In the Summer of 1800 Ibbetson went to live in Edinburgh and here he painted a view of the city, which was later engraved, and several watercolours. But somewhat disenchanted by his reception by his fellow artists, he left the city, following an invitation to stay with Lady Balcarres. At her suggestion he took lodgings at Rosslyn, and she also took rooms for herself and her two daughters so that they could be given painting and drawing lessons. From this visit there followed a series of views of the Castle and the surrounding countryside. A similar picture to the present one, taken from the grounds of Mr. Sheriff Clerk was painted in 1803 (formerly Ogilvie collection) and others are recorded in the collection of Lady Curzon-Howe (see R.M. Clay, Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759-1817), 1948, p.68 and pl.77).