Brewster, James (c.1817 – 1883) was a photographer based in Ayr from 1855 to 1880. He appears to be no direct relation to the famous Sir David Brewster. An 1860 advert announcing a move from 135 High Street to new studio at 20 New Bridge Street thanks his customers for 5 years of patronage.

In 1866 his stock in trade including his studio and contents, several cameras including stereoscopic and CDV cameras and over 3000 negatives including “Views of the Land of Burns” was advertised for sale in the Glasgow Herald. This allows us to tentatively ascribe this wonderful series of views, first advertised in January 1859, to Brewster.