The Muir of Ord-based entertainer, universally known as The Bogan, though born John Urquhart, died following a heart attack on Tuesday. The father-of-three, who is survived by his wife Betty and children Ross, Joan and Avril, was 75 and had enjoyed a stage career spanning half a century.

Renowned as a stand-up comedian, he was named Citizen of the Year at last year’s Ross and Cromarty Community Awards ceremony — deemed by many a fitting tribute for his role in making people laugh with clever comedy routines and material that could be enjoyed by people of all ages.

His funeral will take place today (Friday) at the East Church in Muir of Ord. His family are inviting donations to the charity, Chest, Heart and Stroke.

As his popularity grew, he went on to appear at shows and other functions across the country, and his busy diary included three nights a week at the Strathpeffer Pavilion. Over an 18 year period in the 1960s and 70s, he would also spend three other nights of the week peforming at venues elsewhere.

But his act was not a full time job – he also worked as a Hydro Board cable jointer based in Dingwall and ran his own cycle shop in Muir of Ord.

At the time of the civic award honour, he said, “I am absolutely delighted! It’s something I did not expect. I knew I was in for something, but not this one. It took a long time coming, but I got there in the end!”

The grandfather-of-three, who has lived in Muir of Ord all his life, started his comedy acts as far back as the 1940s.

He explained, “I just did it because I enjoyed it and was able to do it. It’s not everybody who can do it, and it won’t be around for much longer because nobody is doing it now. People are doing comedy, but not doing what I did which was stand-up.”

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