Police today recovered a painting credited to Leonardo da Vinci that had been stolen from a Scottish castle four years ago by thieves disguised as tourists.
The painting was recovered in the Glasgow area and Police said four men had been arrested.
Insurers had offered a six-figure reward for the recovery of Madonna of the Yarnwinder, stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, long home of the Duke of Buccleugh who died last month at 83.
The Madonna, painted in the first decade of the 16th century, has a chequered and disputed history. Leonardo is known to have worked on it between 1500 and 1510 for the Secretary of State to French King Louis XII.
But there are two versions of the painting and no one is quite sure how much work Leonardo did on either of them. The other version is in the United States.
The Scottish version of the picture depicts the Madonna seated against a backdrop of hills and a serene sea. Christ sits on her lap holding a wooden winder, used to wrap yarn, which is shaped like a crucifix.
In its style and feeling, the painting is often compared to Leonardo's Mona Lisa, which Leonardo painted at around the same time.
PA