Lost Raeburn portrait of Burns goes on show in Alloway

Henry Raeburn's portrait of Robert Burns went missing for more than 200 years. It surfaced in a house clearance, sold at auction in 2025, and was bought by Burns scholar William Zachs on a hunch it was the real thing. Experts agreed. After a spell at National Galleries Scotland from 22 January, it is now hanging at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, about half a mile from the cottage where he was born. It went up on 21 July, 230 years to the day since his death. Part of the Portrait of a Poet show, running until 1 November.