News Article
Peter Cullen, Glenmorangie
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 at 11:08AM
The shinty community has lost another great friend and supporter from the world of commerce and its immediate sporting fraternity with the passing, after a long illness of Peter Cullen, formerly and forever of Glenmorangie.
Peter Cullen came to shinty in the 1970s and transformed the game’s profile, largely through his company’s unstinting support of the game’s premier trophy the Camanachd Cup and the Aviemore Indoor six a side tournament. Not remotely from a shinty playing community by birth or by profession, he made a singular contribution to the development of the sport and its national identity, ensuring that the whisky giant’s name will forever be associated with the finest traditions of the ancient and noble game of the Gael.
Widely respected in his professional life as one of the brightest Chartered Accountants of his generation, he worked in the drinks industry with distinction for many years and was an Executive Director of Glenmorangie for 20 years.
Peter Cullen’s efforts certainly put shinty on the national map in media and sporting terms. He was well known throughout the shinty playing community as a result, but it is in Newtonmore, its Golf club, the Balavil Hotel and through his links with his late great friends Jack and Hettie Richmond that he will be most fondly remembered, although the Kyles of Bute always had a special place and attraction in his social calendar.
Peter was a great wit, raconteur and entertainer and his presence at shinty functions with his wife Sydena ensured great fun, sport and conviviality. There was no bigger life and soul at a shinty top table and on the touchline for the best part of four decades.
He bore his illness with great fortitude. Father of Grant and Andrew and papa to Hugh, Graeme and Luke, Peter died peacefully at Astley Ainsley Hospital, on December 7, 2011. A small private funeral was held at Warriston Crematorium, on December 12.
The sympathy of all connected with shinty is extended to the Cullen family. He will be greatly missed.
The Camanachd Association recognised his contribution to shinty by making him a Patron of the Association.
HD
