David McLellan
Born: July 27, 1946;
Died: March 20, 2026
David McLellan, who has died aged 79, was an inspirational and active patron of the arts who fostered opportunities for young people and also the development of therapeutic garden spaces at NHS rehabilitation centres for people with spinal injuries.
Educated at Edinburgh Academy and then, in his senior school years, at Fettes College, he followed his father’s footsteps into law, undertaking degree level studies at Edinburgh University and then taking up an apprenticeship at Shepherd and Wedderburn. He continued his practice as a solicitor with the firm Dundas and Wilson.
He loved travel and with his long-term partner Mo Grant visited countries around the world including Australia, Madeira and the USA. But during a short haul flight from London in 2010 he suffered a spinal stroke (a blood clot within the spinal artery) which rendered him wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
David had to spend six months at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow where there was little or no access to congenial outdoor space. Five years later however he was playing a significant role in supporting fundraising to create an Horatio’s Garden at the unit – a beautiful, restorative space next to the wards with flower beds and a woodland area. Opened in 2016, it became the second of the now nine such gardens in the UK.
David was involved in the governance of a number of arts bodies including Dunedin Consort, one of the world’s leading baroque ensembles. He was a very early board member, donor and lately a patron.
Read more
'One of Scotland's greatest' Gaelic singers Donald MacRae dies | The Herald
Musician who founded well-known Scottish music store dies | The Herald
‘Madam Morag’: clan chief and supporter of ancient Scottish seat dies | The Herald
He took over from his father as the family solicitor to David and June Gordon (Marquess and Marchioness of Aberdeen) who lived in Haddo House in Aberdeenshire – now a National Trust for Scotland property. The Gordons, who were both musicians (June was a professional), ran the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society. A highlight of David McLellan’s calendar were trips to the house to sing in the chorus of the society’s opera in the spring and then in its concerts in the autumn. These outings were facilitated by Mo who also performed the vital role of stage manager to these productions.
From 2002 to 2008 David was on the Edinburgh International Festival Board when it appointed Jonathan Mills as its director and for a time he was chairman of the trustees of the Queen’s Hall. He sponsored many a concert at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, more often than not being seen as a member of the audience seated within the area for wheelchair users.
A number of smaller companies such as Opera Bohemia, which was founded by young Scottish musicians, benefited from David’s organisational expertise and guidance. He was a trustee of the Young Musicians Trust in the early nineties and, in the early 2000s the Tunnell Trust, which enables awards to young professional chamber music groups. The awards take the form of paid engagements with local music clubs throughout Scotland. Fees and accommodation are all covered. Often a whole tour is arranged to give the musicians a real taste of the life of a professional.
David’s main focus in the arts was music and opera but he also contributed to the development of talent in the visual arts.
He assisted with the selection of works for the David and June Gordon Memorial Trust Award, an award for artists living in the Grampian region or who have studied at Gray’s School of Art. The works have been shown in the New Contemporaries annual exhibitions held in the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture in Edinburgh.
Not everyone who wants to can readily access live classical music. From 2016 to 2024, David was involved with Live Music Now Scotland. It facilitates performances in care homes, schools, hospices and community settings. David was member of its board from 2016 and chairman from 2021 until November 2024.
With its strong musical and artistic traditions, the Scottish Episcopal Church Old St Paul’s in Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh was David’s church of choice. He was a member of its vestry and convenor of the finance committee. At the Edinburgh Diocesan level, he was a lay representative on the Synod and was a member of its finance and management committee.
Only increasing levels of ill health as cancer spread throughout his body towards the end of his life would interrupt these activities. Cared for by NHS staff he died at home. His funeral was attended by over 300 people, a measure of the gratitude of many for the contributions to their lives.
David is survived by his brother Michael and his children Julia and Stephen and by sister Rosemary and her children Samantha, Nicki and Pippa as well as his partner Mo Grant.
KAY SMITHK
At The Herald, we carry obituaries of notable people from the worlds of business, politics, arts and sport but sometimes we miss people who have led extraordinary lives. That's where you come in. If you know someone who deserves an obituary, please consider telling us about their lives. Contact garry.scott@heraldandtimes.co.uk
