North Highland College, The

The Johnston Collection is a historic photographic collection of national and European significance dating from as early as 1840. The Johnston family were amongst the earliest pioneers of photography, and their work spans almost a hundred and forty year period between around 1840 and 1979. Working in and around the Caithness and Sutherland areas, their subject matter ranged from general Highland life, through the fishing industry, working women, politics, architecture, and general portraiture, all of it of considerable historic value. The last remaining member of the Johnston dynasty still resides in Wick, and it is he who donated the collection to its current guardians.

Example items:

Wick Harbour

Wick Harbour packed with Steam Drifters.

"Wick Harbour"

Studio portrait of man in Scottish dress

A studio portrait showing a man dressed in Scottish dress with a kilt, patterned kilt hose, fur sporran, waistcoat and jacket, Glengarry cap and walking stick.

"Studio portrait of man in Scottish dress"

A typical Caithness cottage

A wonderfully presented typical Caithness cottage with its beautiful thatching and well tended gardens.

"A typical Caithness cottage"