A painting by Prince Charles – of a prominent Scottish mountain – is being sold for at least £4000 today to raise funds to save wild salmon disappearing from the country’s rivers.
The prince immortalised the 3789-ft Lochnagar – or Beinn Chìochan – in his famous children’s tale The Old Man of Lochnagar.
The story was originally told by the prince to his younger brothers, Andrew and Edward, and published in 1980 with royalties going towards The Prince’s Trust.
He also learned some Gaelic to introduce a Scottish Television programme based on his children’s tale.
And now Prince Charles has donated a painting of Lochnagar for an auction by the Atlantic Salmon Trust – of which he is patron – with a starting bid of £4000.
The lithograph is one of a limited edition of 20 artist’s proofs.
The trust stated: “The printing of the image has been supervised by the Prince of Wales, who has signed each numbered copy; on completion of the printing, all the plates have been cancelled.”
The AST will celebrate its golden anniversary with a gala dinner in London tonight, attended by Prince Charles and the King of Norway, Harald V.
The dinner will be preceded by an international symposium addressing key issues in the marine environment.
The auction proceeds will go towards research into why wild salmon are disappearing from rivers.
To raise funds for the research programme, “an exceptional auction of truly fantastic lots” will take place on the night – but previously went live for online bids.
Also on offer is a rare Eriskay Pony from the Outer Hebrides, with a minimum bid of £1500.
The auction guide explains: “It is said the Little Grey Palfrey that Robert the Bruce rode at the Battle of Bannock Burn in 1314 was from Eriskay stock.”
One of the other lots is a week’s stay at Miss Ballantine’s Cottage on the River Tay, with a minimum bid of £500.
It was the home of Miss Georgina Ballantine whose record for the heaviest rod-caught salmon in the UK still stands.
To view all the auction lots, visit www.astgalaauction.com
