John Mayhew: our memories

John Mayhew was a very well known figure at LINK, having served as Chair of the LINK Board from 2006 to 2009. He was Head of Policy at National Trust for Scotland for two decades, until he became Director of APRS, a role he held until he retired in 2022. John was key to LINK members and the network, becoming President of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks in 2023 and President at Scottish Countryside Rangers Association in 2017. At LINK, he didn’t just serve as an unflappable Chair, see one test of his ability to remind calm under pressure, he also cheered us all up when we had to hold our festive reception on line in the Covid years.  

 

 

John was particularly close to the APRS and LINK teams when we all shared an office space first at Gladstone Land and then in Dolphin House where John was always a cheery presence, full of optimism and laughter,  and master of the biscuit tin, an integral part of office and meeting life.  

He is remembered by all of us who were lucky enough to work closely with him, on LINK board, in the Edinburgh office and in the LINK Groups he was part of, especially Planning and Land Use and Land Reform Groups. He was generous, supportive and great fun. He will be very much missed.  

Here are some memories from those who worked with him and remember him with love and affection.  

 

I worked with John, in various capacities, over 2-3 decades. Both at NTS and APRS, he was always someone who valued working with other organisations, either bilaterally or via LINK. At RSPB Scotland and subsequently with LINK, I worked with him on planning cases (quarries, funiculars, renewables), planning policy, National Parks, etc. His passion for the Scottish environment and its protection, as well as the opportunities for its enjoyment, always shone through – but he was also fun to work with.  

His support for LINK and co-operative working among eNGOs, while also respecting each organisation’s uniqueness and individual strengths, was a key part of his approach and one reason for his successes and widespread respect. For many years, we were fellow trustees of LINK and each took a turn as Chair of the Board. In my years as Chair, he was a tremendous support and critical friend; I hope I managed to be likewise during his turn. 

In later years, he was one of the driving forces behind the “Have you got the bottle” campaign – which (nearly) resulted in the introduction of a proper deposit return scheme in Scotland. When it eventually does arrive, I hope his vision in pressing for this self-evidently good idea will be recognised. 

Lloyd Austin, LINK Chair 2003 – 2006 and LINK Honorary Fellow

 

A favourite memory of mine is from 2007, when we held the LINK AGM at the Falkland Big Tent festival, followed by a ceilidh celebrating our 20th birthday, a midsummer’s event cut short by a deluge before midnight. To my horror (as organiser) an extremely loud drumming workshop began in the tent next door as the AGM started in the afternoon. Initially startled by the thunderous roar, John took it in his stride, shoehorning the AGM business at rapid pace into the intervals between drumming bouts. He saw the funny side of it of course, though he confessed it had been an unusual challenge. Total grace under pressure!  

Alice Walsh, LINK’s Development Officer, 1991 – 2021 

 

Difficult to single one thing out about John but I simply remember how warm and good natured he was, with a  laugh and smile that was contagious. He was always such a helpful sounding board for me on work issues, and such a knowledgeable person to ask about any hillwalking route in Scotland. 

It was clear how much he adored his family and it was great to hear his tales after being away with them on holiday, skiing or wherever else. 

I used to smile at him sitting working away at his desk at Hunter Square, still wearing his cycling gear after commuting in by bike…with his smart trousers hanging up on the coat hanger behind him. Ready to go to an impromptu meeting with an MSP at Holyrood or give an interview if needed. 

We also shared a great appreciation of having cake or nice biscuits in the office too! 

It genuinely was a joy to have known John. 

Lisa Webb, LINK’s Advocacy Office Administrator 2015 – 2021 

 

During the last year of my PhD, (i think, it was a long time ago anyway) I asked Simon Pepper for some advice on career choices, what I should do next and so forth.  As well as giving me his own thoughts he put me in touch with John.  I remember a lovely, positive and encouraging phone call with John, who had no idea who I was.  Back then he was with NTS and to my mind it sounded like he had the most incredible job as he spoke so positively about it and what it enabled him to do.  It wasn’t a long phone call but at a time when I was looking for guidance and support he happily gave up his time, chatted to me and I have always been grateful for that – indeed I always try and do the same now if a student gets in touch.  

Sam Gardner, LINK trustee 2014 – 2022 and LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

John’s early death is a significant loss to the Scottish environment movement. He was forever a champion of landscapes both natural and cultural in his work for the NTS, for APRS and in advocating for more national parks in Scotland. He came from that rich tradition begun in the early post WWII period which saw landscape beauty and access to and enjoyment of it as a major force for good in society and one which had to be protected and stewarded. And what a champion he was. 

His work at NTS, where we had many dealings when I had various governance roles, demonstrated his true character as thoughtful, diligent, committed, solid, reliable, straightforward and uncomplicated. He played effectively the role of guardian of the Trust’s key principles, born out of the Unna Rules enunciated by Percy Unna, a 1930s benefactor of land. He ensured that their stewardship was recognised and that the Conservation Principles and the practice emanating from them were uppermost in mind in decision making about properties and wider landscapes, and that they were carefully reassessed for their continuing relevance. It was nothing less than scandalous when he was forced out of the Trust, which lost not only a champion but also an important corporate memory. 

