After decades of gazing upon the wheels of justice from the walls of Dingwall Sheriff Court, two of the original godfathers of the global drugs trade are to be removed.
Amongst the worst international narcotics traffickers in history, they will be henceforth be held under lock and key in the local museum in Dingwall.
The portraits of Sir James Matheson of Achany and the Lews and his nephew, Sir Alexander Matheson of Ardross and Lochalsh, have been hanging in the court for almost 90 years.
Despite bringing misery to countless thousands of people on the other side of the world, both became MPs and were honoured for their public works.
James (1796-1878) bought the island of Lewis, built Lews Castle and was created a baronet in recognition of his "great exertions and munificence" in providing food for his local community during a famine.
Alexander (1805-1886) was chairman of the Highland Railway and built Ardross Castle in Easter Ross and Duncraig Castle above Plockton.
But both men were key figures in the opium trade between China and the West.
When David Alston, historian and Ross-shire councillor, discovered that the paintings belonged to the local council and not the court, he called for their removal.
He said: "There was a humourous element in having portraits of two of the world's biggest drug dealers hanging in a Scottish courtroom.
"But there was also a serious point.The trade in opium to China caused immense human misery. But rather than lock the paintings away, it is entirely appropriate that they hang in the museum where the public can learn exactly what sort of people they were."
He raised the issue within Highland Council earlier this year and persuaded the Scottish Courts Service to act.
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