Royal Squadron in Leith Roads, at the moment of King George 4ths. leaving the Royal Yacht to Land in Scotland

In 1822, King George IV paid a visit to Scotland. He was the first reigning monarch to visit since Charles I in 1633. The visit was largely staged by Sir Walter Scott, who took the opportunity to re-invent and simply invent traditional Scottish identity that had largely disappeared since 1603. Crowds of thousands came to witness the event. In this carefully hand-colored aquatint, vessels of the Royal Squadron perform a salute in Leith Roads dressed in signal flags. Men and women stand and cheer on private rowboats while rowers work together to steady the boats. Behind the ships is a hilly and grassy landscape. Rays of the sun penetrate through the clouds to illuminate the landscape.