Sir James Hunter Blair, 8th Baronet
Encyclopedia
James Hunter Blair, was a noted Scottish
historic preservation
ist, landowner and forester
. His family's 2000 acres (8.1 km²) estate, Blairquhan
, is located near Straiton
in South Ayrshire
, Scotland.
, Scotland, the youngest son of Sir James Hunter Blair, 7th Baronet and his wife Jean Galloway McIntyre. His elder brother Edward
succeeded to the Hunter-Blair baronetcy (created in 1786), upon the death of his father in 1985 and died on 21 October 2006.
, Hunter-Blair served during World War II
with the Scots Guards
in Germany. Following demobilization in 1948, he attended Balliol College, Oxford
, graduating with a degree in history and embarking initially on a career in merchant banking in London. After three years, he was summoned back to Scotland to help manage the estate. Having acquired a knowledge of land management while working on one of the Buccleuch
estates, he settled permanently at Blairquhan and began a long program of restoration and improvement to the castle and other buildings, and of the estate’s woodlands and grounds.
Known to his family and friends as "Jamie," he possessed an extensive knowledge of architecture, furniture, Scottish painting, music, angling, trees and garden design. He was chairman of Scotland's Historic Houses Association
, president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society
, and chairman of the Ayrshire Rivers Trust. He served for 12 years on the Historic Buildings Council
for Scotland, and was a trustee of the National Galleries of Scotland
.
came to nearby Troon
or Turnberry
, up to 80 guests would find accommodation in the mansion, Milton, and in seven holiday cottages, converted from outbuildings.
He died on December 25, 2004, at the age of 78.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
historic preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
ist, landowner and forester
Forester
250px|thumb|right|Foresters of [[Southern University of Chile|UACh]] in the [[Valdivian forest]]s of San Pablo de Tregua, ChileA forester is a person who practices forestry, the science, art, and profession of managing forests. Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber...
. His family's 2000 acres (8.1 km²) estate, Blairquhan
Blairquhan Castle
Blairquhan is a Regency-era castle near Maybole in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is the historic home of the Hunter-Blair Baronets and remains in the family's possession...
, is located near Straiton
Straiton
Straiton is a village on the River Girvan in South Ayrshire in Scotland, mainly built in the 18th century, but with some recent housing.It was the main location for the film The Match, where two rival pubs played an annual football match as a challenge...
in South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
, Scotland.
Early life
Hunter-Blair was born in 1926 in Savoy House, AyrAyr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
, Scotland, the youngest son of Sir James Hunter Blair, 7th Baronet and his wife Jean Galloway McIntyre. His elder brother Edward
Sir Edward Hunter-Blair, 8th Baronet
Sir Edward Thomas Hunter Blair, 8th Baronet, landowner and forester, died at Fleet Valley nursing home, 21 October 2006. He was age 85. He was born 15 December 1920, son of Sir James Hunter Blair, 7th Baronet, by his wife Jean Galloway McIntyre, and was educated at Eton College and Balliol College,...
succeeded to the Hunter-Blair baronetcy (created in 1786), upon the death of his father in 1985 and died on 21 October 2006.
Career
After education at EtonEton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, Hunter-Blair served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with the Scots Guards
Scots Guards
The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
in Germany. Following demobilization in 1948, he attended Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, graduating with a degree in history and embarking initially on a career in merchant banking in London. After three years, he was summoned back to Scotland to help manage the estate. Having acquired a knowledge of land management while working on one of the Buccleuch
Buccleuch
Buccleuch may refer to* the village of Buccleuch, Scottish Borders* Duke of Buccleuch, created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1663. The Chief of Clan Scott, and a claimant to the chieftaincy of the House of Douglas...
estates, he settled permanently at Blairquhan and began a long program of restoration and improvement to the castle and other buildings, and of the estate’s woodlands and grounds.
Known to his family and friends as "Jamie," he possessed an extensive knowledge of architecture, furniture, Scottish painting, music, angling, trees and garden design. He was chairman of Scotland's Historic Houses Association
Historic Houses Association
The Historic Houses Association, a not for profit organsiation, represents 1,500 privately owned historic country houses, castles and gardens throughout the UK. These are listed buildings or registered gardens, usually Grade I or II* and often outstanding....
, president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society
Royal Scottish Forestry Society
The Royal Scottish Forestry Society was founded in 1854 as the Scottish Aboricultural Society. The Royal prefix was added in 1869. The name changed to the current one in 1930.The RSFS publishes a journal entitled Scottish Forestry....
, and chairman of the Ayrshire Rivers Trust. He served for 12 years on the Historic Buildings Council
Historic Buildings Council
Three separate Historic Buildings Councils were created by the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953, one for each of England, Scotland and Wales...
for Scotland, and was a trustee of the National Galleries of Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland
The National Galleries of Scotland are the five national galleries of Scotland and two partner galleries. It is one of the country's National Collections.-List of national galleries:* The National Gallery of Scotland* The Royal Scottish Academy Building...
.
Later years
Until retirement, he was the southwest Scotland representative of Christie’s, the auctioneers. He was devoted to opera and also helped stage revues at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, including a memorable performance in 1956 — playing Julius Caesar on roller skates. In order to maintain Blairquhan’s viability, he developed the estate for corporate entertainment, weddings and film location work. Whenever the Open ChampionshipsThe Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
came to nearby Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
or Turnberry
Turnberry
Turnberry is a golf resort on the coast of the outer Firth of Clyde in southwestern Scotland. Located in South Ayrshire on the rugged coast, it comprises three links golf courses, a golf academy, a five-star hotel, designed by James Miller and completed in 1906, as well as lodge and cottage...
, up to 80 guests would find accommodation in the mansion, Milton, and in seven holiday cottages, converted from outbuildings.
He died on December 25, 2004, at the age of 78.