Appeal to save Monarch of the Glen painting for Scottish Nation

An agreement with the National Galleries of Scotland could see the iconic oil painting of a red deer stag, Monarch of the Glen, saved for the Scottish nation. The owners planned to put the painting up for auction but have now gifted half the estimated £8 million value of the piece to the galleries in the hope that they can raise the remaining £4 million. This would enable the painting to be placed under public ownership.

The 1851 painting by Edwin Landseer is said to have been set in Glen Affric (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Afraig). This is a glen that is some 15 miles (24 km) to the west of Loch Ness (Loch Nis) in the Scottish Highlands. Glen Affric is said to be amongst the most beautiful in Scotland and is within the Highlands National Nature Reserve. Monarch of the Glen has been on display while on loan to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for 17 years.