Obituary: Brigadier John Macfarlane
Brigadier John Macfarlane, who has died aged 83, was during his service the only Gaelicspeaking officer of that rank in the British army, a fact of which he was immensely proud.
He had been born to a bilingual family in Tobermory, his father Donald running an emporium in which you could buy everything from butter cut from large pats to clothing.
His mother Mary, a teacher, was a highly respected Gaelic scholar and Taynuilt historian who left an invaluable cultural legacy for her son.
After Tobermory High School, John moved on to Oban High School where his older sister Anne had been joint Dux. He then studied modern languages at Glasgow University before joining the army and serving for more than 30 years, both at home and overseas.
He finished his army career as the Ministry of Defence director of education and training services. His work was primarily as a linguist and intelligence officer – John was fluent in Gaelic, French and German. He taught himself Malay and Cantonese. He studied Turkish at Istanbul University and studied Gurkhali before serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas in the Far East. He also had a masters degree in linguistics.
After work in the Arab world, John finally retired to Taynuilt which had long been a second home to the Macfarlane family at Tighnambarr.
His artist wife
Val and
John were wonderful hosts as Highland lore and legend were put in their proper context.
At Oban High School John had gone by the nickname of “Tob” and this was highly appropriate for a man who could later in life recount the meaning of and stories behind all the bizarre nicknames of residents of his native Tobermory when he was a boy.
John had a particular interest in place names and a special project was to chronicle the Gaelic names of the pools on his beloved River Awe near his Taynuilt home where he was a keen walker.
He became an accomplished broadcaster for Gaelic radio and television, and his programme on Monte Cassino achieved great acclaim. John could safely be called one of the last true speakers of both Mull and Taynuilt Gaelic.
Fittingly, he could have told you who of his illustrious Highland predecessors as brigadiers spoke Gaelic. He produced a booklet telling the stories of the fallen on the Taynuilt War Memorial and raised funds for a plaque for those from the Second World War. In speaking of past people, John never forgot his army background and would say the person was “an ex-8th Argyll” or a “prisoner of the Japanese.”
John was involved in many organisations, both local and national. He was president of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association charity (SSAFA), Argyll branch, as well as the 1745 Association, and he was also Chieftain of the Gaelic Society of Inverness. As Gaelic tutor to Taynuilt Gaelic Choir, he also sang in the choir, as well as in that of St John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Oban, where he was a committed and enthusiastic member of the congregation.
In 2018 Sabhal Mòr Ostaig honoured John with its Sàr Ghàidheal Fellowship, which is awarded to individuals in recognition of their tremendous contribution and dedication to the Gaelic language and culture. John Macfarlane was always willing to share his knowledge.
Mull Highland Games will celebrate its centenary this July and he provided much valuable material to be included in the book which is being produced for the event.
His knowledge and love of piping was also deep, and after a competition he said that Jamie Forrester, with Mull connections, was one to watch out for. Sure enough Jamie went on to win the Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal the following year.
It is impossible to sum up such a rich life in a brief summary, but what we can say for sure is that John Macfarlane was a scholar, folklorist, linguist, story-teller, writer and broadcaster on the history and culture of his beloved Highlands and islands of the highest calibre. But, more importantly, he wore his learning lightly and recounted his stories with a humility and humour learned from his parents and the old worthies of his youth on Tobermory Main Street.
He leaves both a great legacy, but also a huge void in the life and lore of the Highlands.
Of course, the greatest loss is to his family and our condolences are extended to Val and their children Vanessa, Isla and Calum.
John will be laid to rest near his parents and sister in Muckairn churchyard in Taynuilt today, May 25, with one of his favourite pipers, Angus MacColl, playing the Flowers of the Forest for an old soldier and much-revered Highland gentleman.
Eric M Macintyre.