Burns picture up for auction

AN intriguing early portrait of Robert Burns is to go under the hammer in the Capital.

The portrait dates from the winter of 1786-87, during the writer’s first stay in Edinburgh, and is estimated as being worth between £5000 and £7000.

A 27-year-old Burns had travelled east to arrange the publication of the Edinburgh Edition, which was published in April 1787.

The portrait will be auctioned in the first part of Bonhams’ annual Scottish sale on August 20.

Bonhams’ Chris Brickley said: “This is one of the earliest portraits we have of Burns.”