Tributes follow tragic death of rugby-daft artist and owner of Ullapool gallery
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TRIBUTE has been paid to the artist owner of an Ullapool art gallery following his tragic death while supporting Scotland at the Rugby World Cup in France.
Avid rugby fan Stuart Herd (52) ran a string of Harbour Gallery businesses in west Scotland including one in Ullapool.
Mr Herd was said to be “fine” as he said goodnight to other campers just hours before his body was found onMonday (October 2) in his caravan at Camping Navarre, at Langres, 180 miles south-east of Paris.
It is understood that carbon monoxide poisoning is being investigated as a possible cause of his death.
Site manager Xavier Maillot said: “It was surprising because he was fine on Sunday evening and said good night to the neighbour campers before going to sleep.”
Norman Brockie, who has a small gallery at his home in Argyle Street, Ullapool, along the road from Mr Herd’s gallery, said: “He came in to introduce himself while visiting his place. He had a big interest in the arts in general and obviously Ullapool is a very active creative hub and he was locked into that.
“The Harbour Gallery is a very popular shop especially with tourists, and he was an asset to town and community.”
A company statement said: “Due to tragic and unforeseen circumstances the Harbour Gallery website and The Harbour Galleries Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray will be stopping orders from this point onwards and until further notice.”
As well as his own works, including original paintings and prints, the galleries feature other local artists, ceramics and memorabilia.
A friend Albert White paid tribute on Facebook noting the death “with deep sadness” describing Mr Herd as “a large part of the rugby family.
“As an artist his inspirational paintings of Scotland scenery are visually amazing. His paintings of rugby action captured moments in time we all will remember forever in his art.”
