About Jimmie Cairncross

Jimmie Cairncross was born in Perth and educated at Perth Academy. He joined the Navy at the start of the Second World War, serving as a Naval Lieutenant in the Russian convoys. Despite the dangers and hardship of that precarious posting, he developed a love of the sea and sailing, later serving as commodore of Perth Sailing Club.

Following the war, Jimmie and his brother Alastair entered the family jewellery business, A&G Cairncross, the firm founded by their grandfather and great uncle, in 1869, and through which the brothers attained a worldwide reputation for Scottish River Pearl jewellery. Jimmie became a Fellow of the Gemmological Association and was appointed as president of the National Association of Goldsmiths in Great Britain and Ireland, a role which he was delighted to accept.

Sport was a major interest of Jimmie’s, especially rugby and golf but it was Perth to which he was devoted and in which he played an active and varied part in the community. He held many positions in his remarkable life, giving quiet, unassuming but dedicated service. He held the role of Moderator of the Society of High Constables of Perth, was President of the Rotary Club of Perth where he was awarded The Paul Harris Fellowship, member of The Guildry Incorporation of Perth, The Tailor Incorporation, Perth Probus Club, Rosemount and Murrayshall Golf Clubs and The Paddle Steamers Preservation Society. He was a life governor of the RNLI and following his death, an Atlantic 85 lifeboat was purchased bearing his name which is still in service at South Queensferry.

Perhaps to Jimmie, with a deep Christian faith, the most important role was serving as an Elder of the North Church for many years. He exemplified in his whole life the divine directions to ”love thy neighbour as thyself” and ”it is more blessed to give than to receive”. He was a man of outstanding generosity and engaged himself with the support and encouragement of cultural and charitable activities in the local community and so, following his retirement from business, he set up his charitable trust. Many local organisations have benefited from donations from his trust and Jimmie Cairncross is remembered for the enrichment he brought, and continues to bring, to so many people.

In January 2022, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, an oak tree was planted by the Trustees of The Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, on the banks of the River Tay in memory of Jimmie and to mark 30 years of charitable giving.