In the Cornfield, an oil painting by English painter John Constable, a boy has paused from the thirsty work of herding sheep at noon. Lying flat on a grassy bank next to his sheep, he drinks from a pool of water as people work in a field of golden wheat next to a shady tree-lined lane. Clouds tumble across the sky and a pastoral landscape unfolds into the distance, inviting you into its pleasant countryside scene.

In this talk, National Gallery facilitators and local history enthusiast Ron Brander will join forces for a lively discussion, building from this painting to explore representations and histories of life in and around Huntly around the time of the painting's completion (1826). From local droving on the 'Highlandman's Road' up and over the Clashmach, to the 'Improvements' and the lives of itinerant farm workers, Ron will draw parallels between the painting and our town's histories, showing how these have changed the landscapes we know today.

We will end this talk with questions and an open discussion.