A brief guide to the artwork that could make Invergordon £2.5m

While Highland Council looked into the ownership issue the bust went on an international tour.

It was displayed at The Louvre in Paris and J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, before returning to the Highlands.

For some time now it has been locked away in secure Highland Council storage.

The local authority says its insurers have warned that should not be on public display due to its high value and “associated security implications”.

Meanwhile, ownership has been cleared up and it was agreed it was a common good fund asset.

Now a private buyer has approached Highland Council, via auctioneers Sotheby’s, with an offer of £2.5m.

In May, the council’s Black Isle and Easter Ross committee agreed a sale should go ahead.

This proposal could be rubber stamped at a meeting of the full council later.

Under the plans, a museum-quality replica would be commissioned for display in the Highlands.