In pics: School kids treated to first look at Monarch of the Glen painting in Paisley Museum

Kids from Arkleston Primary donned antler headbands for the opening of the Monarch of the Glen exhibition, in Paisley Museum (Jeff Holmes)

ONE of Scotland’s most famous paintings is about to go on display at Paisley Museum.

To celebrate, a group of pupils at Arkleston Primary got treated to a sneak preview of the Monarch of the Glen by Sir Edwin Landseer on Thursday.

Paisley is one of four venues chosen by the National Galleries of Scotland to host the iconic painting.

The public can view the artwork from Saturday 20th January till March 11th.

Nicolia Vrachliotis, aged ten, from Arkleston Primary donned an antler headband for the opening of the Monarch of the Glen exhibition, in Paisley Museum (Jeff Holmes)

The image of a red deer stag was painted in 1851.

Drinks giant Diageo sold the painting for £4 million last year – half the market value – after a campaign supported by the National Lottery, Art Fund, the Scottish government, private trusts and public donations.

Members of the Right2Dance group performed at the opening of the Monarch of the Glen exhibition, in Paisley Museum. From left, Beth Gildea, Andi Brogan and Joanne McKissack (Jeff Holmes)

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, who operates Paisley Museum, said having the painting at the venue was a ‘huge coup’.

She said: “Having this painting on view in Paisley is a huge coup for Renfrewshire and shows we are at the cultural centre of Scotland.

“Many people will have seen the image used in advertising, but may not have realised it is a painting by such a famous artist.

From left, Zoe Gamble, Monarch of the Glen tour manager; nine-year-old Arkleston Primary pupil, Karhys Chalmers and Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure at the opening of the Monarch of the Glen exhibition, in Paisley Museum (Jeff Holmes)

“I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to see the original version of The Monarch of the Glen and it certainly is, as the pupils have been telling me – stag-nificent!”

Christopher Baker, Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery said: “We want this tour of The Monarch of the Glen to be seen as a huge thank you for the overwhelming support we received during the fundraising campaign and as a celebration that this amazing work of art now belongs to all the people of Scotland.

“We hope that many people will take the opportunity to come and admire this iconic and world-famous painting.”