EMINENT SHERWOODIANS

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George MacFarlaine


Recipient of the Old Sherwoodians' Millennium Award for Outstanding Achievement conferred during the Reunion on 14.10.2000.


Entrepreneur & Master Gunsmith

George MacFarlaineSince leaving Sherwood and India, George MacFarlaine achieved considerable personal and business success, strictly by his own individual efforts and without the assistance of supporting staff or corporate backing. He was a modest man and few knew of his remarkable achievements in a specialist field.

George qualified at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, with a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. He then worked for engineering companies in India and in a local firm in Kendal, Cumbria, where he became Contracts Manager. However, his absolute passion was sporting guns and all related shooting activities. Along side his 'day job', guns were his real interest and hobby - and this is where George eventually excelled, beyond even his own expectations.

Over the years George collected, repaired and treasured unusual and very special sporting guns of high value. This collection included vintage three and four barreled guns and from this hobby a flourishing business grew - when George retired.

By this time George had set up a business, 'MacFarlaine Sports'. It was a one-man band and provided a highly individual service - designing and manufacturing 'made to measure' guns for bankers and business men from all over the world, particularly the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Gradually the business was extended to include: servicing and modifying guns, organizing shooting tours, providing and manufacturing spares and ammunition - in fact, he became so well known in the shooting fraternity the world over, he finished up being quite unique in this highly specialized field.

George was a designer of some repute. He designed an innovative and versatile mechanism for a three-barreled gun with the third barrel being a rifle barrel. This gained him much notoriety and press coverage.

Business for MacFarlaine Sports blossomed very rapidly, by recommendation alone. He became very well known as an expert in the field. He was highly respected for his specialized knowledge in the top echelons in shooting circles. He formed close ties with Christies of London, who auctioned numerous guns for him. They fetched anything up to £80,000 each.

George built up his business from scratch. It was his personality, honesty and integrity that made the business grow. He often had to 'burn the mid-night oil' to meet a commitment. He never let a customer down.

Latterly, George had, at any one time, 250 guns in his loft armoury at his home - some belonged to his clients and were held for servicing, but most were owned by George. He was undoubtedly a wealthy man and highly successful.

Pressure of work finally took its toll. George could not say 'no' to the many and growing requests for advice and service. Some think that it was this self-imposed sustained pressure, due to his determination to please, that eventually led to his sudden fatal heart attack.


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