He played a leading role in helping to revive APRS as a crucial voice for the rural environment. Most will remember him as a driving force behind the ongoing campaign for more national parks in Scotland. Here he demonstrated his customary committed and durable approach despite setbacks from governments, and opposition from those, including myself, who thought the case was not made. This opposition he faced with gentle robustness and dignity that did the case he espoused great merit. Whether you agreed with him or not, we, and that certainly included me, greatly admired his tenacity and determination and his ability to argue the case on ethical, aesthetic, and cultural grounds. 

We will miss him as a colleague and friend, and we will remember him for his resoluteness, reliability, common sense and approachableness. 

Roger Crofts, LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

I remember John as Chair of Scottish Environment LINK when I was a Trustee. He was extremely well informed, no-nonsense and incredibly committed to making Scotland a better place for people and wildlife. He was great fun to spend time with and was a fantastic representative  and advocate for SEL. John was a true force of nature and his untimely passing is a great loss to us all. 

Andrew Fairbarin, LINK Trustee 2003 – 2011 and LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

“From my time as LINK chair (and before), I remember John as one of the most affable, thoughtful and understanding of all the NGO representatives who helped to guide and direct the work of LINK. He was dedicated in his commitment to ensuring a sound future for rural Scotland, but recognised that this would be achieved best by working in partnership with all the other countryside and environmental bodies represented on LINK. He was always considerate to the LINK staff, and supportive to my role as chair, and I remember several occasions when he found a sensible route to compromise when other member bodies were arguing over the best approach to potentially divisive issues. And throughout, I was please to regard him as a friend.” 

Michael Scott, LINK Chair, 1995 – 1999 and LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

My memory of John is always as a very positive, encouraging and welcoming presence at LINK events, whether Congress, group meetings or strategic planning days.  I always remember him as a generous host at LINK landscape and planning group meetings in Gladstone’s Land or Hunter Square. There were always copious pots of his excellent coffee and the APRS biscuit tin. Much appreciated when you’d travelled a distance to get there. 

Helen Todd, Chair of LINK 2014 – 2017 and LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

During his long career with Scotland’s environmental voluntary organisations John was always a welcome, authoritative contributor to any meeting. His cheery greeting for everyone, wise words and clear thinking were appreciated by all. No meeting concluded without John having made a positive contribution. Helping to secure a national park system for Scotland was a highlight while his subsequent production of “Unfinished Business” is the guiding star for national parks of the future. And when politicians finally get around to establishing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers we will all remember that it was John who laid the foundations with his leadership of the “Have You Got The Bottle” campaign. 

Dave Morris, CEO at Ramblers Scotland to 2014 and LINK Honorary Fellow 

 

One of my favourite things about John was how he greeted everyone. His desk was the first you saw when you walked into the LINK/APRS office, and he always looked up with a smile. He was truly one of the jolliest and kindest people I’ve known, and he always lit up over his favourite office biscuits – stem ginger cookies that Nina used to bring. 

Our office in Dolphin House on the Royal Mile was notorious for buskers (bagpipes and questionable singers). One afternoon, it was just John and me when something unusual happened – an incredible jazz musician played outside. We deliberately kept the window open and spent the whole afternoon working with the music in the background, taking breaks to stand at the window and chat (and not get as much work done as we probably should have). 

Juliet Caldwell, LINK Advocacy Officer,  2020 – present. 

 

John clearly loved life, family and the outdoors, always brimming with ideas. He was much loved and admired, and I had the great pleasure and privilege of knowing and working with John for over two decades from his time at LINK, at NTS, and then of course with APRS and all the historic, and fun and pioneering, campaigns on DRS. John was a one of a kind, always cheery, convivial and full of sharp and friendly good humour. We were all the richer for knowing John and will miss him greatly, as will all who were lucky enough to know him.   

Calum Duncan, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Marine Conservation Society, LINK Marine Group Convenor to 2025 

 

I first met John when our children attended the same RSPB group but really got to know him during the Dolphin House era. John was a key member of the truly supportive and fun colleagues in the shared APRS – LINK office in Dolphin House.  Happy memories of coffee breaks with John’s homemade biscuits, John’s very tidy desk, his helpfulness, openness and modesty.  

Phoebe Cochrane, LINK Sustainable Economics Officer, 2014 – 2024 

 

John was Chair of LINK’s board when I became vice chair in 2006: he was so supportive to me as his vice chair and his calm and friendly approach helped build my confidence when I eventually took over as chair. Our paths crossed many times, both at LINK meetings and in the Edinburgh office where his jolly welcomes, his insistence on real coffee and facilitating the office composting made it feel like a home from home.  

Deborah Long, LINK Chair 2006 – 2014, LINK CEO 2019 – present