View of Culross on the Forth, with figures in the foreground and a village beyond

Born in Carlisle, Bough worked mainly in Scotland. He became an associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1856 and was elected a full member in 1875. He practised watercolours as well as oil and in 1878 became vice-president of the new Scottish Watercolour Society. His Scottish views were extremely popular and the Highlands, the Forth and East Lothian coasts, and the fishing communities in Fife, were favourite subjects to which he returned many times. He also illustrated the works of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow, was born and educated in Culross. The abbey, the ruins of which are still visible on the hill above the village, played an important role in the development of the village. Situated on the banks of the Forth, Culross was a prosperous port, marketing and trading salt and coal.