On Wednesday 11th August 2021, a true stalwart of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, James (Jim) Panton Sutherland died suddenly but peacefully at home, Phopachy, Bunchrew by Inverness.
Jim was a loving husband to Agnes, herself now in poor health, a much loved father to Alasdair and the late Fiona, dear father in law to Sarah, and devoted papa to Sorcha, Neilleidh, Meig and Angus.
Jim was convenor of the Inverness SRGC group for many years, nay, decades, and he is regarded as a mentor by many in that area, including Sandy Leven, who joined the Club and the Inverness Group in 1969 and who has previously expressed that without meeting Jim and Agnes, his life would have been much emptier.
A former horticultural advisor for the College of Agriculture before founding Ardfearn Nursery at Bunchrew with son Alasdair in 1987, JIm had a passion for alpine and rock plants and his knowledge and enthusiasm spread wider than the local group. He encouraged the local group show, which latterly has been a full SRGC show, and one which has made a great addition to the SRGC Show circuit. With a life-long interest in plants ( and piping!) Jim travelled the world collecting seeds from his travels to China, Nepal, Chile, Siberia, Europe and New Zealand. His talks - whether on plants or plant photography - were always well-received.
The list of not only alpine plant lovers but also of many "great and good" names from the world of horticulture travelled to the beautiful nursery by the banks of the Beauly Firth to see Jim and learn!
Jim and Agnes were almost always in attendance with a sales display at SRGC shows - and others too, of course. A large and varied collection of plants, from the easy to the most challenging, would be assembled at each venue, and it was never long till the experienced growers and general public alike descended on the feast of plants before them. The advice and cheeky, friendly chat from Jim and Agnes made them very popular. Jim could be grumpy at times, but Agnes was always sweet and very kindly! In 2012 the pair attended their last Aberdeen SRGC Show and, as usual, sold busily all day and went home with very few leftover plants. From 2013 Alasdair and Sarah took over the show displays and have continued the great Ardfearn tradition of support for the SRGC.
It is a comfort indeed that Ardfearn Nursery will continue in good hands - but Jim will still be sorely missed and Phopachy will be the quieter without him.
Jim and Agnes at their stall in Aberdeen 2011 - photo Maggi Young
Jim and Alasdair Sutherland at home - photo by Alan Gardner, 2016
Jim with Sandy Leven at the Highland (Inverness) SRGC Show 2017
Agnes with Alasdair, at the Highland (Inverness) SRGC Show 2017 - photo Sandy Leven
Alasdair and Sarah at the SRGC Early Bulb Day, Dunblane, 2013
