A group of ten, somewhere at West Pilton

Comments

Rod Wallace

Kincardine on Forth, Fife, Scotland

Painting of a Harbour

Thank you Rod Wallace for allowing me to reproduce this painting.

Bob wrote:

Question

"Are you able to solve a small mystery. The photo above is of a painting by my father, Charles Wallace. It was done, I believe, around 1915 when he was a youth.

I believe it is of the coastal area of Edinburgh. I wondered about Granton West Breakwater. Someone has pointed out that the two steamers might be on the Burntisland service.

I suppose we should allow for artistic licence as another of his paintings from this period is obviously a composite of more than one location. However, I would be grateful for any insights.

Rod Wallace, Kincardine on Forth, Fife: July 16+19, 2010

Reply

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

Not Granton

I don't recognise the harbour in this picture. In particular, I don't recognise the lighthouse structure. There is no lighthouse like that at Granton Harbour.

However, if you can suggest which harbour it might be, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Rod.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 19, 2010

Reply

Eric Gold

East London, England

Thank you. to Eric Gold who wrote:

Dunbar or Eyemouth?

"The painting may be near Dunbar or Eyemouth, as the lighthouses there are near the harbours."

Eric Gold, July 21, 2010

Reply

Steve Liscoe

Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

Thank you. to Steve Liscoe who wrote:

Scarborough Harbour

"I trawled across the EdinPhoto web site looking for pictures of Kincardine, but I can tell you that the harbour light in this mystery painting is not even in Scotland.

The subject is the outer arm of the harbour at Scarborough. This 'coastal resort' in North Yorkshire was a popular destination in the 19th and 20th centuries. Steamers from East Fife, and undoubtedly Edinburgh as well, would run holiday excursions to the port."

Steve Liscoe, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland: October 7, 2014

Steve also sent me a postcard showing the lighthouse, but I've not added it to the web site because I don't know whether or not the picture on the postcard is still subject to copyright.

Thank you Steve.

I've also sent an email to Rod Wallace, Kincardine on Forth, Fife (who send the copy of the painting to me in 2010) to let him know about Steve's message above. I hope that Rod will still be using the same email address now as he was using 4 years ago, and that he will receive my message.

UPDATE: My message did get through to Steve. See his 'Reply 4' below.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 18, 2014

Reply

Rod Wallace

Kincardine on Forth, Fife, Scotland

Rod Wallace, who asked the original question at the top of this page wrote:

Scarborough Harbour?

"I've just read Steve's Reply 3 above and had a quick trawl for period photos of Scarborough Harbour.

I have to say I'm convinced that it's a strong candidate for the location of my father's painting."

Rod Wallace, Kincardine on Forth, Fife, Scotland: October 18, 2014

Reply

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Thank you to Laurie Thompson who wrote:

Scarborough Harbour

"Here is a photo that I took at Scarborough Harbour in November 2011. It bears more than a passing similarity to the painting, despite there being nearly 100 years between the two.

Laurie Thompson, Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England: October 19, 2014

Please scroll down to see a larger copy of Laurie's recent photo, followed by a the original painting for comparison.

Reply

Steve Liscoe

Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

Thank you to Steve Liscoe who wrote:

Scarborough Harbour

"This lighthouse was immediately familiar to me, as I spent a few weeks living on a survey boat moored opposite it, a few years ago.

As Rod has probably found out the Light was an obvious aiming point when the German cruisers bombarded Scarborough. Indeed, it was hit twice but survived the damage."

Steve Liscoe, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland: October 7, 2014