This early painting by MacTaggart depicts the road from Edinburgh to Lasswade, looking south. The artist took this road daily from his home near Lasswade, to teach at Edinburgh College of Art. The painting shows a looseness of handling which the artist was beginning to introduce into his paintings. The scene is formed with confident, rhythmic brushstrokes. At the time this piece was painted, MacTaggart was particularly interested in the work of Chaïm Soutine, whose paintings are distinguished by their energetic brushwork.