An ink drawing showing the Royal Yacht surrounded by small boats. In the background the first of the chain of beacons lit across Scotland is glowing on Arthur's Seat. Signed, dated and inscribed 'No 2 Sketch J W Carmichael 1842 Sep 1st 1 o clock AM'.

Victoria and Albert visited Scotland for the first time in September 1842. Their journey up the east coast of England to Edinburgh was delayed by bad weather, and they arrived there, early in the morning, a day later than intended. This meant that the plans put into place for a welcoming ceremony fell into disarray. However, Albert described the visit as a “delightful, exciting tour” and it inculcated a love for the country in the royal couple that culminated in the building of their own private residence, Balmoral, in the Highlands.

This watercolour was originally mounted in View Album I. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert compiled nine View Albums during their marriage. These albums contained watercolours and drawings documenting their life together and were arranged in chronological order. The albums were dismantled in the early twentieth century and rebound in new volumes both in a different arrangement and with additional items, but a written record of their original contents and arrangement still exists.