A comparative view of the heights of the principal mountains of Scotland

A comparative view of the heights of the principal mountains of Scotland

This full-colour engraving was drawn by D. McKenzie and engraved by W. H. Lizars, produced specifically for inclusion in John Thomson's Atlas of Scotland, 1832.

The upper section shows a 'view of the Grampian mountains being a specimen of the formation of that range' ; the lower section depicts 29 mountains, arranged as though they were a range, and gives each of their heights. At the bottom of the mountains is a scene depicting boats and a lighthouse, a device for illustrating sea level.

In the introduction to the 'Atlas', we are told that the view of the Grampians was drawn from 'actual observation, from Books of Travels, from Sketches taken by respectable Artists from the description of the Grampian Mountains'. The comparative view of the mountains was drawn more scientifically, with the information for this coming from a survey made by 'the Government Engineers, who were employed on the great Trigonometrical Survey of Scotland' in 1820.

John Thomson's Atlas of Scotland is held in the National Library of Scotland.

The image is only available in A2 as any text or small details would not be legible in a smaller size.