John Stirling

Who was John Stirling?

Sir John Stirling, KT, MBE, TD was a Scottish soldier and politician.

The eldest son of William Stirling of Fairburn, he was educated at Harrow School and at Magdalen College, Oxford. He served with the Lovat Scouts from 1914–1935, and was awarded the MBE in 1919.

He was a Member of Ross and Cromarty County Council from 1919–1970, serving as Convener from 1935–1961. He was a Forestry Commissioner from 1948–1962, and Chairman of the Commission's Scottish National Committee from 1950–1959.

He was appointed a Knight of the Thistle in 1956 and served as Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty from 1964–1968.

He married Marjorie Kythe Mackenzie, daughter of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th Baronet, by whom he had three daughters and two sons, his eldest son John Michael predeceasing him. His second son, Sir Roderick Stirling, would himself later serve as Lord Lieutenant.