3 July 2012 Last updated at 09:14 ET

Michael Portillo sells huge Colourists' haul in Edinburgh

Former defence minister Michael Portillo and his siblings are selling their grandfather's paintings

A major sale from the country's biggest private Scottish colourist collection is to open at the Edinburgh gallery where they were originally bought.

The Scottish Gallery in Dundas Street is selling pictures from the collection of late Fife industrialist JW Blyth from Wednesday.

Prices range from less than £1,000 to £325,000.

Former defence minister Michael Portillo and his siblings are selling the works. Blyth was their grandfather.

The 40 paintings are from the 237 owned by the Fife linen merchant at the time of his death in 1962.

'Fought for them'

It features 14 artists from Samuel Peploe, Edwin Alexander to JD Ferguson and William McTaggart.

JW Blyth started collecting art in 1909 and continued until 1956, just six years before his death.

The Scottish Gallery is now owned by Peploe's grandson, Guy Peploe.

Mr Portillo said: "Reviewing his purchases over many years it is clear that John Blyth had a passionate commitment to Scottish artists.

"He collected them, befriended them and fought for them to be recognised.

"The Scottish Colourists are widely acclaimed today and their work is instantly recognisable to a broad discerning public.

"I like to think that he made a contribution to the radical change of perception that has occurred since his death."