The 19th century Carluke-born stonemason and self-taught sculptor Robert Forrest is best remembered for his statue of William Wallace which has adorned the Lanark Town Steeple at the Burgh's Cross for well over a century.

However, his famous gift of his image in stone of The Braveheart to the Royal Burgh was not his only work by a long chalk.

During his career Forrest carried out many commissions, both for private clients and civic bodies.

These included a statue of Napoleon and the figure which stands on top of the column in Edinburgh's St Andrew's Square — the very first public monument in the city's New Town.

Now another one of his public statues for the capital city of Scotland is going up for sale via the world-famous Bonhams auction house.

It is Forrest's rendering of King James V of Scotland, depicting an event popularised by Sir Walter Scott in his novel 'Cramond Brig', in which the monarch, travelling in disguise, was set upon by gypsies
and rescued by Jock Howieson, who received part of the Braehead Estate as a reward.

When he created the statue, Forrest must have known that debate still raged amongst Scottish historians over the incident he was asked to depict.

Some romantically said that the king had adopted the clothes and name of a commoner so that he could tour his kingdom under-cover to discover his subjects' true hopes and fears.

Others, however, put a far less noble interpretation on the matter, saying it was merely to cover his tracks as he travelled from one secret lady lover to another!

Whatever, the Forrest statue of the event is now looking for a new home after it was removed from its previous location, the now-demolished Clermiston House.

As it carries a B Listing, whoever buys the huge work will have to get the City of Edinburgh Council's permission for where it is relocated.

Bonham's has estimated the price of the statue at £40,000.