Horatio Ross, who was named after his godfather, Lord Nelson, was born at Rossie Castle near Montrose and later lived at Netherley, Kincardineshire from 1853. An important sportsman, he was known particularly for his success as a marksman, and is credited with both inventing and winning the first steeplechase in March 1826. After a short career in the army he entered parliament, representing Montrose and Aberdeen between 1831 and 1834.

Ross's interest in photography dates from at least 1847 when he worked with the daguerreotype process. In 1849 he was taught the calotype process by the Edinburgh photographer James Ross and in 1856 was a founder member of the Photographic Society of Scotland, becoming its President in 1858. In 1859 Ross joined the Volunteer Rifle Corps where he trained alongside other leading British photographers such as Roger Fenton, Benjamin Brecknell Turner, John Dillwyn Llewellyn and Oscar Rejlander.

This album is rare among the recorded surviving works by Ross in exhibiting such a large proportion of salt prints, including several probably from waxed paper negatives. The range of subjects reflects the interests and skill of the photographer with several fine individual and group portraits including informal studies of Ross's family on fishing and shooting expeditions and more formal portraits of his wife, Henrietta, his sons, Peel and Edward and of friends and estate workers. Both Horatio and Henrietta Ross were talented shots and many carefully composed still-life photographs depict the spoils of their deerstalking activities. Other subjects include a river view in the gardens at Netherley, two hunters stalking a live stag in the heather, and a study of a prize cow and calf.