King George’s Love for Argyll
By Mr J G Mathieson, County Convener
My most memorable experience in a public life, extending to more than 30 years, was when I had the honour and privilege of a private conversation with his late Majesty King George VI.
The occasion was when the Conveners of Counties and the Provosts of Burghs in the West of Scotland were presented to their Majesties in the Town Hall, Greenock, on July 22, 1947.
Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, Princess Margaret and the Duke of Edinburgh accompanied the King and Queen.
After being presented to His Grace, the Duke of Montrose, I, in turn, introduced the Provosts and their wives of the six burghs in the County of Argyll. Shortly afterwards, I was summoned to His Majesty’s presence. The King immediately put me at ease by asking me to sit down and join him in a cup of tea. He then spoke to me of affairs of the county.
To my delight, he displayed a wide and intimate knowledge of Argyll, a county for which he said he had a deep affection. He was keenly interested in all I told him.
After about 10 minutes’ conversation, I asked permission to withdraw but His Majesty said, ‘Do wait a little longer, please.’ I came away with the feeling that I had left a gracious King, a great gentleman and, above all, a good and sincere man. His consideration, courtesy and kindliness, combined with his deep interest in the welfare of his people in Argyll impressed me to the full and are an indelible memory.
Right: The front page of the Campbeltown Courier of February 14, 1952 was given over to the death of King George VI and the proclamation of the new monarch.