Capital's first car reg for sale

The S1 registration plate licence is being sold

Edinburgh's first ever car number plate is set to fetch up to £250,000 at auction.

The registration plate "S1" was originally bought in 1903, the year registration numbers were introduced.

It was bought by Sir John H A MacDonald, the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland between 1888 and 1919.

Also known as Lord Kingsburgh, he was a motoring pioneer who foresaw the rapid development of the car and the need for a proper road system.

He was one of Scotland's first car owners, and was also a founding member of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, which later became the RAC, and was the first president of the Scottish Automobile Club, founded in 1899.

I would imagine it would appeal to a patriotic Scot who wants to drive around with S1 which could stand for Scotland 1 Toby Wilson Bonhams

The historic S1 plate has been in Sir John's family ever since, and is now being offered for sale by his descendants.

The licence will be sold by Bonhams auction house at the Goodwood Revival Sale on 19 September. The owner then can have the plate made using the licence.

Toby Wilson, head of Bonhams automobilia department, said: "The number plate (licence) has come directly from the family, and has been with them since it was first bought.

"I would imagine it would appeal to a patriotic Scot who wants to drive around with S1 which could stand for Scotland 1.

"Obviously, it could also appeal to someone called Simon or whose initials are SI.

"However, so far the interest we have received is from neither a Scot or a person called Simon.

"First and foremost, it will be someone who understands motoring history."

In 2005, Bonhams sold registration "1F" for £144,500 and in 2006, it sold "M1" for a then world record auction price of £331,500.

In January this year, car design entrepreneur Afzal Khan paid £440,625 for the Formula One initials "F1".