord Southesk. |