John's Obituaries

COMRIE'S LOSS: PASSING OF DR JOHN MCDIARMID

By the passing of Dr John McDiarmid, Comrie and district has lost one of its most noted and distinguished natives. Dr McDiarmid passed away in Edinburgh, but his remains have been interred at Comrie.

Deceased was born on the farm of Claggan, on Loch Tayside, 78 years ago. In 1859 his father removed to the well-known grazing farm of Auchnafree, and at the age of fifteen deceased left home to attend Edinburgh University, where he took his medical degree. He practised as a doctor for some years in the north of England, but owing to health reasons he had to relinquish his practice, and enter upon sheep farming at home.

In 1887 the McDiarmid family left Auchnafree, and removed to the Killin district, and were tenants of the farm of Morenish for twenty years. Later Dr McDiarmid and his brother successfully farmed Dunrachan on the Drummond Castle estate, and nine years ago they retired from farming and went to live at Oakleigh, Comrie.

The doctor was a well-known figure at sheep sales and shows in Perthshire, and perhaps no-one knoew the history of the breed of Blackface sheep better than deceased. Many interesting articles were penned by him, and from time to time many of these appeared in the "Perthshire Advertiser" and "Farming News".

While at Morenish Dr McDiarmid took a keen interest in the affairs of Breadalbane Agricultural Society. He was one of the managers of that body, and also a very successful exhibitor at the annual show.

In Scottish history the doctor took a very great interest, and he was recognised as one of the best scholars of Scottish history in the country. In public affairs deceased took more than a passing interest. He was an ardent Liberal, and at the time of his death, Dr McDiarmid was President of the Comrie Liberal Association. He was a prominent member of Comrie U F Church, of which he was an elder.

THE LATE DR JOHN McDIARMID, INTEREST IN SHEEP FARMING

The death of Dr John McDiarmid in Edinburgh removes from the Comrie district of Perthshire a popular personality and a well known expert in sheep farming. Dr McDiarmid, who was in his 79th year, was born on the farm of Claggan on Loch Tayside. In 1859 his father removed to the well known grazing farm of Auchnafree, and at the age of fifteen deceased left home to attend Edinburgh University, where he took his medical degree. He practised as a doctor for some years in the north of England, but owing to health reasons he had to relinquish his practice and enter upon sheep farming at home.

In 1887, the McDiarmid family left Auchnafree, and removed to the Killin district, where they were tenants of the farm of Morenish for twenty years. Later, Dr McDiarmid and his brother successfully farmed Dunrachan on the Drummond Castle estate, and nine years ago they retired from farming and went to live at Oakleigh, Comrie. Dr McDiarmid was a familiar figure at Perthshire sheep sales and shows, where he was recognised as an authority on the Blackface sheep breed in particular. He contributed many articles on this subject. While at Morenish, Dr McDiarmid took a great interest in the affairs of Breadalbane Agricultural Society. He was one of the managers of that body, and also a successful exhibitor at the annual show. He was also deeply interested in shepherds and shepherding.

Dr McDiarmid was a keen student of Scottish history, and in politics identified himself with the Liberal Party, being President of the Comrie Liberal Association. He was an Elder in Comrie United Free Church. He is survived by a brother and a married sister, resident in Edinburgh.