THE GENTLEMAN USHER

George Dempster was a giant of a man who became one of the best-known and most deservedly popular Scotsman of his day.He served for thirty years as an MP in Westminster and was closely involved with the expansion of British influence and trade across the world particularly in India and North America. This was the age of Empire building and great rivalry between competing powers, particularly France, which led to protracted warfare.A trained lawyer, Dempster was at the heart of political and business life and his circle of friends was large and powerful. Yet power did not corrupt him and he was respected by allies and opponents, being known as 'Honest George'. Master of the famous Skibo Estate in Sutherland, Dempster's energy was legendary and he used his talents as an entrepreneur and developer, bringing prosperity and jobs to disadvantaged regions.Dempster was more than an observer of history; he made it.