The contrasting beauty of the countryside and coastline of East Lothian, has made the area an inspiration to artists throughout the centuries.

This is a large oil painting entitled, 'Casting for trout'. The man in the centre of the painting is standing by the edge of a tree lined riverbank, fishing rod in hand. It looks like an idyllic, sunny day with blue skies stretching over the fields in the background.

William Darling MacKay was born in Gifford in 1844. His love of nature and the beauty of East Lothian's countryside is reflected in the pastoral artwork that he produced. He died in Edinburgh in 1924.