Step into the captivating world of early 20th-century cartography with "Sheet 16 - Braemar and Blair Atholl," an exquisite creation by the renowned Scottish cartographer J.G. Bartholomew. Crafted in 1901, this map is a testament to Bartholomew's mastery in blending artistic elegance with geographical precision. Known for his innovative use of color to represent landscape relief, Bartholomew's work on this map showcases a subtle gradation of hues to depict the varying elevations of the Scottish Highlands, offering a visually stunning and informative representation of the region.

This map, part of Bartholomew's flagship series, was designed with cyclists and tourists in mind, reflecting the burgeoning interest in outdoor exploration during the period. The detailed political and physical features are based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map, providing an accurate and comprehensive view of the area. The map covers an impressive 36 miles from north to south and 52 miles from west to east, encompassing the picturesque regions of Braemar and Blair Atholl. The intricate network of roads and railways is meticulously marked, highlighting the importance of these routes for travel and commerce at the time.

The map's depiction of the Scottish Highlands is nothing short of breathtaking. Majestic mountains such as Ben Macdui, Cairn Toul, and Lochnagar rise prominently from the landscape, their elevations artfully rendered in varying shades of color. The Cairngorm Mountains, with their rugged peaks and expansive vistas, dominate the northern section of the map, inviting viewers to imagine the awe-inspiring beauty of this natural wonder. Rivers like the Dee, Don, Tay, and Tummel weave through the terrain, their courses clearly delineated, adding to the map's dynamic and lifelike quality.

In addition to its natural features, the map is rich with historical landmarks and points of interest. Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the British royal family, and Blair Castle, with its storied past, are prominently featured, offering a glimpse into the region's regal heritage. The map also highlights significant glens such as Glen Tilt and Glen Feshie, and forests like Glenmore and Rothiemurchus, which have long been cherished for their natural beauty and biodiversity. These elements, combined with the detailed representation of lakes such as Loch Muick and Loch Tummel, make this map a treasure trove of historical and geographical information.

The towns and settlements depicted on the map, including Braemar, Ballater, Blair Atholl, and Pitlochry, provide a snapshot of early 20th-century life in the Scottish Highlands. Each town is carefully plotted, reflecting the intricate social and economic tapestry of the region. This map not only serves as a valuable historical document but also as a work of art, capturing the essence of a bygone era with remarkable clarity and detail. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of cartography, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, "Sheet 16 - Braemar and Blair Atholl" is a timeless piece that will enrich any collection.

Cities and towns on this map

• Aberdeenshire:
• Braemar

• Ballater

• Perthshire:

• Blair Atholl
• Pitlochry
• Aberfeldy
• Dunkeld
• Kirkmichael

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Mountains:
• Cairngorm Mountains
• Ben Macdui
• Cairn Toul
• Braeriach
• Beinn a' Ghlo

• Lochnagar

• Rivers:

• River Dee
• River Don
• River Tay
• River Tummel

• River Garry

• Lakes:

• Loch Muick
• Loch an Eilein
• Loch Tummel
• Loch Rannoch

• Loch Ericht

• Forests:

• Glenmore Forest

• Rothiemurchus Forest

• Glens:

• Glen Tilt
• Glen Feshie

• Glen Clova

• Historic Landmarks:

• Balmoral Castle
• Blair Castle

Historical and design context

• Mapmaker/Publisher: J.G. Bartholomew
• Context about the mapmaker: J.G. Bartholomew was a renowned Scottish cartographer known for his detailed and innovative maps. He was instrumental in the development of thematic mapping and the use of color to represent landscape features.
• Creation date: 1901
• Map type: Detailed political and physical map
• Notes on the map:
  • The map is characterized by its clear, attractive, and colorful design.
  • It became part of Bartholomew's flagship series due to its popularity with cyclists and tourists.
  • The map uses different layers of color to represent landscape relief, with a subtle gradation of color bands to show land at different heights.
  • It is based on a reduced Ordnance Survey map from the same period.
• Themes shown on the map:
• Political Boundaries: The map shows detailed political boundaries of counties and regions.
• Physical Features: The map highlights physical features such as mountains, rivers, and lakes.
• Transportation: Roads and railways are prominently marked, reflecting the importance of these routes for travel and commerce during the period.
• Regions covered:
• Countries: Scotland
• Regions: Braemar, Blair Atholl, and surrounding areas
• Design/Style:
• Color usage: The map uses a gradation of color bands to represent different elevations, providing a three-dimensional effect.
• Detail: The map is highly detailed, showing various geographical features and human settlements.
• Historical significance:
• The map reflects the state of cartography at the turn of the 20th century, showcasing advancements in mapping techniques.
• It provides historical insights into the landscape and infrastructure of the region during this period, which can be valuable for historical and geographical research.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.