Scottish photographer Robert Murray (1822-93) proclaimed that he learnt to photograph 'entirely from a shilling guide book' during a stay in Egypt in the 1850s. Despite these simple beginnings, Murray would master the medium to become a celebrated landscape photographer. This photograph of Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh is from an album of photographs of Scottish scenery. Murray presented the album to Queen Victoria (1819-1901) in 1882. He inscribed the first page, '[p]resented to Her Majesty with a sentiment of profound respect and devotion.'