Gezicht op Ellen's Isle in Loch Katrine before 1865

This is Thomas Ogle’s photographic print “Gezicht op Ellen's Isle in Loch Katrine.” Here, we see the romantic allure of Scotland immortalized through the lens of early photography. What did it mean to capture a landscape in a time of rapid industrialization? What did it mean to visit Scotland? The Highlands became a canvas for projecting notions of identity, especially Scottish identity. It is impossible to discuss Scotland without referencing Sir Walter Scott, whose popular poem “The Lady of the Lake” (1810) helped to popularize the Trossachs, the setting for this image, as a tourist destination. Ellen's Isle, named after a character in Scott's poem, became a focal point for visitors seeking to connect with the romanticized vision of the Scottish Highlands. Ogle’s photograph participates in, and perpetuates, this carefully constructed vision. This photograph shows how landscape becomes tied to identity, and how the act of viewing is itself shaped by historical narratives. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia, longing, and a connection to the past.