James Stobo CBE DL

Longridge Towers School Director 1982-2000, James Stobo (Jim) was Chairman of the initial group of parents and teachers who decided to start a new school at Longridge Towers in 1982. He played a major role in establishing the school; assisting with marketing, employing staff and obtaining financial support. James Stobo was an enthusiastic supporter of the school and was warmly welcomed to Christmas Concerts, Sports Days and Founder’s Days. Sadly James Stobo passed away in 2023.

Fortunate to be engaged in a business from which he derived great pleasure, he enjoyed his many roles in agriculture, both as farmer and advisor. James Stobo was involved in livestock breeding for most of his life. In 2002, he produced an Aberdeen Angus bull that went on to be stud sire in the pedigree herd at Cheeklaw, Duns. He also successfully bred Border Leicester and British Vendeen sheep flocks.

James Stobo was invited to become one of the initial four Trustees of the Castle of Mey Trust, and served from 1996–2011. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was herself a breeder of champion Aberdeen Angus bulls, and her herd continues under the stewardship of HRH King Charles. Indeed, in roles as President or Chairman, Mr Stobo was been privileged to spend time with several members of the Royal Family, particularly Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother during her long association with the Royal Smithfield Show. She was President of the Show and Vice-President of the Royal Smithfield Club. The then Prince of Wales, Prince Charles was also Vice-President, and the Duchess of Kent attended shows and club dinners.

The outbreak of war gave domestic agriculture a new significance. British agriculture received a new impetus and sense of direction, acres were ploughed which had previously been grazing.

James Stobo was raised on a farm in Western Scotland, and witnessed great change during his career. New techniques and new machinery helped in this second Agricultural Revolution. He boarded at the Edinburgh Academy in 1944 and developed a life-long interest in photography. His education was cut short when his father took ill, leaving the sixteen-year-old Jim to market the year’s grain crop. After that, his education began in earnest at home, farming.

My father had ordained that he should learn to do all things on the farm and that by so doing he should be in a position that he never asked any employee to perform a task that he could not do myself.

In 1945 he purchased three Border Leicester ewe lambs which, over the years, established the line from which all his flock was descended. The flock, on two occasions, produced record priced shearling rams sold at Kelso. As his own shepherd Mr Stobo soon found that sheep herding is easier from a dry cab.

Mr Stobo became known as Berwickshire’s first Landrover Shepherd.

In the mid 1950s, a pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd was established. Prestigious prizes were won, and Jim played an increasingly major role in the breeding of his cattle and sheep. On his thirty-fourth birthday, he spent the day as the judge of the Cattle Champions at the Royal Smithfield Show, at the time, the youngest judge to be accorded that honour.

In addition to his passion for animal husbandry, he worked on behalf of the farming industry in negotiations with Government on subsidies and payments under the Farm Price Review. He was President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland at the time of accession to the EEC.

In 1968 Mr Stobo was invited by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Scotland, to be their nominee on the Board of the Animal Diseases Research Association, a farmer’s organisation set up to research the diseases which had been ravaging herds and flocks, and other animals such as horses. He worked with the Moredun Foundation for Animal Health for thirty-two years on the board, twenty-two years as Chairman. During this time, he worked with the honorary presidents, the Dukes of Buccleuch. In 1982, a new Biochemistry Unit was opened by Her Majesty the Queen. As Patron, the Princess Royal was attending a meeting just as the BSE news broke.

In 1974, he became Chairman of the new marketing team, the Scottish Quality Beef and Lamb Association, attending a meeting which set about promoting Scottish beef and lamb, including television advertising. Mr Stobo held many important positions in leading and influential organisations, including:

• Directly elected, Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies 1988 (for Outstanding Contributions to the development of agriculture in Britain).
• President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland
• President Scottish Young Farmers
• Founder-Chairman of the Scottish Quality Beef and Lamb Association
• Member of the Secretary of State for Scotland’s Panel of Agricultural Arbiters
• One of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants for Berwickshire 1992-2009
• Chairman and Director Animal Diseases Research Association/Moredun Foundation 1978-2000
• Chairman and President Royal Smithfield Club
• Chairman of three Royal Smithfield Shows

Another fascinating and exciting phase of my life began in 1983…

In 1983, Mr Stobo and several other parents agreed that there was a need for Independent education in the area, following the notification that the St Mary’s Convent at Longridge Towers was to close. They embarked on a steep learning curve about education and he was invited to Chair the Steering Group and subsequently to be the Chairman of Governors of the new Longridge Towers School.

Little wonder then, that this experienced, energetic man was so important to the emerging new independent school at Longridge Towers. His influence and steady wisdom have supported the school ever since those early years, and he continues to be held in very high esteem by us all at Longridge Towers School.

He is sadly missed.