About this artwork

Scott has chosen to depict Port na Curachan (Bay of the Coracle) at the southern tip of Iona. It was here in 563 AD that, according to legend, St Columba and his twelve monastic followers landed their coracle after sailing from Ireland. Iona is just off the Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland, and is famed for its unspoilt beauty. It was one of Scott’s favourite places to work, and he painted there a number of times. There is a preparatory watercolour study for this large painting in the Scottish National Gallery Print Room (D 5133). This painting is not quite finished. It was started on 10 September 1887, and he continued to work on it until the year before his death.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Port na Curachan, Iona
  • date created:
    Dated 1887
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    56.00 x 73.70 cm; Framed: 72.30 x 90.70 x 9.50 cm / 13.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1978
  • accession number:
    NG 2368
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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William Bell Scott

William Bell Scott