Sir William lived l Ife to the full
Tributes to a much-loved man who touched so many people’s hearts
It’s easy to forget how different things were in 1993.
It had only been a few years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison and it was to be a few more yet before the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – the restorative justice body set up in South Africa – would get under way.
It was the year after the Los Angeles race riots that followed the acquittal of the police officers involved in the brutal beating of Rodney King, and two decades before the Black Lives Matter movement would form.
Such worldwide events may appear to have little relevance to life in rural east Perthshire at the time.
But 1993 was also the year that 18 year-old A-level student and aspiring architect Stephen Lawrence was murdered at a bus stop in London.
And, four years later, local clan chief and High Court judge Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie was appointed to lead the enquiry into the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the case.
The 350-page Macpherson Report into the racist killing of the teenager in south London was published in February 1999 and made over 70 recommendations for reforming the criminal justice system.
His damning report – which introduced the term ‘institutionalised racism’ into the
UK public psyche – generated a storm of criticism, which saw him subjected to denigration professionally.
But it nonetheless ensured that all the key parties — the government, the police and the Lawrence family — accepted the findings.
It was also an incredibly sensitive analysis of police and race relations at that time, and many of the recommendations could still be seen as relevant today.
It is fair to say that Sir William, who died on February 14 aged 94, helped to change the world.
Sir William was born in Perthshire on April 1, 1926, the 27th hereditary chief of Clan Macpherson.
He was the laird of Newton Castle in Blairgowrie, his home since 1936, and one of Scotland’s longer-serving clan chiefs, having taken over as chief of the Clan Macpherson from his father who died over 50 years ago in 1969.
Educated at Summer Fields in Oxford and Wellington College in Berkshire, he went on to study philosophy, politics and economics at Trinity College in Oxford.
Before going on to study law, he served as a captain in the Scots Guards from 1944 to 1947, and was called to the Bar in 1952 where he enjoyed a long and distinguished career.
Alongside his law career, he commanded the Territorial Army’s 21st Special Air Squadron (SAS) Regiment from 1962 to 1965.
In 1983 he was appointed to the Queen’s Bench in the High Court, and in the same year he received a knighthood and was made Honorary Colonel of the 21st SAS Regiment.
Throughout his legal career, he was involved in numerous high-profile cases, including the conviction of serial killer Robert Black in 1994.
He retired in 1996 and the following year was appointed head of the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Sir William married Sheila McDonald Brodie in 1962 and the couple had three children, Alan, Annie and Jamie.
Sadly, Sheila passed away in 2003 and Alan in 2007.
During his final 15 years, William was joined at Newton Castle by Lady Hilary Burnham, who was also widowed. The pair first met at Meikleour village hall when they were both teenagers.
Throughout his life he was a keen rugby player and golfer, having first played at Blairgowrie Golf Club – where a bridge is named after him – at the age of 11 in 1937, and it is believed that Bill, as he liked to be called locally, was the prestigious club’s longest-serving member.
A keen genealogist and archivist, Sir William could trace his family back to the 11th century and had family records – and information relating to Newton and Blairgowrie – from the last 1000 or so years.
He was also a champion of many local groups and organisations in Blairgowrie and Rattray, with politicians and volunteers keen to pay tribute to the “great benefit” Sir
William’s close ties to east Perthshire had in terms of local community life.
Sir William was a keen fisherman and fished the Tay and the Ericht and was a staunch supporter of the Blairgowrie Angling Club.
He also supported the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band – indeed, they wear Macpherson tartan – and also the Civic Trust.
He worshipped and was a supporter of St Catharine’s Episcopal Church in Blairgowrie.
He was also a member of the Royal Company of Archers – the Queen’s Bodyguard in Scotland.
Sir William was Honorary President of the Blairgowrie branch of the British Legion.
Jim Gibb, branch chairman, said: “His wise counsel, friendliness and support was very much appreciated.
“Colonel Bill led the parade every year on Remembrance Sunday. In recent years he insisted on marching with his zimmer frame and last
November he was at the War Memorial in his wheelchair.
“It was a measure of his determination to keep the importance of Remembrance alive for the future.”
Sir William was also honorary president of Blair in Bloom and hosted the award-winning environmental group’s 40th anniversary celebrations at Newton Castle in 2018.
Chair of Blair in Bloom, Mary Birch, said: “Like many others in the town, we were deeply saddened at the death of Sir William.
“He had been the honorary president of Blairgowrie and Rattray in Bloom for many years and always took a great interest in what the group was doing, attending, along with Lady Hilary, our AGMs where he enjoyed meeting everyone.
“Blair in Bloom celebrated its 40th anniversary at Newton Castle, where Sir William generously allowed us to use The Barn for afternoon tea and to enjoy the beautiful grounds.
“Sir William organised a competition to guess the height, age and girth of the huge Wellingtonia Sequoia Giganteum tree in the grounds and enjoyed organising everyone to join hands to circle the tree – which is over 140 years old, 104 feet high and 37.5ft in girth.
“It was such a special occasion, with beautiful weather and the stunning setting of Newton Castle made it even more memorable.
“Sir William will be very much missed not just by Blair in Bloom, but by many other organisations in the town. It was our honour and pleasure to know him.”
He was also a long-term supporter of the BOOKMARK festival in the town, hosting events at the castle and attending those at St Catharine’s Hall and the community campus.
Gail Wylie, chair of the area’s BOOKMARK festival, said that he will “always be remembered with great affection” and described him as “an enthusiastic and charming supporter”.
She said: “Everyone connected with BOOKMARK enjoyed his company, as did our guest writers, with whom he was always keen to engage in conversation.
“We will miss him and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
One local resident summed him up perfectly, commenting: “He changed so much at such a high level but still always had time to speak to the paper delivery boys, that was the measure of the humanity of the man.”
He changed so much at such a high level but still always had time to speak to the paper delivery boys