During the South African Boer War, George Bullough decided to do what he could to render assistance. He therefore set sail in his yacht Rhouma from Greenock down to Cape Town to offer help. Articles from the Times give details of their journey. En route they called at Benguela and picked up a Captain Quicke, who had been part of an expedition to cross Africa. He was the only one to reach the west coast and was in a very poor state. He was delighted to be rescued by the British on board the Rhouma. 

 

Once at Cape Town a wooden structure was built on the large after deck and a ward was created capable of taking 20 non commissioned officers and men. They worked in conjunction with the Portland Hospital, taking convalescent men and giving a high standard of care. Officers were accommodated in cabins, and in all 216 men and 45 officers were cared for during the time the Rhouma spent in Cape Town. There were no deaths among the patients and 60% of the men were able to return to duty, the remainder being invalided home. 

 

Save for five weeks when he went to the front, George Bullough remained in charge throughout and also paid for all the care, food, excursions etc. The Rhouma had left Scotland in January 1900 and returned there in November of the same year. The Glasgow Herald gives details of the time in South Africa and the journey home. George Bullough also enabled several men to return to convalesce in his newly built Kinloch Castle and they became the first visitors. 

 

The Times of November 9th 1901 reports that George Bullough was to receive a knighthood in the Birthday Honours, this in recognition of his service to his country during the Boer War.   There are many books in the library in the castle about various aspects of the war some annotated in Monica’s handwriting showing her knowledge of the terrain of South Africa and common interest in the war.