Nightclub owner and Christmas charity founder Bob Ferguson

Former Crieff nightclub owner Bob Ferguson, who made a huge contribution to community life, has died aged 66.

He operated Scorpios for 17 years, served 30 years on Crieff Community Council and created the charity behind Crieff’s Christmas lights display.

Bob was a strong voice for Crieff, often defending the town’s interests at meetings in the Perth and Kinross Council chamber.

He was born in Glenartney Terrace, Perth, in 1956, the youngest son of William and Jessie Ferguson, and grew up alongside siblings, Sandy, Duncan, Bill, John, Stewart, Douglas and Kate.

Bob was educated in Perth and left school to become an apprentice butcher in South Street.

From a young age, he had been a member of the Sea Cadets and it was through the organisation he met his future wife, Marlynn Jones.

The couple married at Forteviot Church in March, 1979 and set up home in a cottage on Dupplin Estate, before a move to Auchterarder.

Bob’s career advanced and he moved from craft butchery into management.

He was appointed regional manager with responsibility for six stores and came to settle in Crieff, where children Lee, Gemagayle and then William were born.

Bob later branched into business on his own account and bought Scorpios nightclub in James Square, Crieff, becoming the only independent club operator in Perthshire.

He was always on hand to greet customers at the bar and the business became a family affair, with Marlynn, and the children in later years, helping to ensure its smooth operation.

Bob combined his business career with working in retail at Burgess and Gibson and then went on to manage Crieff Garage Filling Station.

After 17 years in business, Bob sold up to enjoy more time with his family.

He had combined his business career with a firm commitment to civic life in Crieff.

Bob served as secretary, treasurer and the chairperson of Crieff Community Council and stood down in 2011 after 30 years.

He worked hard through Crieff community initiatives running fundraisers, raffles and auctions to raise thousands of pounds to improve the town, most notably through the Christmas lights display.

Bob was at his most content when spending time with his family and grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan, Sam, Jacob and Alanna.

ACTIVE: Bob Ferguson, who has died aged 66, made a great contribution to community life.