John “Scotty” Pattison – The Scotty of Scotty’s Island
by Lori Nelson
John “Scotty” Pattison
c1910
This is Scotty of Scotty’s Island on Lake of the Woods.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland around 1840, “Scotty,” as he came to be known, came to Canada as a young man. He settled on an island on Lake of the Woods that now bears his name around 1880. He built a log cabin, cleared several acres for a garden, and lived alone except for the company of his cat. The occasional visits from folks from town or men coming to and from the lumber camps was enough company for him.
When Scotty passed away at Ernest Lalonde’s stopping place at French Narrows in April of 1922, it was said of him: “Perhaps, after all, he secured more out of life than those of us who live in the hustle and worry of the towns and cities.” He lived to the good age of 82 and is buried in the Lake of the Woods Cemetery.
Photographer unknown.
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This is the last week of the exhibit—Strike A Pose: Portraits from the Collection.
To say it’s been a weird year is an understatement! So many haven’t been able to come in and see the exhibit. For the last week of the show we’ll be posting some of our favourite images from the show.
It’s not too late to come see the entire exhibit— It closes on Saturday, March 27. Call to book an appointment today! 807-467-2105
Did you know?
Walter J. Phillips visited Lake of the Woods in the summers of the 1910s -1920s. This distinctive landscape would serve as inspiration until 1940.