Some have wondered just how much hair Bonnie Price Charlie could have had left when he departed these shores leaving from Loch nan Uamh on a French Frigate in September 1746.

He seems to have given away so many of his locks, which were to be secretly treasured by Jacobite supporters, and have since turned up in private collections.

Now a commemorative ring which which is claimed to contain yet more hair of the Young Pretender is set to go under the hammer in Glasgow.

The 18th Century marquise shaped ring with white plaque has an image of a sheaf of wheat, reputedly made from Charlie's hair, with the words ‘In Memoriam Charles Edward Lewis Stuart 1788’ inscribed on the back.

This piece, which is valued between £10,000 and £15,000, will go on sale at the Scottish, Victorian and Edwardian Jewellery auction at McTear’s Auctioneers on Sunday.

The seller’s great grandmother worked at Cullen House in Moray for the Countess of Seafield who subsequently gifted it to her. Despite some claims to contrary, Bonnie Prince Charlie was never actually at Cullen House.

The second Earl of Seafield, who owned the property, was a strong supporter of the Hanoverian cause. But his house did feature in the drama of the Jacobite Rising, to his cost.

Prince Charlie and his army reached as far south as Derby. When the news reached London on December 6 1745, there was panic. But despite being so close to the sat of Hanoverian power, the prince was persuaded by the reluctant Highland chiefs to turn back north from Derby because the English Jacobites had not risen in sufficient numbers. So they headed back winning another battle at Falkirk on January 17, 1746 on the way.

Retreating north, the Prince's army marched in two bodies, one to the west via Atholl and Strathspey and on to their final day of reckoning at Culloden. But a smaller group headed to the east.

This latter section stationed dragoons at Cullen House, to watch the roads from the south for the expected Hanoverian advance. The Earl of Seafield was absent and they stayed for five weeks, plundering his property. It was reported that any furnishings or contents that were not stolen, were destroyed.

But the ring is seen as an important piece. Sarah Cotter, Head of Jewellery, Watches and Coins, McTear’s said: “Hairwork rings were very popular until the end of the Victorian era and were primarily made for mourning a family member or close friend. With the link to the Countess of Seafield and the inscription, we believe this ring will be of interest to both jewellery enthusiasts and collectors of historic memorabilia.”

Specialists at McTear’s have witnessed the value of period jewellery rising over the last ten years with some pieces increasing by over 80 per cent.

With over 300 lots of jewellery on sale every six weeks at the Glasgow auction house, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco jewellery continues to appeal to buyers from across the world.

Sarah Cotter added: “Our jewellery sales remain popular and if anything are attracting more and more interest due to the value of period jewellery increasing considerably over the past decade. Many of our sellers are surprised by just how much their pieces at home are worth.”