The foreground figures help establish the scale of this awe
inspiring view over the remote Loch Coruisk. The Cuillin
Mountains soar above the loch like gigantic waves. Water, rock
and cloud fuse together in a whirling vortex. Turner skilfully
conveys the powerful grandeur of the scene on a small sheet of
paper, drawing on his memory and the pencil sketches he made
after the spectacular climb from the loch-shore. Turner had
travelled north from Edinburgh in 1831 to prepare suitable
subjects for his illustrations of Scott's works. This appeared
as the frontispiece to Cadell's edition of 'Lord of the Isles.'