The paintings are expected to sell for more than �1.2m

The seven Bluebirds pictures were commissioned by Sir Terence Conran in 1997 for his Bluebird Club in London.

The works marked the beginning of Mr Vettriano's ascent to his current position as one of the most popular and hotly-debated artists in the UK.

They are set to fetch more than �1.2m at the Sotheby's sale in Gleneagles.

The Bluebird Club on the King's Road is believed to have housed one of the cars in which Sir Malcolm Campbell set one of his nine land speed records.

This connection determined both the theme of Sir Terrence's club and of the works that he commissioned from Fife-born Mr Vettriano.

The works are being sold because the club is undergoing a complete refurbishment to mark its 10th anniversary.

Major works by Mr Vettriano command strong prices whenever they appear at auction, with his sketch for The Singing Butler making almost �750,000 when it sold at Sotheby's in 2004.

The Singing Butler is the most frequently reproduced image modern times, yet no public institution owns a painting by Mr Vettriano.