Eulogy
John Duart McRae of Kergord

John Duart was born in Glasgow in 1944. His parents were both from the Inner Hebrides, his Father, who died in Shetland in 1991, from Skye and his Mother from Mull died in 1948 when John was three years old.

His Father’s sister Margaret known as Aunt Meg, raised John Duart and lived with them in her later years, until she died in Shetland in 1998.

John was educated at Glasgow High School, then at Fettes College Edinburgh. John always had a shoulder for people in trouble. Something demonstrated during his time in Hamilton and throughout his life. Family tell of his attending an Old School reunion some fifty years on when a fellow pupil came up to him and said how delighted to see his name on the attendee list as he had always wanted to thank him for being on the side of the underdog at school.

John on leaving school embarked on a fascinating working life and career. He joined Shell Mex and BP Scotland Ltd in Glasgow in 1963, as a Management Trainee. He was an administrator, initially in the financial aspects of the oil industry, then computers and personnel, these days referred to as Human Resources.

He moved from one place to another finding himself in, Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, London, Abu Dhabi, Shetland and Cairo. In 1974 he married Josephine, known as Josie, who, as a very supportive wife, made the best of the constant changing of homes and locations. A favourite of these had been the historic Kergord House, a forested estate in Shetland with a rich history. Josie, John and the local community restored the house and gardens to their former glory. After six years of research, no internet then, he applied to the Court of the Lord Lyon and was granted a matriculation of arms in 1972 and Gazetted by the Lyon Court in 1982 as MacRae of Kergord.

His final position was as Manager Administration with BP Egypt in Cairo, from which he resigned in 1986 to take his chances back in Shetland where a better education would be given to the children - even though he had been offered a post as a Job Evaluation Manager in London Office.

By this time John and Josie had three children, Janet known as Jenny born in Abu Dhabi, Helen born in Shetland as was Alexander, known as Sandy.

On leaving BP they returned to Shetland and after a year of cutting and polishing stones for a Shetland jeweller, they bought a condemned church in the centre of Lerwick and converted it into a department store and coffee shop, known as Puffins. This was a successful venture but unfortunately Josie became ill in 1994 and died a year later of breast cancer at the age of thirty nine.

During her final year John disposed of his business interests to be at home with his wife and children.

In 1996 after Josie’s passing, John bought the bankrupted Westings Hotel in rural Shetland. He turned the Westings into a successful Inn.

Josie’s Passing never left John and he often shared how much he loved her and struggled with her passing. He was profoundly affected by her faith as she faced her illness and marked this by asking me to conduct a memorial service at Hamilton South which he felt appropriate and moving. He would often speak of Josie’s faith and wishing he was more like her. We spent times speaking of faith and I would say if John had a patron saint it would be Thomas. Thomas the disciple who was honest enough to speak the doubts and ask questions that others held to themselves. He would also talk regularly about his children and granchildren.

John was proud that all his children went to University and have successful careers. He was very proud of them at their graduations and his daughters’ weddings, but could not forget that Josie should have witnessed these events too.

Over the years his love for Egypt grew, he would reminisce often and remembered the three charities in Cairo to which Josie had left bequests. He remembered how when he found himself on his own, the family having scattered, he retired to Luxor in Upper Egypt enjoying playing backgammon and dominoes in the local cafes. But as he got to know the locals and them him, the pressure for baksheesh (gifts of money) became intolerable and he retreated more into the expatriate community.

One story often related was that of Madame Janine Baudoux from Belgium who became a neighbour and close companion until her passing, enjoying being entertained and entertaining many colourful characters from around the world.

They both educated and sponsored Egyptian house staff through the local college, several succeeding to Diploma’s in Tourism and hospitality.

He also became well known for Mr John’s Jaunts. Walking visitors beside the sugar cane fields to archaeological sites off the tourist’s routes. Although taking no financial reward, the locals were not convinced and jealousy set in.

Twice John appeared in the Egyptian press being accused of being an informant of the British Embassy and after a series of interviews with the Secret Police no charges were made.

In 2010 John Duart returned to Scotland, nearer to family and his six young grandchildren.

He lived at Eddlewood Toll, Hamilton and there he settled for ten years. Convenient for the shops, Doctors, a great Pub and the Kirk. Most of all good neighbours. It was during this time that I got to know John who’s introduction to me was on the back of something he was questioning about a sermon one Sunday morning. Rather than have a debate at the Church door we arranged for me to pay a visit and never looked back. Arriving at his home I noticed a photo of a Young John looking like Lawrence of Arabia and so he started to share his life story with me. (I think he enjoyed that reference)

In time, an obviously smart and able man John became the Property Convenor for Hamilton South Church, a listed building, and immediately set to, to bring the Church and Hall Complex up to modern standards.

He chaired a Task Force to develop plans and guided them through decisions which led to obtaining all ecclesiastical permissions and approval from the Local Authority. Phase 1 of the project, disabled access, fire exits and the external cleaning of the building, was completed by Christmas 2018, £100.000 having been raised.

In 2020 John was diagnosed with Bladder cancer, a tumour was removed but the cancer returned within six months for which he declined chemotherapy and radiotherapy and so was on the list for a major operation.

In 2021 he moved into sheltered housing in Benderloch, back to the Highlands and Islands that he loved, having spent many happy times in both Skye and Mull with his folks. It was the right move. In August of that year he had his nine hour operation from which prostate cancer was diagnosed. In 2022 a cancerous melanoma was removed from his chest. All of this he fought with the positive inclination he showed in most things.

John’s life was a varied one. He had become a Queen’s Scout in 1961, won a trophy for best all-round amateur actor with the London Lensbury Players, in 1969. He had dined privately with Prime Minister Sir Alex Douglas Hume when secretary to the West Perthshire Conservative Association.

He explored the dessert with Bedouin in the Empty Quarter of Arabia, but happiest pottering around in a boiler suit working on one of his many restoration projects.

He was proud of Sandy, Helen and Jenny, their husbands’ achievements and his six grandchildren Lauren, Ruben, Ryan, Joel, Katee and Theo Duart.

An engaging man John went from parishioner to friend because he chose to share in my marriage to Jacqui attend my mother’s funeral, previously helping with her genealogy and the only man that I know who encouraged a congregation to burst into a round of applause after a Pentecost sermon. John Duart McRae of Kergord you are missed yet reunited with your beloved Josie. May God help us all release you into his loving care.

30thMay 2023

HD added comment – possible link to bible reading linking to the mountains. Dad often spoke of living and working in London and catching the sleeper train home for the weekends whenever he could. He loved waking up to the fresh air and the restoring views of the mountains.


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Psalm 121