Ratho Farm, Bothwell Tasmania

Ratho Farm in Bothwell, Tasmania (formerly Van Deiman's Land) was a landholding established in the 1820s by the Reid family. young Scottish emigrants from Leith, near Edinburgh.

In the colony in those days, settlers were issued a volume of free land and free convict labour based on the capital that they had brought with them, to establish their farm.

The original grant was substantial, 1400 acres with one mile of river frontage on the Upper Clyde River.

After five years the Reid family were able to apply for more land based on improvements they had made.

Gradually over successive generations the property expanded. Eventually it included a golf course and became a popular destination. Since 2014. it has been established as a boutique hotel with lovingly restored accomodation in the surrounding outhouses.

It was here in March 2024, on a painting retreat with Art Adventure Tours, lead by artists Kerri Ainsworth and Jock Young, I found inspiration. Later, back in the studio I had what! considered to be, a painting breakthrough.

I was interested to learn that the British born artist John Glover. ( 1767-1849) . the renowned colonial artist had been invited to the farm, in 1838. and had painted a view of the house, and surrounding fields.

Ratho Farm became our focal point for daily tuition. home made meals, including delicious morning teas, and in my case on one particular warm and sunny afternoon. a close encounter with a large brown snake!

Wide open vistas of eucalypt woodlands, expansive views of fields and distant mountains was going to present a challenge for me to depict. My best approach was to use a panoramic format, and search out water views and selective trees for interest. The following pictures form the basis of my exploration.