Tributes to Barrhead Travel founder Bill Munro after death at 80

Bill Munro established Barrhead Travel in 1975

Tributes have been paid to Barrhead Travel founder Bill Munro after his death at the age of 80.

The entrepreneur died on Saturday at his home in Lanarkshire, having been ill since the summer.

Mr Munro built his company in East Renfrewshire in 1975, after finding a gap in the market for an agency that opened in the evenings and at weekends.

The firm expanded to have hundreds of employees and dozens of stores throughout Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.

Mr Munro was hailed by as having delivered "transformational impact" to the travel sector.

A Barrhead Travel spokeswoman said: "His bold vision fundamentally changed the landscape for high street travel agents across the country.

"He made a tremendous contribution to the overall travel industry as well as becoming an influential figure within the Scottish business community."

The company widely expanded through Scotland, including into petrol stations

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association said: “Bill’s colleagues in the Scottish travel industry are all saddened by the news of his death.

"Bill had an invaluable and transformational impact on the travel industry and his legacy is evident in the Scottish travel sector today. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him."

His daughter Sharon succeeded him at the helm of the company in 2007, but he remained a presence with the agency.

He attracted controversy in 2014 when he sent a letter to staff arguing against Scottish independence, which he later stressed was his individual opinion and not that of the company.

In 2018 Barrhead was acquired by the American firm Travel Leaders Group and Mr Munro took on an advisory role within the group.

However, the post ended acrimoniously later that year when he was sacked, later winning an unfair dismissal pay-out.

He is survived by wife Susan, daughters Sharon and Wendy, and grandchildren Ross and Hannah.