For full disclosure and transparency:
Due diligence information is here...
Company Director: Russell McLean
Police Credentials: Part 1
This page is to provide the bona fides and credentials of our Managing Director, Russell McLean. This section specifically relates to the start, progression and premature ending of Russell McLean’s police career, following injury whilst doing his duties.
Constable Russ McLean (Right) On Foot Patrol Constable John Morgan (Left) Photo Courtesy of Charles McLean.
By 1985, Constable McLean, had recently passed his Advanced Driver Training. This was required for authority to safely drive police vehicles at speed (blues-and-twos). It triggered a tranche of various deployments at different police stations in one of the largest geographical land and island areas within Strathclyde Police jurisdiction.
The vastly consequential posting, which directly ended with you reading the eccentric Unique Property Bulletin had a catalyst here, away from his mainland posting, across to a single-manned station on the Island of Islay.
The irony to come was that McLean was on extended tour duty to cover for an ill colleague who was off for several months with a spinal injury.
Little did he know then what life changing events were in store.
Constable Russ McLean & Sheena McGilivray
On The Island of Islay
During the posting at Bowmore Police Station on the Island of Islay, there was an aircraft crash.
Tragically the pilot in command lost his life. Miraculously his actions saved the lives of 12 passengers and the life his fellow pilot sitting next to him.
Here is a photo of the TYPE of aircraft being flown to Islay Airport…
^^ This Is A Similar Twin Otter Aircraft To G-BGPC ^^
On 12th June 1986, an avalanche of alarms went off in fire stations, ambulance depots, hospitals, plus mountain rescue buildings, and coastguard operation centres. Also to police stations nearby.
There is something profoundly ominous when an entire bank of inbound phone lines, including the “blue light” treble-nine special landlines all ring and light up within seconds. The adrenalin kicks in before you reach to uplift the first phone handset.
”Plane crash, please help.”
To this day, those words are crystal clear as if they were spoken a few minutes ago, and still deeply unsettling.
Helping to check the content on this page is accurate, close to 40 years later, the PTSD kicked and a body shudder happened as soon as eyes saw the photographs the team here unearthed.
Immediately below this paragraph is the first picture. The sight of a real world downed commercial aircraft is, as the saying goes, something that gets burnt onto your retina.
Walking on the way up, this picture and what followed has haunted a thousand PTSD nightmares…
^^ Photo Courtesy of The AAIB ^^
^^ Official AAIB Report: Click Here ^^
Various training and safety protocols triggered into effect.
The miracle of all 12 passengers surviving and the one of two pilots who survived is a remarkable thing to contemplate.
Just looking at this Air Accident Investigation Branch photograph (below) brings back long buried memories. Some still echo in the old bones and what happened in that very photograph, right here at this keyboard right now…
^^ Photo Courtesy of The BAA Archives ^^ ^^ BAAA Report: Click Here ^
There are certain final offices of respect to deceased persons that necessitate police presence. Even now, there may be family of the deceased pilot who happen across these words. In such an event, it is a comfort from this end of the word writing to give the assurance that dignity and respect were afforded to the gentleman.
Whatever the AAIB report may say (and it is a struggle to read), the police officers, firefighters and paramedics were all incredibly respectful to the deceased pilot because they had just seen 13 people survive an aircraft crash, which given the terrain and circumstances, were down to the one soul who had perished. A man who had lost his life whilst saving the lives of 13 others.
That commanded respect then in June 1986, and for those who were witness, commands respect to this very day.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch official report contains a relatively empirical sketch. However, the lines on paper translate to something far more profound and frankly catastrophic for all those who were aboard G-BGPC that fateful day…
^^ AAIB Diagram of Twin Otter Aircraft G-BGPC Final Moments ^^
There were permanent police shifts to ensure the site integrity for several days. Usually just two people and a now empty aircraft. A police officer and the AAIB crash inspector.
The condition of the parts meant several lifts by heavy duty helicopter.
The AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch) inspector asked McLean if he could assist in cutting off the aircraft tail section, so that the helicopter could safely lift separate parts.
The AAIB chap handed McLean a blade from a small hacksaw that you can buy in any DIY store. Not the whole hacksaw, just a 5 inch, flimsy piece of metal-saw blade.
With disconcertingly ease, that small metal hacksaw blade cut through the fuselage of a commercial aircraft like a hot knife through butter. McLean even avoided flying for a year. Not from concern about aircraft crashes where he found himself standing. It was the this aluminium fuselage shell that was disturbing.
During this assist to cut the tail off of G-BGPC, Constable McLean injured his own spine.
