The Scougall portrait (which hangs in the Council Room) is going on loan to the Scottish National Galleries in April to be shown as part of their ‘The world of King James VI and I’ exhibition.

The picture frame names the artist as George Scougall. However, Carla van de Putterlaar, an expert on Scottish portraiture has said this is incorrect and John Scougall was the painter. The 1694 portrait is a copy of Heriot’s original portrait by Van Somer. The original was lost/stolen whilst on loan from Heriot’s Hospital in the early 1700s.

Heriot’s money book will also be on display at the exhibition. We have an early 19th century copy of the book in school with the original now on permanent loan to the National Records of Scotland. The book details all the jewellery supplied and money loans and repayments.