Gallery raises cash by 'selling off ' historic figures from painting

Alexander McCall Smith has bought one of the figures in the frieze

Mary Queen of Scots, Robert the Bruce and more than 100 other characters who hold a special place in Scottish history are being "sold off", to help raise money for the refurbishment of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

The figures in the historic frieze which hangs in the main hall of the gallery are on offer for donations of between 2000 and 25,000.

Would you part with 2000 hard-earned cash for a one-off picture of Rederick? Vote here

The author Alexander McCall Smith has become one of the first to get involved in the campaign, purchasing the figure of St Ninian from the frieze, and it is understood several local celebrities including Ian Rankin have also taken figures.

And while Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been beaten to the punch to purchase the very Potter-esque figure of the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus, there are still plenty of famous faces left.

McCall Smith said: "I am looking forward greatly to seeing the new National Portrait Gallery of Scotland emerge from this programme of renewal.

"The gallery is a great favourite of mine, as the link between the people of today's Scotland and Scots of the past. It is one of our very greatest assets, and I am delighted to support it."

The frieze was painted by the artist William Hole in 1898 and it is described as "a portrait gallery in miniature", providing a stunning introduction to Scottish history, with famous figures ranging from Roman Emperors and Viking warriors to David Livingston, Robert Burns, David Hume and Robert the Bruce.

The idea is part of the Portrait of the Nation fundraising campaign to help fund 17.6 million refurbishment of the Portrait Gallery.

The refurbishment, which started last year and is set to be completed next autumn, will see part of the historic Queen Street gallery created by Sir Robert Rowland Anderson restored, and will provide almost double the exhibition space, as well as creating more modern visitor services.

Anyone who buys one of the faces will get a one-of-a-kind framed "copy" of their chosen figure, complete with a certificate signed by James Holloway, director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and John Leighton, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland.

Susan Diamond, head of fundraising at the National Galleries of Scotland, said the campaign had already attracted several bidders, with 58 of the 155 figures sold.

"We always wanted to use the museum for fundraising as much as possible, and the frieze seemed perfect as it was intended to be a portrait gallery in miniature," she said.

"The payments can be spread over three years, so it's not just the super-rich who have been able to buy their own little piece of the gallery."

McCall Smith is hosting a fundraising event for the Portrait of a Nation campaign at the National Gallery tomorrow which will feature poems by the author, based on five different portraits, set to music by Tom Cunningham sung by St Mary's Music School Chamber Choir.

The event starts at 6.30pm and tickets, which cost 18, can be bought from the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland on 0131 624 6459.

The Price of Fame

Figures on the William Hole frieze up for sale include:

Mary, Queen of Scots: 20,000

David Rizzio (Secretary to Mary): 10,000

Lord Darnley (Consort to Mary): 10,000

James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell (Third husband of Mary): 5000

King Rederick: 2000