Balquhidder 

David Young Cameron, a Scottish artist, rendered this watercolor painting of Balquhidder. Cameron, born in Glasgow during the Victorian era, lived through a time of significant industrial and social change, including the decline of Highland culture. This landscape transcends mere representation, reflecting a deep connection to national identity and the romanticization of the Scottish Highlands. The soft washes of color evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. You can almost feel the dampness of the air and smell the earthy tones of the landscape. However, this image, like many landscape paintings, can obscure a more complex history of land ownership and displacement. The Highlands, once home to Gaelic clans, became a site of economic exploitation and forced migration during the Highland Clearances. Cameron’s sentimental depiction of the landscape, while beautiful, invites us to consider the narratives that are both visible and hidden within it. Ultimately, Balquhidder serves as a reminder of the intertwined relationship between place, identity, and history.