Artworks which once adorned the walls of Billy Connolly’s Scottish retreat are being sold by a Royal Deeside gallery.
Corrugated iron cows, flamingos and dancing vicars all feature in the “quirky” Collection of Billy and Pamela Connolly.
The works, which previously decorated Candacraig House in Aberdeenshire, are currently on show at The McEwan Gallery, near Ballater.
The collection includes surreal paintings by Beryl Cook, John Bellany, Peter Howson, David M Bowers, James Grainger and James McNaught alongside traditional works including The Christmas Pudding by William MacDuff and an antique print of Joseph Farquharson’s Fishing on the Dee.
The celebrity couple sold their B-listed baronial home in Aberdeenshire in 2014 having bought it from Body Shop founder Anita Roddick in 1998.
During that time they became familiar faces at the famous Lonach Gathering which takes place in nearby Bellabeg each August.
As well as providing a dram for the Men of Lonach during their traditional march through the glen into the park ground, Mr Connolly entertained a host of celebrity friends during the festivities including the late Robin Williams, Ewan McGregor and Dame Judi Dench.
Mr Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago, now lives in Los Angeles.
Speaking about the artworks, Rhod McEwan, owner of the McEwan Gallery, said: “They have been attracting a lot of interest.
“Visitors are stopped in their tracks when they see the cows – they are very still and lend an air of serenity about the place.
“They are very realistic with none of the upkeep required for the real thing.
“Billy brought them back from New Zealand where he filmed one of his travel programmes for television.
“They were outside in the grounds at Candacraig and we brought them to the gallery.
“We still have about two dozen items available for sale.
“This is a highly original and eclectic collection of paintings, which reflect Pamela and Billy’s humorous outlook on life.
“It is a rare chance to view the collection as one.”
