Alison Watt painting makes Scottish debut at University of Stirling

A painting by the award-winning artist Alison Watt RSA is to be displayed in Scotland for the first time, at the University of Stirling.

Le Bouc will form part of the University of Stirling Collection’s Art & Science exhibition series, as well as marking the bicentenary of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA).

The newly acquired painting, fully funded for the University’s Collection by The National Fund for Acquisitions, David Armstrong and The Art Fund, is from a recent body of work completed after a period of special access by Alison to the archive of internationally renowned 18th century Scottish portrait artist Allan Ramsay, which is held in the National Galleries of Scotland.

Neither portraits nor still lifes

Greenock-born Alison has been taking objects that appear in Ramsay’s portraits and drawings to produce a series of single objects which are neither portraits nor still lifes. Le Bouc (translation: billy goat) depicts a goat’s skull and is inspired by Ramsay’s ‘Sketch of a goat’ in black chalk.

Alison’s painting will be on display from Monday, 8 September in Pathfoot Gallery One at the University of Stirling. The University campus has a strong link to Allan Ramsay; Airthrey Castle, located on the campus, was designed by Robert Adam, who was part of Ramsay’s circle.

The RSA is marking its bicentenary in 2026 with exhibitions with more than 100 partners, galleries and institutions across Scotland and beyond. As well as Alison’s work arriving in Stirling, the RSA has loaned Species (Coelacanth) II, a print by Stuart MacKenzie RSA, to the University as part of its exploration of Art & Science.

Year of Art & Science

Stirling’s year of Art & Science themed exhibitions will seek to look at the relationships between art and science and the community of practice shared by leaders in these fields.

Sarah Bromage, Head of Collections at the University of Stirling, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring this exquisite and important work to the Stirling area, and we hope that students, staff and the public will enjoy its quiet beauty as part of our exhibitions this year. Exhibiting a work by Alison Watt throughout 2025-26 will also form part of our contribution to the RSA 200: Celebrating Together programme, which will champion Scottish art and architecture throughout 2026.”

Sandy Wood, Head of Collections at the RSA, said: “For 2026 we’re opening up our Collections to organisations across Scotland and beyond, and we’re delighted that the first loan to go out as part of our bicentenary celebrations is to the University of Stirling, continuing the strong links between the two institutions.”

The Pathfoot Building is open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, and there will be a special public tour of the exhibition series on Saturday 27th as part of Doors Open Day.   

Find out more about the University of Stirling’s Collection here: Art Collection  

Find out more about RSA200: Celebrating Together here: https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/rsa200/celebrating-together/