Artist Jack Vettriano puts home up for sale for £1.6 million

● Painter looking to move south after his six-bedroom townhouse is sold

0 Jack Vettriano says it’s hard being recognised everywhere The luxury home of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano has gone on the market for offers over £1.6 million.

The 65-year-old painter has put his Georgian townhouse on North Castle Street in the centre of Edinburgh up for sale.

The three-storey property is near Princes Street and has six bedrooms as well as three cellars.

Vettriano recently said he is looking to move south of the Border where he is not recognised as much as he is in Scotland.

He said: “It is very difficult to live in a town where everyone knows where you live and recognises you as soon as you open the front door.

“I don’t get that as much in London, so it is better for me.”

The luxurious townhouse sits in the heart of the capital, with an array of restaurants and bars on its doorstep and a host of upmarket shops just a two-minute walk away on George Street.

Estate agent Rettie, which is selling the property, describes it as “a beautifully restored, classical Georgian townhouse with a self-contained [one-bedroom] lower ground apartment, located in the centre of Edinburgh, with generous proportions and flexible living space.

“This magnificent property is notable for its spectacular period features – many of which have been immaculately restored by craftsmen – including the unusual architrave plaster friezes depicting classical and pastoral scenes.”

Photographs show the interior with grand ornaments, marble sideboards and large gold mirrors.

Other pictures show a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling in the hallway, while one bathroom features a marble-style bath and a four-poster bed is seen in one bedroom.

The lower ground floor of the property has a hallway with oak floorboards.

The kitchen has granite worktops, while a garden room boasts handpainted, Chinoiserie wall paper.

Vettriano, originally from Methil, Fife, taught himself to paint when he was given a set of watercolours by his girlfriend on his 21st birthday.

In 2004 his best known painting, The Singing Butler, was sold at auction for £750,000.

He was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to the visual arts.