Usher family to fight for fortune

Claims city law firm owes estate millions

by JOHN BALD

THE family which gifted the Usher Hall was today at the centre of a bizzare legal claim over the alleged squandering of its fortune.

Stuart Usher - whose whisky dynasty family gifted the Usher Hall in 1896 - claims the family estate is owed millions by top Edinburgh legal firm, Brodies.

The 57-year-old, from Jedburgh, claims he already has two lawyers from outwith Edinburgh "looking into" a multi-million pound claim.

ASSETS

But the allegations were totally refuted by the law firm.

Stuart claims that substantial assets which belonged to the estate - which Brodies administered - have either gone to outsiders or been dramatically reduced.

Brodies looked after the estate from 1962 to 1994 as both Usher "landlords", Sir Peter Usher and Sir Robert Usher, suffered from Down's Syndrome.

For the last 14 months, a Law Society of Scotland inquiry has been going on after complaints from Mr Usher agains Brodies.

Today Bill Drummond, managing partner with Brodies, said: "We have certainly not received any claim from Mr Usher, although we are aware that there have been approaches to the Law Society.

"We don't feel we are at fault, however we would defend any action of that sort."

During the first half of the 20th century, the fortunes of the family were completely different. Sir Robert Usher, earned the title of Whisky King with a warehouse at St Leonard's in Edinburgh able to accommodate 25 million bottles.

When he died in 1933, Sir Robert left £10,000 to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and farmers and estates in the Borders covering 6000 acres.

Last week, Stuart's late brother Sir John Usher died suddenly in South Africa.

For years, Sir John tried to restore the  family's prosperity it had once enjoyed, but did not succeed.

Now his brother Stuart, has vowed to recover the millions he claims the estate is owed.

Complicated

And he is already talking to lawyers about the possibility of court action for compensation.

Stuart, speaking from his home at Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders this morning, said: "Some lawyers in Edinburgh have already turned me down saying it's too big or complicated the case.

"I admit the case is very large but after having all these excuses, I now have two lawyers, from outwith Edinburgh, looking into my claim.

"The legal establishment has tried to bury me and my brother for years. It is terrifying.".

Stuart, who worked as a minicab driver after returning from South Africa in 1995, says his family's wealth has been greatly diminished.

For 30 years before 1994, the estate was owned by two brothers, Peter and Robert who both had Downs syndrome.

This meant lawyers had to manage the family's affairs and run the estates.

During this time, Stuart and his brother Sir John were working in South Africa where they farmed.

Stuart said: "It is going to be a long fight but I believe we have a very solid case".

No-one from the Law Society of Scotland was available for comment.