The cartographic signs and content of Blaeu's maps of Scotland

Abstract

This paper examines the meanings, consistency and comprehensiveness of the symbols used on the Blaeu maps of Scotland. Through comparing Blaeu printed maps with original Pont manuscript maps of the same area, Blaeu's use of cartographic signs is assessed. Blaeu's engravers were generally meticulous copyists, but the maps display the characteristic inconsistency of 17th century map‐making. Selected evidence, particularly for Skye, also shows that the maps were not comprehensive in depicting topographic features.