William Daniell RA: Engraving of Donolly Castle, Oban, Argyllshire

William Daniell RA (1769-1837) was an English landscape and marine painter and printmaker, notable for his work in aquatint. In 1813, he started work on his greatest achievement: a series of aquatints for "A Voyage Round Great Britain" which he published with his friend Ayton between 1814-25. There were 308 illustrations done for this work of which this, of Donelly Castle, on the West coast of Scotland, is one, dated 1817. Daniell was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1822. Donolly Castle (now spelt “Donollie”) has a history going back to the 7th century and was part of the Kingdom of the Isles. In 12th century, it was owned by the MacDougall clan and forfeited to the Campbells before being regained in 14th century. The present castle dates mainly from 15th century. Daniell always manages to make his scenes look tranquil and serene. This image would make a nice pair with our other Daniell engraving of Dunstaffnage Castle about 4 miles away on the same coast.