The identification on the reverse of the frame, and the existence of a portrait miniature of Margaret Scott, née Dundas within the same collection, suggests the sitter is Major General John Scott of Balcomie and Scotstarvit (1725-1775). However, the apparent age of the sitter makes this identification somewhat uncertain.
Major General John Scott was a Scottish politician and senior officer in the British Army. His nickname was Pawky Scott ('pawky' being a Scottish term for a sly person or trickster). He is said to have gained great wealth from gambling and that he won a bet with Sir Lawrence Dundas in which he won Dundas House, which is now home to the Royal Bank of Scotland's headquarters, but he was persuaded by Dundas to let him build a new house instead. Bellevue Lodge was built and this became the home of the Scott family.