Whisky Auction: West Coast Drams and Art in the Auction Spotlight
Founded in 1842, McTear’s is one of the UK’s leading independent auctioneers, with a market leading position in the sale of fine art, whisky and jewellery.
Headquartered in Glasgow, the company welcomes buyers and sellers from all corners of the UK, with rare and interesting antiquities from across the west highlands and Islands frequently making their way to the saleroom.
Discover rare whisky, stunning art, and unique antiques at McTear's Auctioneers – Scotland's leading auction house since 1842.Over the years Scotland’s oldest whisky auctioneer has handled some of the world’s rarest drams, with impressive bottles from west coast distilleries including Springbank, Glen Scotia, Arran and Oban, frequently making high prices at auction. Examples of the much sought after Oban 1969 32 years old often fetch over £1,000 at the monthly sales, while a hugely impressive set of Springbank – The Complete Millennium Collection sold for over £30,000.
In 2024 over 40,000 lots went under the hammer in 143 auctions, with standout pieces across categories including Scottish contemporary art, silver, watches, Asian art, British pictures, jewellery and of course whisky. Bidders from 50 countries participated in McTear’s sales, reinforcing its reputation as an international auction house.
Scotland’s west highlands and islands have long been an inspiration for the country’s leading landscape artists with a number of stunning works going under the hammer in recent years. A longtime resident of Arran, John Maclauchlan Milne - Scotland’s fifth colourist - captured the island’s varied and beautiful landscape in numerous paintings. His oil on canvas ‘In Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran’ is a classic example of his work, fetching over £20,000 in the Scottish Pictures Auction.
As Scotland’s leading auctioneer of Scottish Contemporary Art, McTear’s has also presented thousands of important works by renowned artists such as John Bellany, Jolomo, Peter Howson, Jack Vettriano and George Wyllie, amongst others.
In jewellery sales, diamonds shone brightly in 2024, with exquisite pendants, tennis bracelets, and a stunning £16,000 solitaire ring capturing bidders’ attention, while the year also saw impressive single-owner collections going under the hammer, including a £20,000 biscuit tin collection and an £85,000 whisky selection.
Advice on selling art, antiques, jewellery, watches, coins, whisky and more is free and without obligation. Entries are invited for all McTear’s specialist auctions.
To find out more visit mctears.co.uk.
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