Photograph of Ruthven Castle which is situated on top of a hill top, the site of a former castle, in Scotland. On the right in the foreground is a sharp slope with a large expanse of open land to the left. A road or track passes horizontally through the middle ground.

Considering himself first and foremost an artist, Wilson would paint a scene when he was unable to photograph due to low light. Of the paintings he made, one was of Ruthven Castle in which he depicted miles of rosy heather. The painting was subsequently gifted to George Walker, an Aberdeen bookseller and friend of Wilson who accompanied him on his many photographic excursions. Ruthven Castle or barracks were built following the Jacobite Rising of 1715 by the British. The barracks occupy the former site of a castle that was built there during the 13th century. Soon after the Battle of Culloden, the barracks were damaged by Jacobites leaving the remains as they stand today.