William Johnston

William Johnston, who has died aged 63, was an inspirational head teacher whose guiding hand ensured historic, but fire-ravaged, Aberdeen Grammar School emerged from the ashes to renewed success.

He arrived at the school the year after it had been badly damaged by a blaze in 1986 and oversaw its restoration as well as the challenge of building a positive vision for the future.

Earlier in his career, in the east end of Glasgow, his flair for teaching was already evident when he instilled an enthusiasm for science in the girls by producing a chemistry set for them to make their own lipsticks.

And in retirement he achieved a first in Gaelic which spurred him on to a PhD, examining the effectiveness of Gaelic medium education in Scotland and its impact on Gaelic identity.

The son of a postman, he was born in Kilmarnock while the family lived in Beith, Ayrshire, and was educated at Beith Academy and Spiers School, Beith.

He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in chemistry from the University of Glasgow in 1969 and worked briefly with ICI Marketing in Manchester before doing his teacher training.

He qualified in 1971 and took posts as a chemistry teacher in various schools in the Glasgow and Perth area, including at Cranhill Secondary and Perth High.

He went into teaching because he sincerely believed in the benefits that education could bring. He saw it as a great leveller and believed that it was a way to make a real difference.

With a strong commitment to fairness and equality, he always had great faith in his pupils and strived to help them to achieve as much as they could.

In his early teaching career in Glasgow he worked with some of those not expected to do well but did his best to inspire them. When some said they were never allowed “brainy books” – the expensive hardback jotters reserved for the “brainy” pupils – he tracked some down and dished them out to them.

In 1975 he moved to Glenrothes High School as assistant principal teacher before taking up a post as principal teacher at Millburn Academy, Inverness in 1978.

His rapid rise through the ranks saw him become assistant rector at Kingussie High School three years later, followed by appointment as depute rector at Culloden Academy, Inverness in 1984.

He was only 39 when he became a head teacher, taking on the rectorship of Aberdeen Grammar School in 1987.

The city’s oldest school, its most famous former pupil is Lord Byron whose statue stands in front of the beautiful turreted granite facade. In July 1986 a fire destroyed about 70% of the school, including the library and a collection of Byron’s notebooks.

Mr Johnston described how forlorn the school looked then but it was rebuilt over many years and he was extremely proud of the modern, well-equipped institution that materialised, accompanied by the very positive ethos he fostered during his time in charge.

He retired in 2004 but maintained links through his involvement with the Former Pupils’ Club and support of various sports teams, including helping to coach a youth football team through to the final of the Scottish youth cup.

However, he still had much to contribute and became a consultant to Aberdeen City Council’s education department and a project manager with NHS Grampian. He had also been a governor of Robert Gordon University between 1997 and 2006.

Having added to his qualifications with a diploma in educational technology in 1986, in retirement he achieved first class honours in an MA in Gaelic Studies from Aberdeen University last year and was in the process of completing his PhD.

A member of Aberdeen Gaelic Choir since the early 1990s, he had served the organisation in various roles, including president. He was also an accordionist and chairman of Garioch Fiddlers.

Aside from education and music, his other great passion was hillwalking.

He was a member and former chairman of Cults Hillwalking Club and also enjoyed the pursuit with many different friends and family members.

He toasted his 60th birthday in champagne on top of a hill and had completed more than 100 Munros, the last 16 during the five-day holiday on which he died while walking on Creag nan Damh in Glen Shiel.

Widowed in 2003 after 30 years of marriage to wife, Katie, a business studies teacher, he was eventually able to cope with his loss thanks to his wide and varied interests and his strong support network of friends and family.

Genuinely interested in people he was always the man who had time to stop and talk and would often phone his three daughters to share his enjoyment of the amazing weather or views he had experienced during a day’s walking.

A patient, supportive and enthusiastic father, he also supported and encouraged many others in the same way, making the difference to so many lives.

His daughter Eilidh said: “Dad once told us that on the days we were born he went outside the hospital and was amazed that everyday life was still going on and that everything still looked the same. Since he died it has been something like that for us.”

He is survived by his children Eilidh, Shona and Lorna and granddaughter Freya.