By Gary Cooper

STAFF AT Glamis Castle were plunged into mourning yesterday after learning that the man who masterminded the castle’s successful proms concerts lost his battle with cancer.

John Reid (63), who brought classical tunes to the grounds of the castle, died at his home—which was his wish—early yesterday morning.

News of his death was broken by the castle’s general manager David Adams, who had built up a close friendship with the accomplished musician.

“The last time I spoke to John was on Monday, when he telephoned me basically to say goodbye—it was really sad,” said an emotional Mr Adams.

Although Mr Reid and all those around him knew he was losing the fight against stomach cancer, they were stunned by the suddenness of his death.

Mr Adams continued, “John hadn’t been well at the last prom, and shortly after he went to hospital where he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

“He started his treatment and when I saw him in December he had lost his hair.

“But he went off to France for special treatment around March and came bouncing back, saying ‘see you at the prom.’

“I spoke to Sandy, his wife, last week, and was told the treatment was not working and to expect the worst in the next few weeks.

“I had hoped and wished to be able to get John up to the prom to watch it. Sadly that wasn’t to be.”

Mr Adams had known Mr Reid ever since he stepped into the role of running Glamis Castle in 2003 —they developed a bond through their common interest in music.

He said, “We struck a chord straight away.

“I am very interested in classical music and I have yet to find anyone to bore as much as I could bore him about (it)—we would jaw for hours on end about classical music.”

The programme for August’s proms concert, which features violinist Nicola Benedetti, soprano Fiona Kennedy and tenor Scott Davies, with the National Symphony Orchestra of Scotland, had been agreed between Mr Adams and Mr Reid.

A gold medal violinist, Mr Reid trained at the Royal College of Music in London and was the orchestra leader at Glamis.

He knew he would not be at his usual place on stage this summer, but insisted the show had to go on.

Mr Adams said, “On Monday we discussed this, and he said ... he would be very much there in spirit.

“We agreed there would be no more fitting legacy to his memory than the Glamis prom concert going ahead.

“My promise to John was that the concerts will go on, and continue to go from strength to strength.

“Quite how we will pay tribute to him I am not sure, and I will have to agree that with his wife.”

Mr Reid also organised a Haydn festival at his home town of Newport in Shropshire, which he was forced to shelve because of his illness.

In addition to being well-known in the music world, Mr Reid was a familiar face to people across Tayside and beyond as he promoted the Glamis musical extravaganza.

“John delivered the concert leaflets and posters personally to shops, offices, businesses—you name it—so he became well-known in the area,” said Mr Adams.

Wolverhampton-born Mr Reid is survived by his wife, sons David and Nicholas and daughters Charlotte and Rosemarie.

They will ensure his name lives on at the proms by continuing the family’s heavy involvement in staging the showcase.