A businessman and founder of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance John Bullough has died suddenly aged 54.
Tributes have been paid to the former McEwens of Perth boss, who passed away while in London on Thursday.
The former Army officer was best known for founding Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) which operates one of its helicopters out of Aberdeen airport.
He was also instrumental in the campaign to bring the Stone of Destiny back to Perth.
SCAA vice chairman, Mike Beale, said: “His brand of enthusiasm for fundraising was to be admired.
“Over the 10-year history of SCAA he saw over £50 million raised, crews responding to nearly 5,000 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.”
Mansfield family pay tribute
Mr Bullough was married to Lady Georgina Bullough, the daughter of the late Earl of Mansfield.
The couple wed at St John’s Kirk in Perth in October 1998. They had one son together.
In a statement, the Mansfield family said: “Lord and Lady Mansfield and family are mourning the death of a greatly loved family member, and they would be grateful if they could be left in peace at this difficult time.”
Mr Bullough was born in Brampton in Cumbria and brought up at Huntingtower, near Perth.
He attended Glenalmond College before graduating from The Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.
He then served with the Scots Guards during the first Gulf War and in Northern Ireland – leaving the army after five years with the rank of captain.
As well as his charity and business work, John Bullough was also also a major and adjutant of the Atholl Highlanders and a Perth and Kinross committee member of the Order of St John.
He also volunteered as a Special Constable, working predominately as a response officer attending a wide variety of Police Scotland emergency calls in and around Perth city centre.
Lord-Lieutenant of Perth & Kinross, Stephen Leckie, said: “We are all devastated by this news, it was tragic to hear.
“Anyone who met John would just be captured by his energy, his enthusiasm and his dedication to whatever he turned his hand to.
“There will be a lot of people, personally and professionally, who will really miss his persona and presence but in particular his family and those close to him.”
‘Love of Perth and Kinross was clear’
Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade also paid tribute, adding: “On behalf of my fellow councillors and all at Perth and Kinross Council, we are saddened by the news of John Bullough’s passing.
“John’s love for and commitment to Perth and Kinross was clear through his management of McEwens of Perth, his leadership of the very first iteration of the Perth City Leadership Forum and as founder of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance at its home base in Scone.
“He will be a much-missed champion of this area. Our thoughts are with his wife Georgina, their son, and all of his family and friends at this sad time.”
Perthshire MP Pete Wishart called Mr Bullough’s death “desperately sad”.
Mr Wishart wrote on Twitter: “He got so much done in Perth through his unending energy and enthusiasm.
“He was also just a thoroughly nice guy. My thoughts with Georgina and the family.”
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