A Rolls Royce worth £235,000 which was gifted to Glasgow City Council by Sir Boyd Tunnock has been sold at auction - after it was left parked up for three years.
The biscuit tycoon, 89, gifted the local authority the luxury car in 2018. At the time, the gift unveiled by former SNP Lord Provost Eva Bolander attracted criticism amid cuts and hikes in nursery fees.
The Scottish Sun reports that the Ghost model of the car was last used in 2019.
A source told the newspaper: “My understanding is that it was sold relatively recently but, taking the disruption of the pandemic into account, hadn’t been used for a good bit longer.
“Ultimately, it was never the first option for transporting the Lord Provost.
“While it was used on some more formal occasions or when hosting dignitaries, it wasn’t the right vehicle for other engagements.
“I understand it was last used in 2019.”
It is understood that £105,000 was received for the vehicle which will be used to support a number of projects and charitable funds.
Sir Boyd is the current owner of Tunnock’s, the family-owned confectionery business based in Uddingston.
He is the grandson of the founder, Thomas Tunnock and inventor of the famous teacake, which was first made in 1956.
A noted car fanatic, the businessman has a history of philanthropy involving past vehicles.
A council spokesperson added: “The Lord Provost has primarily travelled in other cars from within the council’s fleet for some time now – with a 100 per cent electric Nissan Leaf the most common option. There are no plans to directly replace the car.
“The car was a very generous gift to the city that reflected the former owner’s affection for Glasgow and its people – and it is important that the proceeds of the sale also benefit them directly.
“Plans are being made to ensure it supports a small number of projects – which would include the Lord Provost’s charitable funds, as well as giving some of the city’s most vulnerable young people an opportunity to become involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards.”
A spokesperson for Tunnock’s said: “Sir Boyd Tunnock has no comment to make.”
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