Famed artwork to stay in Scotland £4m fundraising drive secures Monarch Of The Glen

The Monarch Of The Glen painting will remain on public display, after a successful £4 million fundraising drive.

The 1851 work by Sir Edwin Landseer, which features the image of a stag in a misty Highland landscape, has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS).

Privately owned by drinks giant Diageo, the painting has been on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the last 17 years.

The company announced last year its intention to sell the painting and agreed to waive half of the expected £8m asking price to help it remain in public view in Scotland.

NGS led a fundraising drive with support from the public, the National Lottery, the Art Fund, the Scottish Government, private trusts and foundations that has secured the future display of the Monarch Of The Glen.

NGS director-general Sir John Leighton said: “The enormous support from the public has been incredible with donations coming from all over the world and from the length and breadth of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“Thank-you so much to everyone who has donated. Your gift has helped to ensure that this magnificent work will be enjoyed by millions of people for generations to come.”

David Cutter, Diageo’s senior director in Scotland, said: “We are very happy to have partnered with the NGS and to see the positive outcome of that with the Monarch Of The Glen passing into permanent public ownership in Scotland for the first time in its history.”

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The overwhelmingly positive response to the public fundraising campaign underlines the importance of the painting to people in Scotland and around the world.

“I am pleased the Scottish Government was able to provide £100,000 towards its acquisition and a further £75,000 for a tour that will enable communities across Scotland to see it.”

The enormous support from the public has been incredible with donations coming from all over the world ...

Majestic: there are now plans for The Monarch Of The Glen to go on tour around Scotland.