A portrait of Robert Fergusson has been discovered at a Scottish castle and could help shed new light on the celebrated 18th-century poet.

The intriguing discovery coincides with the 250th anniversary of the death of the poet, who served as the inspiration behind Robert Burns beginning his literary career.

The painting was found at Barnbougle Castle, near Edinburgh, and is part of a prestigious collection of the 5th Earl of Rosebery Archibald Primrose, a former Prime Minister and noted antiquarian.

The discovery has been investigated by Professor Gerard Carruthers, who is a leading Scottish Literature scholar, and he says there was previously only three known likenesses of Fergusson from his lifetime.

They included a crude sketch in the Cape Club minute-book for 1773, a portrait by Alexander Runciman and a painting by an unknown artist.

Now Professor Carruther’s research suggests the newly-discovered portrait may be a previously unknown one of Fergusson, who died at the age of 24-years-old in 1774.

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Professor Carruthers, who is the University of Glasgow’s Francis Hutcheson Chair of Scottish Literature, said: “This discovery could be one of the most significant Fergusson finds in decades.

“The portrait’s provenance and artistic features suggest it may be the very artwork mentioned in Fergusson’s own poem ‘Codicile to Rob. Fergusson’s Last Will,’ where he references a portrait intended for his publisher Walter Ruddiman.”

Fergusson delivered a huge impact on Scottish literature in his short life and his work and untimely death inspired Burns to write in Scots, and he referred to him as his ‘elder brother in misfortune’.

The portrait could now represent a significant addition to the historical depictions of Fergusson, with an inscription on the back of it reading ‘Portrait of Robert Ferugson’.

Professor Carruthers believes the evidence of where it comes from points towards James Cummyng, a fellow member of Fergusson’s Cape Club and a portrait painter who served as Herald Paint and Lyon Clerk Depute.

Professor Carruthers added: “While examining a copy of Fergusson’s works that belonged to Robert Burns, a portrait was also kindly presented for examination by Lady Jane Kaplan at Barnbougle Castle. I realised when I saw it, we might be looking at a lost artwork of immense significance. This may well match a fabled ‘lost portrait’ of Fergusson or be one hitherto entirely unknown.

“Whatever the case, we have here a late 18th century oil portrait of Fergusson, very possibly painted during his lifetime, and for which he may well have sat. The heraldic illustrations in the frame and surrounding the painting align perfectly with Cummyng’s official role in regulating Scottish coats of arms.”

Other theories include the portrait being the work of Andrew Fyfe, a skilled draughtsman and prize-winning painter who had connections to Fergusson’s artistic circles, or potentially a likeness of Fergusson’s sister who was known to bear a strong resemblance to the poet by an unknown painter.

The portrait has also sparked interest among art historians. James Holloway, the former Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, has confirmed the painting's late 18th-century origins, though he was unable to attribute it to a known artist.

Mr Holloway added: “It is a wonderful discovery and a great rarity.  I congratulate Professor Carruthers.”

The Primrose family have given access to University of Glasgow scholars from the Centre for Robert Burns Studies to increase their knowledge and understanding of Burns and Fergusson.

The portrait of Robert FergussonThe portrait of Robert Fergusson (Image: Martin Shields)

It has already led to two major historical discoveries, the first being a detailed list of materials for the construction of Burns’ Ellisland Farm outside Dumfries in 2023 and in January 2024, the discovery of a cancelled Burns manuscript of his Ye Jacobites by Name poem.

Lady Jane Kaplan along with her brother Harry, the 8th Earl of Rosebery, the great-grandchildren of the 5th Earl, have been instrumental in supporting the Centre for Robert Burns Studies research into their family’s collection.

Lord Rosebery said: “It’s deeply moving to see our family’s stewardship of these literary treasures bearing such remarkable fruit. Following the discoveries of the Ellisland Farm drawings and Burns’ Ye Jacobites by Name manuscript, this latest Fergusson find further demonstrates the extraordinary depth of our great-grandfather’s collecting vision.

“Now this Fergusson portrait and working with the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies show that after more than 200 years, Scotland’s poetic heritage can still surprise and delight us with new insights.”

The portrait will be unveiled to an audience at Irvine Burns Club on Friday, November 29 and comes as the University of Glasgow leads commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of Fergusson’s death, with an initiative aimed at publishing a new edition of his complete works and exploring his influence on Scotland’s literature.

Bill Nolan, Hon Secretary, The Irvine Burns Club, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026, said: “Willie Templeton, a local Irvine bookseller, introduced Robert Burns to the verses in Scots of Robert Fergusson, as a possible medium for his own poems.

“By his own admission, Burns chose Fergusson as his muse and while there is no doubt that Burns could - and did - write in English, it was his ability to write and publish in Scots that has set Burns apart from other 18th Century Scottish versifiers.

“Thanks to Irvine's influence, and especially that of Willie Templeton in introducing him to Fergusson’s poetry, Robert Burns’s works remains as alive and relevant today as they did more than 200 years ago.”