Lyn Bulloch

Died: March 26, 2016

JOHN Lindsay Bulloch, known as Lyn, who has died of a stroke aged 76, was a musician, teacher, artist and a leading figure in many community organisations on the island of Bute, including Bute Arts Society and the Isle of Bute Housing Association. He was also a former Depute Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute.

When approached about the post in 2004, it was explained that the Lieutenancy, which appoints the Queen's official representatives in every county in the UK, was looking for "ordinary" people rather than retired military personnel and in his customary self-deprecating way Mr Bulloch embraced the “ordinary” label. His knowledge of the island and its people saw him carry out the duties with friendship and flair until his retirement last year aged 75.

He was born in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, on 2nd March 1940 to Jimmy Bulloch, the local grocer, and his wife Janet. After his schooling at Rothesay Academy, he went on to a four-year diploma course at Glasgow School of Art, specialising in stained glass and a subsequent year at Jordanhill College saw him qualify as a teacher of art and design.

In 1964 he married Marjorie Buchanan, who had enrolled with him at the academy and had been in his class throughout. After a short spell in Glasgow, while Mr Bulloch taught at the John Neilson Institution in Paisley, they returned to Rothesay, with Mr Bulloch taking up a post as teacher of art at the academy.

If they were to benefit from the transition from city to island life, it was as nothing to the rewards that the island was to reap from their presence over the following 50 years. When Lyn Bulloch joined an organisation, he was in it for the long haul; “I’ve done my bit” was not in his vocabulary.

Appointed an elder in Trinity Church in 1967, he became organist and choirmaster in 1970 and had completed 46 years in that role at the time of his death. He was also a member of Bute Community Council for six years, including three years as chairman, and another long involvement was with Isle of Bute Housing Association and its successor Fyne Homes, with chief executive Colin Renfrew, paying tribute to Mr Bulloch's commitment over 30 years.

He became a member of Isle of Bute Housing Association in 1986 and within two years had become chair, a post he held for five years. He followed that with a four-year stint as convener of finance. In 1998 he became chair for a second time, by the end of which the organisation had become Fyne Homes. Finally, he served for nine years as convener of finance and staffing, where he took great pride in the Fyne Homes staff he had previously taught at Rothesay Academy.

When Mr Bulloch's daughter Louisa married Pascal Cervoni in 1992, their home in Aix-en-Provence made for a holiday destination in the sun. When the Cervonis moved home to Linlithgow, Mr Bulloch and his wife began a long association with Crete, visiting there more than 20 times.

His passion for music was second only to his love of family. He looked forward to the weekly musical appreciation classes run by his friend and former colleague Alastair Chisholm, the organist at Millport Cathedral. He was a trustee, acting chairman, guiding light and an effervescent MC of the Bute Arts Society charity, which brings talented artists to the island for a series of concerts over the winter. He was also chairman of Argyll and Bute Concert Tours, the umbrella body responsible for the tour schedules and he and his wife were loyal and enthusiastic members of both the Ballianlay and Island Voices choirs.

His concept of an ideal day out in the city embraced lunch and real ale at Babbity Bowster’s, before going on to an organ recital at Paisley Abbey. His cultural forays and pursuit of musical excellence sometimes saw him at St Giles Cathedral, albeit the real ale was dearer.

Although a Trinity man, he had excellent relations with the island’s other churches, The United Church of Bute and St Andrew’s Catholic Church, and was ready to stand in if they had need of an organist in an emergency. He was in demand to accompany the singers at Burns Suppers and many bereaved families had reason to be grateful for his compassion and generosity as he played at funerals.

He was quietly proud of the achievements of his son Gilbert who set up and directed an organisation to benefit Third World countries and helped out when he could. The aim was to help countries develop their economies and wean them away from the dependency culture.

In 2014, Mr Bulloch was chieftain of Bute Highland Games. Over the years, the games have had a range of chieftains from royalty, in 1987, to stars from sport, stage and screen and they have all enhanced the annual gathering by their own particular talents and charm. None, however, have resonated quite with the spectators as did Lyn Bulloch when he fulfilled the role in 2014, resplendent in his Stuart of Bute kilt. The crowd accepted him as one of their own and there was a tangible wave of affection as he led the closing march down the High Street.

In his spare time, Mr Bulloch painted and while family and friends give pride of place to his colourful landscape painting on their walls, he resisted all pressure to cash in on his talents by turning out paintings on a commercial basis.

He was a most generous host, with guests enjoying a selection from his wine cellar followed by one, indeed often more, of his excellent Speyside or Islay malts, often a much-needed antidote after wincing at some of his more outrageous puns. He was a great favourite of young children, who viewed with great relish an invitation to his den, with its plethora of pens, brushes and paints.

Mr Bulloch had been promoted to principal teacher of art at the academy in 1972, a position he held for 25 years, before retiring with Marj in 1997. She had joined the history and English departments in 1970, when family duties had eased. The respect and affection for him as a teacher is reflected in the spate of messages of regret on Facebook from pupils who departed his art classroom some 30 years ago and more.

It was typical of the man and his concern for others that he had arranged for his body go for medical research.

He was a vibrant and guiding presence at the heart of so many aspects of his native island. That island will grieve long and hard at his unexpected and sudden passing on Easter Saturday. It will never forget him.

He is survived by his wife and children.

IAIN L MACLEOD