Not too badly, but the next two spinal injuries led to unavoidable spinal surgery on the 1st July 1994.
On reflection, just being witness to the forensic nature of an AAIB investigation, and of course what led up to it, resulted in a change in life perspective.
The pilot who saved the lives of 13 people on 12th June 1986 just got up from a night’s sleep and had his breakfast, likely with family, with no idea this would be his last day on Earth.
That whole crash affected the entire island. One of the most memorable things is the occasional Ileach would come all the way up with a flask of hot coffee and food for a cop and an AAIB investigator. Deliberately NOT looking at the aircraft. Just the islanders way of showing kindness.
Many a night at 4am, the Unique Property Bulletin gets written. The reason? It helps the PTSD. Hopefully the folk who were actually aboard the downed aircraft find peace somehow too.
*********
|
\/
Advisory: Please note, below this point are MRI scan medical images of internal body parts such as the spinal column and body cut-away slice-through scans.
If you have an aversion to medical images, perhaps cease scrolling down and revert to the main page.
|
\/
Company Director Russell McLean
Disability Result Credentials: Part 2
(i). The first injury to the spine has been narrated above at the G-BGPC aircraft crash and sawing the tail section off of the downed aircraft in an AAIB assust.
(ii). The next injury during Strathclyde Police service and constable McLean sustained what appeared to be a minor back injury rescuing a waterlogged casualty from the harbour.
(iii). Several months later, during a remote helicopter casualty evacuation., the emergency was under-crewed.
There were two paramedics required at one end of a stretcher (to administer life-saving protocols) bearing a seriously injured farmer requiring a lift onto a hovering air-ambulance helicopter. The aircraft could not land due to the boggy, unstable nature of the terrain. So the pilot was unable to assist with lifting the stretcher on-board. Constable McLean managed to lift the other end of the stretcher (solo) onto the ambulance helicopter. Miraculously the casualty survived. However, the spinal injury became worse.
(iv). The fourth and police career-ending injury was a casualty choking to death. The casualty was wedged in a position that had rendered him incapable of exiting. Then after cyanosis was witnessed on the patients face and hands, the casualty had become unconscious. As this was not a Road Traffic Accident nor similar high-impact-trauma event, and no neck injuries were likely, the casualty was safely extracted. The patient survived. Unfortunately, due to the rural nature of the incident, there were no immediate back-up emergency service crew available. The manoeuvre lifting a very large, unconscious casualty, single headedly caused a third, cumulative back injury that can be clearly seen on the following MRI scans.
During 1994 the deterioration of this reached a point where paraplegia was indicated by the neurological surgeon. So spinal surgery to remove the prolapsed intervertebral disc at L5/S1 was required and completed.
This may seem a bit gruesome, but it does give an interesting insight into what so many folk suffer from: a damaged spine…
^^ Russell McLean MRI Scan of L5/S1 Disc Prolapse ^^
Copyright Owned by Russ McLean CC BY-SA 4.0 Public Domain Use of This Image Is Permitted For Educational Purposes: Click Here.
^^ Russell McLean MRI Scan of L5/S1 Disc Prolapse ^^
Copyright Owned by Russ McLean CC BY-SA 4.0 Public Domain Use of This Image Is Permitted For Educational Purposes: Click Here.
^^ Russell McLean MRI Scan of L5/S1 Disc Prolapse ^^
Copyright Owned by Russ McLean CC BY-SA 4.0 Public Domain Use of This Image Is Permitted For Educational Purposes: Click Here.
McLean had moved down from his home on Davaar Island, near to the Mull of Kintyre in Argyll to London for employment purposes. Principally to earn sufficient capital funds to restart a ferry service back home between Argyll, in Scotland and Antrim in Northern Ireland. The reason being to help improve the fragile economies on either side of the North Channel.
Hence the surgery was performed at a London commuter proximity hospital…
^^ MRI Scan of L5/S1 Disc Prolapse: Patient: Russ McLean ^^
Copyright Owned by Russ McLean & Christchurch Park Hospital. CC BY-SA 4.0 Public Domain Use of This Image Is Permitted For Educational Purposes: Click Here.
***********
Unfortunately, a subsequent accident: falling from a 2-storey loft hatch in his new home near to London, led to the good surgical work completed by the neurosurgeon, Dr Sharp in July 1994, being severely undone.
The subsequent damage contained a higher risk of paraplegia were Dr Sharp to go in a second time.
As a result, severe spinal disability was diagnosed and by 1999 was deemed permanent: insofar as operating through scar tissue from the earlier spinal adhesions and surgery would make paraplegia. That was the view of Dr Sharp’s colleagues: a significantly more probable outcome in the circumstances.
