Chief who ‘lived and breathed Clan Gunn’ dies aged 91
A memorial service is being planned in the new year for Iain Gunn of Gunn MBE, Chief of Clan Gunn, following his death at the age of 91.
A statement from his family to clan members said Iain “lived and breathed Clan Gunn”, having been instrumental in setting up the modern version of the Clan Gunn Society in 1960.
The funeral of the “much-loved husband, father and grandfather” will be private at his own request.
A statement to clan members from his son, John Gunn of Gunn, said: “It is with great sadness that I am writing to advise you that my father and Chief of Clan Gunn, Iain Gunn of Gunn, died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening [October 9].
“As many of you will know, he was instrumental in setting up the modern version of the Clan Gunn Society over 60 years ago and, ever since, he lived and breathed Clan Gunn. We plan to hold a memorial service for him, probably in Edinburgh, sometime in the new year to which all that wish to attend are cordially invited.
“He was small in stature but has left some huge boots to fill, which I will do my very best to do.”
Iain was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to the arts, heritage and the economy in Caithness.
Viscount Thurso, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, said: “Iain gave a huge amount back to his native county – not only with the founding of the Clan Gunn Society and museum, but also as a champion of the arts, heritage and tourism.
“He served as a Deputy Lieutenant with distinction, and will be remembered for his tremendous work as one of the creators of North Lands Glass. He richly deserved his MBE and his legacy will live on.”
Iain was born in Thurso in 1933. He was educated at George Watson’s College and the University of Edinburgh, where he read law and economics, and became a solicitor.
“When I was young I used to come up to Gerston, my uncle’s farm in Halkirk, and help on the farm with my cousins,” Iain recalled in an interview for the Wick Voices oral history project in 2019.
He spent his career with the Shipping Federation in London.
Iain lived with his wife Aline (Bunty), a former TV presenter, at Swiney House, Lybster.
In 2015 the Lord Lyon King of Arms for Scotland issued an interlocutor recognising Iain Alexander Gunn of Banniskirk as Chief of Clan Gunn. From then he was designated as Iain Alexander Gunn of Gunn, Chief of Clan Gunn, having served as Commander of Clan Gunn since 1972.
The Clan Gunn Heritage Centre, located in the old parish church at Latheron, was opened in 1985.
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In his 2019 interview, Iain described the heritage centre as “very much the focal point of the clan” and told how kinship organisations and gatherings had been established at home and abroad, notably in the USA.
“People come from all over the world especially to come to the clan centre,” he said. “The further away you are from Caithness, the more active you become!
“The roots are very important to them all. I think in Scotland it’s not just being a Scot but being of a particular family. It makes people feel that they have got a very close family interest and they want to come to see where their ancestors came from.
“We’ve made many friends worldwide through the clan.”
