Defined as a national area of exceptional scenery, Fleet Bay on the Solway Firth has been a popular location for painters. In 1921 Robertson spent the summer nearby, at Gatehouse of Fleet, with his wife Cecile Walton (1891–1956) and father-in-law EA Walton (1860–1922), both of whom were prominent artists. Adopting a low viewpoint while the tide is out, Robertson captures the summer skies reflected in the shallow rockpools and wet sands.