Loch Bracadale, Isle of Skye

Brett acquired his 210-ton schooner, Viking, in February 1883. At the end of June the family (including 7 children) together with the crew of 13, set sail from Southampton on what was to be an epic circum-navigation of the British mainland. Brett had installed a small cabin to be used as a studio on deck, and he painted anything interesting they encountered, recording the results in the Viking's log book. Having first explored the south coast as far as Falmouth, they traversed the Welsh coast, and then went into Scotland. By the beginning of September they had reached the vicinity of the Isle of Skye, and on the 2^nd Brett painted this view of Loch Bracadale, one of several sea lochs on the south side of the island. It records the muted autumn colours of the remote, inhospitable region. After rounding the north of Scotland, the voyage continued down the east coast, ending after many adventures at Brightlingsea in mid-October. Brett brought back about 40 sketches from the trip.

We are grateful to Charles Brett for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.