Black and white photographs, mainly of Dundee streets and buildings, including the old Overgate and Wellgate streets prior to their twentieth-century redevelopments. Buildings represented include Dundee schools, churches, factories, shops, and the Albert Institute (now McManus Galleries and Museum). There are many images of Dundee harbour and ships, particularly whaling vessels (including the Balaena). Some civic or social events are also covered, including funeral processions and gala days.
Wilson also took photography field trips outside of Dundee so there are town and rural scenes from Fife, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross, and Ayrshire included.
People tend to appear populating a scene rather than as the main focus of the picture, but Wilson also took portraits of some contemporary citizens.