A rare watercolour painting by Charles Rennie Mackintosh has sold for £65,000 at an auction in Edinburgh.

The piece, titled the Road Through the Rocks, was valued at £20,000 to £30,000 but sold for more than double at a Lyon and Turnbull event on Wednesday.

It was included in the 1933 memorial exhibition dedicated to Charles and his wife Margaret, where nearly all the later watercolours were purchased by personal friends.

The painting is said to capture the organic pattern of man and nature with an architect's eye and features a distinct approach to the countryside.

Paintings specialist at Lyon and Turnbull, Nick Curnow, said: "Mackintosh drew throughout his life, but his watercolours are rare.

"The 'Road Through the Rocks' dates from between 1924-26, following his move to the south of France on the advice of friends, particularly the Scottish Colourist painter, JD Fergusson.

"In this watercolour, he turns his unique approach to the countryside, where the interaction between the natural and man-made intrigued him."

A spokeswoman for the auction house said: "It's a beautiful picture and in a very good condition.

"There were a number of bidders in the auction, on the phone and online. We are very pleased that it sold."