JOHN  BULLOUGH

 Father of Sir George Bullough, Bt.

Written from first-hand, on-going research, and illustrated from his personal photographic archive by George W. Randall, co-founder in 1996 and former 

Vice Chairman of Kinloch Castle Friends’ Association.

Above the fireplace in Kinloch Castle’s dining room is the ornate gilded framed portrait of a seated John Bullough who purchased the 26,400 acre island of Rum 

in May 1888 for £35,000.

The unlined, medium weight plain weave canvas portrait
 measures: 45 x 58 inches (110 x 140 cms.)

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Signed HARE in the top left corner in upper case red lettering, 

the work is by the Irish artist St. George Hare, 1857 - 1933, and was most likely painted in 1884 for forty-five year old John Bullough's new Highland home, 

Meggernie Castle, in the upper reaches of Glen Lyon, Perthshire.

Professionally assessed by an art conservator in March 1996, the oil painting

was found to be in “good and sound condition” throughout, 

the numerous pronounced and variable pattern drying cracks across the work being 

deemed stable. The frame was “structurally sound.”

Canvas tension was “a little slack, but reasonable”, with “some bulging along the lower edge, probably caused by dropped wedges.” No tears or losses were found.

Discolouration was considered “not excessive” but recommendations included removal of surface dirt from varnished paint layer and particularly the reverse, treatment of canvas deformation along lower edge and bloomed areas of paint, and re-varnish.

The frame and stretcher required a protective velvet gluing to the rebate and securing

stretcher keys. The painting should be refitted with brass plates and screws.

At the time of the Report all recommendations could be carried out on-site.

JOHN BULLOUGH 1839-1891 

FATHER OF GEORGE (LATER SIR GEORGE) BULLOUGH, BARONET.

Photographed August 1999.

The Will was drawn-up in December 1890.

Cover of  John Bullough's Letters and Speeches, his monogram adorns each cover

of the three volume work published by his wife, Alexandra after his death.

Mosaic from original hill-side burial at Harris, Isle of Rum.

The rear wall of John Bullough's original resting place is visible on the hillside.

His re-interred tomb lies centre in the Mausoleum at Harris,

Sir George Bullough's tomb foreground, Lady Bullough's tomb beyond. 

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October 2025.

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Further research indicates John Bullough  was feeling seriously ill in the summer of 1890 as this poem written on 11 August 1890 indicates:

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The following day, 12 August, the "Glorious Twelfth", is the start of the red grouse shooting season. 

At this time John would normally be ready to enjoy this most important date in the field sports calendar but he clearly was suffering deep bouts of melancholy as his words suggest.

Perhaps fearing the worst in December (1890) he drew-up and signed his Last Will and Testament.

Despite everything  he must have been looking forward to 28 February 1891, his eldest son George's twenty-first birthday, but his health failed to improve. 

In the hope good health would soon return John moved to The Royal Hotel, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, where in January 1891, only a few weeks before his son George's twenty-first birthday,  he wrote the following poem:

Though old and bent, with dim eyes he still beholds the hills and skies ... ...

  My hair is grey,

Sign of decay,

'Twill break my heart,

When we must part."

In a last ditch attempt to improve his health, accompanied by his wife and two young children, the family decided some time in the warmer, drier climate of the Mediterranean would be beneficial.

With his health not improving John decided, 

Exactly 

 health deteriorated, congestion of the lungs set in.

  

REVIEWED WITH ADDED MATERIAL BY THE AUTHOR 

15 OCTOMER 2025.