Tributes have poured in for dedicated charity stalwart and “champion of Perth” John Bullough MBE.
A dynamic force for good, John, who was one of the founding trustees and chairman of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), is understood to have died on Thursday night. He was 54.
The flying ambulance continues to help medics get to remote parts of Scotland, saving countless lives.
Stephen Leckie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, called John’s death “a travesty”.
And Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, spoke of his deep shock at the loss of a “champion of Perth”.
John Bullough of Culcreuch's parents are Michael and Sandra Bullough.
He lived at Logie House in Logiealmond and was married to Lady Georgina Bullough, daughter of William Murray, the eighth Earl of Mansfield.
He had attended Glenalmond College and Sandhurst.
The businessman ran popular city firm and family business McEwens.
He was also a member of the King's Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers).
John’s wife, Georgina, is a deputy lord-lieutenant and Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, Mr Leckie, is a friend of the family.
Mr Leckie said: “John was a gentleman who was dedicated to so many things.
“He was greatly loved by everybody who met him and knew him.
“His dedication locally saw him receive an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours in 2020 for services to emergency healthcare and the community in Perth.
“He was a devoted special constable in Perth.
“And not only that he also, being ex-army in the Scots Guards, was a king’s archer and he was the Adjutant for the Atholl Highlanders.
“But most importantly he had his family, wife Georgina and his son Hercules.
“What a travesty.
“We really are so very sorry for their loss.”
John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, yesterday said: “I am shocked and saddened by the news of John Bullough’s passing.
“As owner of McEwens, he was a prominent feature in the Perth business community for many years.
“Tribute must be paid for his monumental efforts in setting up Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, which continued to thrive under his stewardship. He was also a firm proponent on bringing the Stone of Destiny to Perth.
“My thoughts are very much with his family at this sad time.”
The Atholl Highlanders, the country’s only private army based at Blair Atholl, counted Major Bullough an important member and John enjoyed the position of Adjutant.
Lord Kinnoull DL, Convenor of Crossbench Peers and Lt Colonel commanding the Atholl Highlanders, paid tribute.
He said: “The terrible news of our hugely popular and respected Adjutant has hit the regiment very hard.
“As a Scots Guards Gulf War veteran, he had a wonderful mix of knowing exactly how to do anything while always retaining his natural wit and charm.
“John paraded with the Regiment in many countries, and memorably commanded the Parade when the regiment was at Hougoumont where the Scots Guards had held against great numbers during the battle of Waterloo.
“The private social media of the regiment has naturally a very sombre tone just now and I can say with great certainty that the thoughts and prayers of the whole regiment are with his wife, Lady Georgina and son Herky.”
In 2013, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) took to the air. John had been a driving force in establishing the organisation which he chaired.
Yesterday, a statement was released by SCAA as the charity reacted with deep sadness to the news that its chairman had passed away suddenly.
Vice chair Mike Beale said John had been involved with SCAA from inception and, together with his fellow co-founders, saw the charity grow into a major and integral part of the country’s emergency services network.
“His brand of enthusiasm for fundraising was to be admired,” he said.
“And over the 10-year history of SCAA he saw over £50 million raised, crews responding to nearly 5000 call outs and thousands of lives saved or impacted upon.
“John will be sadly missed by everyone at SCAA and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
In recognition of his services to Emergency Healthcare in Scotland and to the community in Perth, John was receiver of the Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in October 2020.
As well as being chairman for SCAA, John was a special constable with Tayside Police.
He explained his love of the role back in 2020: “There is no greater charitable purpose than to save and improve other people’s lives.
“Being a volunteer Police Officer has given me huge pleasure over the past 13 years. It is a great privilege to work alongside my full time colleagues to keep people safe in Perth and Kinross.
“I would highly recommend the Special Constabulary as one of the most rewarding and exciting ways to give back to your local community.”
A spokesperson for Glenalmond College paid tribute to John: “There is a great deal of shock and sadness here at Glenalmond College at the news of the sudden death of John Bullough. John was heavily involved in the life of Glenalmond, as a former pupil, as a parent, as a supporter, and as a neighbour.
“He made a significant and positive impact on many people here, as he did on a great many others across Perthshire and beyond. His achievements were impressive but it is clear that he will be most remembered as a fine man and an inspirational human being. He will be much missed, and the thoughts of the entire college community are with his family and friends.”
John was a businessman, director of Agile Energy Recovery and former managing director of McEwens of Perth independent department store. McEwens of Perth was bought by the Bullough family in 1982, more than 100 years after its flagship store opened.
There were three other McEwens branches in Scotland - Aberdeen, Ballater and Oban - with the Perth flagship operation located on St John Street a cornerstone in the city centre.
Through McEwens, John was a high profile supporter of the Better Perth campaign in 2015, started by traders who were angered by the perceived decline of Perth city centre.
He was passionate about efforts to re-energise the high street.
MP Wishart said: “John was Perth through and through, and his contribution to the city through his leadership of McEwens, the Charity Air Ambulance and the many public bodies he served on will be remembered with appreciation and affection.
“John was a great champion of our city and country. He will be sorely missed.”
