Art of Advent Day 19

By Fiona McAllister

Sir Henry Raeburn, Reverend Robert Walker (1755 - 1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch, c.1795, oil on canvas.

Image courtesy of National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh.

If you find yourself flocking to Edinburgh for the Christmas Market this holiday season, pop into the National Gallery for a quick spin around between sipping hot chocolate and Ferris wheel rides. A topical piece to see, especially for the ice-skaters on George Street, is Reverend Robert Walker (1755 - 1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch by Sir Henry Raeburn. Commonly known as The Skating Minister, this iconic piece from the 19th-century Scottish Enlightenment is a joy to behold.  

Poised, puritanical, and proper, Sir Henry Raeburn’s depiction of Reverend Robert Walker gives his subject an almost comic light. As if straight off the Quaker Oats box and on to the Scottish Lochs, Sir Henry Raeburn’s subject seems out of place. In contrast to the misty, grey waters and fog-shrouded hills that envelop the background, our subject’s black garb should make him seem out of step with his surroundings. Instead, the Minister has seemingly found serenity and peace, wistfully looking ahead to the horizon. His composed dignity is deeply alluring and, admittedly, admirable coming from someone who does not look so cool and confident while skating.  

As we finish up finals and exams, the call to stay in bed and rot all break seems quite tempting. Instead, I will aim (sometimes) to explore the outdoors with the fortitude of Reverend Robert Walker, gliding forward into the stark Scottish wilderness. Furthermore, this cheeky Minister frequents the mugs, keychains, and coasters of the National Gallery’s gift shop, making an excellent Christmas gift for the adventurous and eccentric people in your life.  

Bibliography

National Galleries of Scotland. “Reverend Robert Walker.” Accessed December 17, 2025. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/5327.