The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides

In 1773, Boswell enticed his English friend Samuel Johnson to accompany him on a tour through the highlands and western islands of Scotland.

The two travellers set out from Edinburgh and skirted the eastern and northeastern coasts of Scotland, passing through St Andrews, Aberdeen and Inverness.

They then passed into the highlands and spent several weeks on various islands in the Hebrides, including Skye, Coll, and Mull.

It was widely read, discussed and criticised, especially for some sceptical remarks Johnson made questioning the authenticity of the Ossian poems, which were then all the rage.

The Journal served as a teaser for the longer biography Boswell was preparing for publication, his Life of Samuel Johnson, which would exhibit the same qualities.

Whole length portrait of Samuel Johnson in his travelling dress as described in Boswell's The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides . walking in a mountainous landscape. He walks with a tall stick; his left hand is held up as if declaiming. Behind and below him walks Boswell, a minute figure.