This is one of Wilkie’s preliminary drawings for the background of his 1804 painting ‘Pitlessie Fair’ (NG 1527). Here, Wilkie has mapped out the outlines of the buildings in Pitlessie. Without the people, animals and stalls of the finished painting, this drawing, which would have been made on the spot, shows much more clearly the appearance of the village at this time. In the top right of the sheet, Wilkie has noted the materials of the walls and roofs of the houses. On the other side of this sheet are further preliminary studies for the figures and animals.