On the Black Mountain, Argyllshire, Scotland

The Black Mount range in the Central Highlands, runs between Glen Orchy to the south and Glen Etive at the start of Glencoe in the north. The name originally referred to the forest that covered the slopes, but as the forest has disappeared over the centuries, the name became synonymous with the peaks themselves. The range has four munros, or mountains over 3000ft, Stob Ghabhar, Stob a’ Choire Odhair, Creise, with the highest peak, Meall a’Bhuiridh or Hill of the Roaring Stag, standing at just over 3600ft.

Richardson found success early and regularly sent watercolours to both the British Institution and the Royal Academy, while still based in his native Newcastle. He was elected an Associate of the Old Watercolour Society in 1843 (and full member in 1851), which may have encouraged his decision to move to London in 1846. By the time of his death in 1890, he had exhibited over 700 watercolours at the Society.