We are honoured to have the support of eminent Scottish historian, Professor Emeritus Sir Tom Devine, who is pleased to oppose the decision of the Highland Council on this matter and says that he is willing to 'voice my deep concern over this unfortunate development publicly'.

Sir Tom Devine has issued the following statement:

‘ I wish to strongly object to the proposed sale by the Highland Council of the 1728 bust of Sir John Gordon of Invergordon.

The bust is an important part of the heritage of Invergordon and the surrounding area at the time of the Jacobite Risings and especially during the period of the ’45.

The local museum strongly opposes the sale and a petition is being established so that all concerned about this unacceptable decision can lodge their opposition to it. Crucially, also, the sale has already been temporarily deferred by the UK’s most important and prestigious expert body on the export of works of art and objects of cultural interest after a thorough evaluation of the significance of Gordon’s bust.

Highland Council must therefore  surely respond to this influential intervention by cancelling the decision to sell it, with immediate effect.’

Sir Tom Devine
Sir William Fraser Professor Emeritus of Scottish History and Palaeography 
University of Edinburgh