***********
Further narrative and perspective to assist with understanding these events and subsequent career path are provided in this social media excerpt…
.
^^ Additional Information: Click On Links Above ^^
***********
|
|
\/
Police Officer Russell McLean
Police Service Bona Fides: Part 3
=> Pass: Basic Training: Strathclyde Police Service, Glasgow HQ Training Establishment.
=> Pass: Police Constable Training (Main) Tulliallan Police College.
=> Pass: Advanced Police Driver Blue-Light Course: Tulliallan Police College.
=> Pass: Police Constable Training (Advanced): Tulliallan Police College.
=> Pass: Two Year Probation Period.
=> Confirmed: In The Rank of Police Constable.
=> Advanced: Station Officer Shift Command Duties.
=> Deployment: Relief: CID. Career Direction Assessment (C.D.A.).
=> Deployment: Relief: Traffic Department: C.D.A.
=> Deployment: Relief: Rural Beat Duties: C.D.A.
=> Deployment: Oban Police Station, Argyll: Establishment Shortfall – Relief Officer Duties.
=> Deployment: Lochgilphead Police Station, Argyll: Station Officer Relief.
=> Deployment: Bowmore Police Station, Island of Islay: Establishment Shortfall – Relief Officer Duties.
=> Deployment: Island of Jura: One-Person Police Patrols.
=> Deployment: Island of Gigha: Two-Person Police Patrols.
=> Assignment: Divisional HQ Training Officer Duties.
At this point Russ McLean’s police career was cut short prematurely following injury on duty. This required spinal surgery.
^^ At Tulliallan Police College Training ^^
***********
|
|
\/
Police Officer Russell McLean
Credentials: Part 4
There can often be some legitimate curiosity as to why a serving police officer departs an otherwise promising police career earlier than the 25 years expected? A “normal” retirement age is 50 to 60 years and time in the job is 25 to 35 years (here).
In the case of police officer McLean, the disabling spinal deterioration and latterly diagnosed PTSD led to parting ways with a job he loved. Ergo the reason for Russell McLean leaving the employ of Strathclyde Police was on ill-health grounds.
For the purposes of this due diligence page, and in order that full transparency on this matter is given, the official records state that there are no demerits nor complaints on the service records of this police officer.
Russell McLean’s departure from Strathclyde Police was eventually ascribed to severe PTSD and cumulative effects of three spinal injuries. All of which were sustained whilst on duty.
Penultimately in July 1994 the spinal injuries had been damaged to such a degree that formal medical diagnosis stated…
“An inexorable deterioration in prolapsed intervertebral spinal discs that would, in the balance of probabilities, result in paralysis from the waist down.”
Worse, in extremis they were life-limiting without the required spinal surgery (as of 2025 there is the option of more surgery on an elective basis). For sure, McLean did not want to become a British version of SFPD Chief Ironside (here).
These are the official certification documents that can be placed in the public domain for due diligence…
^^ Police Service Summary Excerpt: Russell McLean ^^
***********
The only public comment that might have an initial adverse reaction relates to a charity founded by McLean in 1997 following the death of a friend by debt-suicide (charity #1: here).
The Santander bank that held charity funds had “lost” those funds.
Consequently…
A client of the Creditcare Money Advice Charity (established by McLean in 1997) referenced a legal bank building purchase + renovation + resale (with a somewhat dark sense of humour) as a “bank heist” due to the £48,000 surplus (legally) extracted from the bank being given to the charity.
The £48,000 raised for charitable and not-for-profit philanthropic purposes is referenced in more detail elsewhere.
This third-party external referencing brings into purview, matters such “positive vetting.” This is relevant to the of this director insofar as the “positive vetting” is a matter that still has relevance. This is as a result of the patron at the second charity formed (via the good offices of Unique Property Bulletin supporters) and established by Russell McLean and his colleague, Iain Sim. That patron being HRH Princess Anne.
The charity, Friends of TS Queen Mary (Just Google: FOTSQM) is very fortunate in being saved from a financially fragile start, thanks to a startlingly high boost in fundraising, which went from from £5,000 per annum to over £450,000 per annum to the charity thanks largely to the Royal Patron, HRH Princess Anne…
However, because of the horrendous firearm and kidnapping attempt on 20th March 1974 and Princess Anne’s reply to the kidnapper to go with him at gunpoint…
Click Here
…all trustees past and present, require a continual monitoring of security fitness to meet with the charity patron when these occasions arise. For example, when HRH Princess Anne visits the actual ship owned by the charity: TS Queen Mary.
