In 1870, "Mr Mitchell, Publisher to the Queen"  produced two large leatherbound volumes of  magnificient watercolour portraits by Kenneth Macleay RSA. Measuring a massive 22 x 18 inches (57 x 47cms) they contain 31 portraits of 57 individuals described as below:

 They are without doubt the most detailed portraits of Highland dress and tartans from that era and are highly prized as research tools and, of course, as portraits for today's homes. The original water colours are owned  by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and held in Windsor Castle.

We're lucky enough at the Tartans Authority to have copies of these very valuable books and are thus able to offer giclée prints of all the featured portraits.

Once you've admired MacLeay's wonderful artistry, read the fascinating details of all the sitters that help to bring the portraits 'alive.

Click on the thumbnails below for enlargements.

 Kenneth Macleay RSA

These 31 paintings of McLeay's are without doubt the most detailed portraits of the period showing in astonishing detail, the individuals, their Highland dress and - most importantly - the tartans they wore.

Victorian lithography has never been surpassed and the prints in the books are of such quality that they look as if they were McLeay's originals.

Kenneth McLeay was born in Oban, Scotland in 1802 and studied at the trustees' Academy in Edinburgh  He was a Foundation Associate Member of the Scottish Academy and became RSA from 1839

He was chiefly a watercolour portrait painter, producing both miniature  and full size portraits and is recorded as a portrait painter in the Edinburgh trade directories from 1822 until 1878, living at twelve different addresses over this period. 

He exhibited photographs in many of the PSS Exhibitions from 1856 to 1864 and also became a professional photographer from 1859 to 1863.

 Below: details from a few of the portraits.

Buy any of these prints now