The painting was bought by an unnamed bidder

The image shows a couple waltzing in the mist. The print is one of the world's best-selling posters, but the original has rarely been seen.

The canvas was bought by a Scots art collector in 1998 and remained in the woman's private possession until now.

It was snapped up by a buyer with a bid of �290,000. Including the buyer's premium, the total price was �337,000.

It was sold to an unidentified bidder from the floor at Saturday's auction.

'Luminescent quality'

Richard Longwill, director of Edinburgh auction house Shapes, said the sold original had seldom been seen.

He added: "Interestingly, the original is much wider than the printed version and has a great feeling of light and space.

"Vettriano handles the light skilfully; the moonlight bathing the dancing couples has an ethereal, luminescent quality."

Self-taught Vettriano has been largely shunned by the traditional art world, with major UK galleries refusing to acquire his works.

However, the Fife-born artist has huge popular appeal.

His work The Singing Butler sold for almost �750,000 in 2004, the highest price ever paid for a Scottish painting at auction.