The sale of the contents of Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited mansion has raised £1.2million - more than double the estimate.

The furniture, paintings and antiques from Blair Castle near Dalry in Ayrshire were expected to fetch £500,000 when they were auctioned off over two days by Lyon and Turnbull in Edinburgh.

Among the items sold on the second day was a rare letter from Mary Queen of Scots excusing the then Laird of Blair from his duties at court due to gout. It went for £5,000.

A painting of Lord Frederick Roberts - who inspired the phrase “Bob’s your uncle” - made £9,500 while an 1804 painting depicting a scene from The Last of Leith Races sold for £36,000.

An unusual 19th century exercise machine was also sold for £2,000 and a small French 18th century pocket watch made £3,400.

In all, there were 1,000 items, which were being sold by Luke and Caroline Borwick, the current owners of Blair Castle.

They have also sold the castle, to the energy minister Charles Hendry, and will live in a house on the estate.

Gavin Strang, director of Lyon & Turnbull, said the sale had been a big success. “The sale room was packed with standing room only; we had bids on the internet and the telephone from around the world,” he said.  “We have seen over 900 years of Scottish history being sold in just two days.”