John M. Boyd CBE, QPM
Oban Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll
The shinty community in Oban, Glasgow and much further afield, is saddened to hear of the passing of John M Boyd who played shinty with distinction for Oban Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll in the fifties and sixties and went on to have an outstanding career in the police force in Scotland.
John was born and bred in Oban and after his school days in Rockfield Primary and Oban High School, he took up an apprenticeship with a local joinery firm. He excelled at sports, shinty in particular, and at the age of 17 was a member of the Oban Camanachd team in the 1951 Camanachd Cup Final against Newtonmore. He soon established himself as a Camanachd stalwart throughout the fifties winning Macaulay Cup medals in 1952 and 1954 before captaining the side to success in that competition in 1957. He played in his second Camanachd Cup Final in 1958 again losing to Newtonmore.
John continued his shinty career with Oban Camanachd when he joined Paisley Burgh Police in 1956 before moving to play for Glasgow Mid Argyll in 1958. He then added Glasgow Celtic Society winners medals in 1959 and 1961 to his impressive collection. He is remembered by those who saw him play as a fast skilful forward with “a great eye for goals”.
But it was in his police career that John really excelled, moving steadily through the ranks until in 1984 he was appointed Chief Constable of the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary. In 1993 he attained the top rank of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland. His outstanding contribution to policing in Scotland was recognised by the award of Queens Police Medal (QPM) and ultimately the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour.
John always retained a strong involvement in shinty and was chair of the Glasgow Shinty Development Committee in the nineties. He was a Director of the Celtic Society for many years before being appointed Chieftain in 2016 and was also a patron of the Camanachd Association. He will be remembered by those who knew him as being extremely modest, very approachable, hugely knowledgeable and genuinely interested in the welfare of others. In the words of John MacKenzie, Chieftain of the Association, “John was a special gentleman who met you with a smile and a willingness to talk about anything, especially shinty”.
John is survived by his wife Sheila and sons Peter and Alastair, and the thoughts of all their friends in shinty are with them and the extended family.
Following private cremation, a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate his life will be held at Houston & Killellan Kirk, Houston PA6 7AS at 11.30am on Saturday 27th April 2024 to which all family and friends are respectfully invited.
