Well-known Scottish travel agent John Semple, founder of Semple Travel, has died after a career spanning 50 years in the trade.
He died on Saturday, August 13, at the age of 81 following a long illness. He officially retired in 1995 but took an active interest in the business until he died.
Semple opened Semple Travel in Dumbarton in 1983 and later opened a second branch in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow. The Dunbarton shop has since been closed but Semple’s four children now own and run the existing business in Glasgow.
His son, also called John, said his father would be sadly missed. He said: “His proudest moment was opening his first shop in 1983. He will also be remembered for organising travel for thousands of fans going to Lisbon when Celtic played in the European Cup Final in 1967 when he worked as a travel agent for JH Lewis. That stuck with him for years.”
Semple’s career in the travel industry started at British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), which later became British Airways, before he joined former Glasgow-based agency chain JH Lewis, where he worked his way up from consultant to director.
His funeral is due to take place on Thursday, August 18. Final arrangements have yet to be made but for further information contact his son on jsemple@sempletravel.co.uk.