Buccleuch dies

[gilmore]

John Scott, the 9th Duke of Buccleuch, has died. Although not recognized as such by Lord Lyon, he claimed to be chief of the clan Scott.

From the BBC website:

"Landowner duke dies at age of 83

The Duke of Buccleuch has died after a short illness

One of Scotland's biggest landowners, the Duke of Buccleuch, has died at the age of 83.
The former Conservative MP died after a short illness at his Bowhill House home in the Scottish Borders.

The duke, who used a wheelchair after a riding accident in the early 70s, was a strong supporter of country pursuits.

Lord Steel, the former Lib Dem leader and a near neighbour, said his family would be "immensely proud" of his "long and distinguished public life".

His Drumlanrig Estate in Dumfries and Galloway hit the headlines in 2003 when two men stole a Leonardo da Vinci painting, Madonna With The Yarnwinder.

His personal courage, vigour and humour after he was confined to a wheelchair was remarkable

Lord Steel

Police renewed their appeal for information about the theft earlier this year.

As recently as 2005, the duke was believed to be Britain's biggest private landowner, owning 270,000 acres, mostly in the Borders.

The Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth at £85m.

Born in 1923, the oldest son of the eighth duke - whom he succeeded in 1973 - Johnnie Buccleuch was educated at Eton and Oxford.

After the war he studied agriculture and forestry and became director of the Buccleuch Estates in 1949.

He married Jane McNeill in 1953 at a wedding attended by the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and most of the Royal Family at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

He later became a Tory councillor in Roxburghshire and subsequently MP for North Edinburgh.


A Da Vinci painting was stolen from Drumlanrig in 2003

However, he fractured his spine when a horse somersaulted and his career as an MP was cut short when he succeeded to the dukedom.

The duke worked with various bodies on behalf of disabled people and also sat in the Lords, speaking on rural, disability and constitutional issues.

In 1978 he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle - the highest honour in Scotland.

After Lords reform in 1999 the duke declined to stand as an elected hereditary peer.

A statement from his company - the Buccleuch Group - paid tribute to its former chairman.

'Much-respected'

It said he had "lived a life of extraordinary richness and courage" and would be remembered for his "commitment to the countryside and inspirational leadership in rural affairs".

Lord Steel said he and Lady Steel were "deeply saddened" at the death of the duke.

He said he was "a highly public-spirited man, an effective Edinburgh MP" as well as "a much-respected and innovative landlord".

"His personal courage, vigour and humour after he was confined to a wheelchair was remarkable," he added.

The duke is survived by his wife and four children.

He is succeeded by his eldest son, the Earl of Dalkeith. "

[Jock Scot]

Yes,he was a really nice chap.Our country will miss him.

[morrison]

My condolences to family, friends and those knowing his life.

[Pour1Malt]

he used tae own damn near e'erythin' roon here...

(still owns a LOT)... yin o' his hames.. (Drumlanrig) is just north o'' Dumfries....

[McG]

Yin o his casltles, Drumlanrig was originally built by the Douglas family.
Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed there wi his jacobites 1745 and had a wild night as ye dae.
They slaughtered 40 guid looking sheep(whit a waste) for supper, got drunk and upset there host at the time wha was the Duke of Queesberry. A liquid of some sort wis flung ontae a potrait o William III and is still evident today as is sword marks on a wall from the jacobites

[cessna152towser]

Yes, the south of Scotland will be poorer for the colour he provided and for his often controversial, but respected, political debate. As Robertson says he owned a lot of land in the South of Scotland - apart from major estates like Bowhill and Drumlanrig, many of the individual farms around here are still owned by Scotts of Buccleuch and tenanted by their current occupiers.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

In addition to the Buccleuch tartan (which is a traditional border-style black and white check), Lochcarron has designed Drumlanrig tartan that is very attractive.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/drumlanrig.jpg

[Dirk Skene]

That was a very nice artical. Thanks for posting it. It will be missed.

[GMan]

What sad news.

[starbkjrus]

Odd. I've never met the Duke or anyone in his family but I find I'm saddened by this news. I've ordered prime Buccleuch Beef in restaurants, purchased products from Buccleuch Foods and toured Drumlanrig. The tour guide spun an interesting tale of the family's history and seemed genuinely fond of the Duke. He will be missed.