In 1868 Wilson introduced the carte-de-visite format that enabled his work to be bought cheaply and in large numbers by the public. The smaller format of the carte-de-visite made it very affordable and collectable. In some cases, to cope with public demand for photographs, Wilson re-visited viewpoints he had photographed previously. The public interest in the royal family and their Highland home at Balmoral fuelled the appetite for such images.

John Beaton (c.1808–92), began his career as a mason and rose, before becoming Clerk of Works at Balmoral from 1855 until his retirement in 1882. Prince Albert appointed him to this position on the strength of his work during the construction of Balmoral, where he acted as foreman. Trained in architecture, Beaton was involved with many building projects on the Balmoral estate, including the enlargement of the queen’s private lodge Glas-allt-Shiel and the designing of Prince Albert’s memorial obelisk in 1862–3.