By Oliver Farrimond
THE PAINTING featured on Alex Salmond’s Christmas cards fetched a stunning £10,000 at auction yesterday.
The John Bellany painting, titled “Macduff Harbour – The Homecoming”, sold for £5,000 more than the recommended guide price at Lyon and Turnbull in Edinburgh.
The painting was bought by Aberdeen-based architect John Halliday, with proceeds going to four Scottish charities Aberdeen Cyrenians, Islamic Relief, Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Bellany, who is one of Scotland’s foremost living artists, saw his painting chosen especially by the First Minister for his 2008 yuletide cards.
First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I’m pleased that this wonderful painting has achieved a sum in excess of its initial guide price and I congratulate John Halliday on securing ‘Macduff harbour – The Homecoming’.
“I am also very grateful to John Bellany for donating the painting and to Lyon & Turnbull for offering their services for free and including it in their Scottish Contemporary sale.
“The proceeds, together with monies raised from the sale of the limited edition prints, will help fund the vital work of four leading Scottish charities.”
