The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Michael Hill, last of a jute dynasty, 92
Michael Hill, last of the Don Brothers Buist jute family, has died just short of his 93rd birthday.
He will be remembered in Angus as the driving force behind Strathmore Hospice, Lippen Care.
Together with his late wife Caroline, Michael founded Murton Nature Reserve.
Michael Henry James Hill was born on May 10 1929 to Lionel and Barbara.
Lionel, sometime provost of Forfar, was chairman of family firm Don Brothers Buist.
During the war, Michael studied at Winchester College where he was instilled with a love of nature that was to last a lifetime.
After national service in Nigeria, he studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and graduated with a degree in zoology and botany.
Following graduation, he worked for Boots in Nottingham before returning to Forfar in the late 1950s, where he spent the rest of his life.
He began working at Dons and oversaw the modernisation of the jute works with the introduction and production of polypropylene.
He served a period as chairman of Dundee Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the finance committee of the British Standards Institute, for which he was awarded the OBE.
His life took a decisive turn in 1986 when Dons was sold and he took early retirement.
He used the financial and intellectual freedom he was given to dedicate the rest of his life to learning and the promotion of charitable and environmental causes.
He will be remembered for being the inspiration and driving force behind the establishment of Strathmore Hospice to provide end of life care for the community he loved.
The work he and his wife did with Murton Nature Reserve had the dual aims of nurturing the environment and affording educational opportunities.
He ran marathons for local causes and, like his father before him, was a treasurer of St John’s Church in Forfar, where he sang in the choir every Sunday.
He also served in The Black Watch (TA) and was a member of the Royal Company of Archers.
A family man to the last, he was also committed to his community in Forfar, which he served with his own brand of humility and dedication that endeared him to all who met him.
He spent the last few years of his life at The Glade care home in Brechin.
He is survived by his four children – Nicola, Emma, Peter and Sophie – their spouses and his six grandchildren.
A memorial and celebration of his life will take place on Friday June 24 at St John’s Church and the Murton Nature Reserve to which his many friends are warmly invited.