It is with deep regret and great sadness that we learned of the passing of Bobby Middleton on Tuesday 5th August at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarock.
Bobby was born and brought up on Bute, he played shinty with great success for many years with Bute Shinty Club, excelling at all times with his strength and skill in our sport. When Bute was reorganised in the late 1960`s Bobby came into his own as he mentored and shaped a very young team into a side winning the Sutherland Cup in 1972 and losing finalists the following year, both finals being against a very strong Aberdeen University team, many of us owe a great debt to him for our shinty journeys. He also entertained us on many occasions with his renditions of traditional Scottish songs and tunes on the mouth organ.
Bobby was very much a man of the land, a shepherd for most of his working life on Bute and in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire and he also enjoyed his other love of attending and competing at a high level at many sheepdog trials throughout Scotland.
Bobby was a frequent visitor to our club after leaving the Island notably having his 80th birthday celebration in our clubhouse and for the 50th reunion of the Sutherland Cup winning team and it was always a pleasure to meet with him and listen to his tales of years gone by.
Bobby was a loving husband to his late wife Evelyn and our deepest sympathy is extended to his son Roddy, his daughter Lorna and their families.
He will be sadly missed by all at Bute Shinty Club, the wider community on the Isle of Bute and to all who knew him.
Bobbys funeral will be held at Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium in Largs on the 26th of August at 12noon
