William Mowat-Thomson | A Scotsman’s Collection

Throughout his life, William Mowat-Thomson assembled a stunning collection of art and antiques. His tastes were international, collecting objects of beauty from the world-over. At the heart of his collection is a proud Scottish identity. Orkney-born and raised, a childhood of lush, rural scenery in the Scottish Isles inspired in William a love of nature and traditional country homes. His talent in and pursuit of dance and music led him to the city of Edinburgh, where he established his school of dance.

Here he made his home, and a fine home it was. The stunning Georgian townhouse on St Bernard’s Crescent became William’s V&A, a museum-like collection of art and antiques curated over a lifetime. 
 
Explore the Scottish roots of this wonderfully prolific collector.

 This dreamlike, stirring artwork by Edinburgh-based artist Brent Millar is representative of his oeuvre; scenes of imagination, symbolism and nature constitute his stylistic signature. A household name for collectors of contemporary Scottish art, Millar has established a strong name for himself in the Edinburgh art scene. 

James Gregory (1638 – 1675) was a Scottish mathematician and astronomer. He made advancements in the field of trigonometry and was behind the prototypical design for the reflecting telescope. An important figure in the Enlightenment era, this striking bust represents Scotland’s part in global scientific advancement. 

Colonsay is a Scottish island of the Inner Hebrides with a rich heritage of clan history and stunning scenes of natural beauty. This dynamic landscape, crashing waves breaking upon the crags as gulls swoop by the cliffs, speaks to the romanticism of the Scottish landscape. The depth of the water evokes a sense of awe and adventure, capturing perfectly a moment of unbridled nature. 

Ayton Castle, in the Scottish Borders, is widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest baronial style buildings and was designed by James Gillespie Graham, one of Scotland's leading Gothic revival architects of the early 19th Century.

Viewing opens to the public on Tuesday 14 September.

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Bidding is available in the saleroom, live online, on the telephone and by absentee bid. 

Learn more about William Mowat-Thomson and order your own printed catalogue here >>