^^ Due Diligence & Positive Vetting ^^
^^ Extend Beyond The Purposes of This Website ^^
^^ This Is Understandable After Events of March 1974 ^^
In addition, the next screenshot below ended up within debate on the floor of the House of Commons. At that level such declarations and transparency may be deemed relevant on a security health-check basis.
Similarly click here – whilst disclosure of media references is not statutorily advised, we (here) believe it is better to let those whom the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are tasked to protect as whether the matters disclosed are relevant or not.
^^ Constable Jackie Law & Russell McLean ^^
***********
|
|
\/
Police Service: Russell McLean
Summation
Rely on State Disability Benefits
OR…
Adapt For Work
Part 5
The civilian staff member at human resources in Strathclyde Police HQ was somewhat blunt in her assessment…
“McLean, you are no use to us as a cop in that condition (spinal disability).”
“Why don’t you go for disability retiral? It is a generous package plus State Benefits. You can put your feet up and watch the new daytime television.”
This was incredibly insulting, even back in the 1980s where culture and Glasgow were less understanding of people with disabilities.
McLean replied…
“With respect…
Aye’ that’ll be right.”
In Scotland, the term “Aye Right” can be a polite way of suggesting a person go away as their views are ill advised and unwelcome.
McLean’s final words to the human resources manager were…
“Now if you will excuse me, I have a new job to find and your advice is as welcome as a skunk at a picnic.”
What happened next, indeed for decades, is an unusual way of living life for a disabled ex-cop.
No doubt Russ will narrate a lot of the bland content of this due-diligence page elsewhere.
This page is predominantly written by one of the Unique Property Bulletin team to make best efforts at avoiding a conflict of interest.
The Unique Property plc/Unique Property Bulletin Ltd., book-keeper was sorting through several boxes of old files last year and put this summary table of projects together. Predominantly for the motivation of our volunteers here…
^^ This Is What Happened Next ^^
^^ A Summary Prepared By Our Book Keeper ^^
She had come across an old box full of HM Land Registry title deeds and wanted to see what those actual deeds recorded…
^^ Who Would Have Thought An Old Box of Dusty ^^ HM Land Registry Title Deeds Would Tell Such A Story of A Life… 232 New Jobs + 2 New Charities + 88 Renovated Buildings & Russ McLean Was Worried That Disability Meant A Wasted Life. The Book Keeper Was Very Kind To Do This.
Rather than follow a Strathclyde Police human-resources manager and put his feet up whist…
Claiming State Benefits and wasting his life watching the new daytime television.”
Russ McLean left Strathclyde Police and a job, from those who knew/know him, that he evidently loved.
***********
An important point and may have been missed in the notes for this page…
The medical staff have asked that Russ be open about disability as this can be helpful to others in similar circumstance (even though this report has been difficult to narrate). Russ has emphasised, he is old-school and would prefer not to talk about private health matters and old wounds from time in uniform.
But the clinical staff at Ninewells Hospital advise that…
“The sharing of positive experiences, in spite of disability, can and does help others, who follow a similar path.”
***********
In this example, the next decades were spent making reasonable adjustments” as per the Equality Act 2010… real and meaningful adjustments to enable volunteering and constructive ways to live life, in spite of the afflictions: to help friends with disabilities and ill health.
As a consequence, this is one of the results:
The taxpayer has been saved from paying out £285,000 in benefits over a lifetime to Russ McLean according to our book-keeper.
We were wondering if there might be a way to repeat this for others as the current HM Chancellor is in a bit of a difficult position and having those people with disabilities, who then become adept at problem-soling… join in to help balance the HM Treasury books might be a useful idea?
As for charities established and jobs created, that analysis would really need to be considered by a third party, independent of anything that is happens at Unique Property Bulletin or the Unique Property Mischief Club.
***********
When reviewing this page, Russ did ask for one note to be put in…
His main fear has been a wasted life.
The 232 jobs created and 88 buildings renovated, plus charities registered should, we hope, allay some of those fears.
McLean concluded…
“None of this could have been done without the help of friends, to whom an unpayable debt of gratitude will always be owed.“
A recently rediscovered poem, written by Jack London and narrated by Ralph Fiennes, was mentioned by Russ at coffee break time this afternoon (11th September 2025). We were, of course, remembering those that had perished in New York 24 years ago. We went around the friends at this table.
Russ said his North Star can be summed up by these words…
“The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time”.
There is an irony and indeed a comfort that a person labelled “unemployable” by a civilian human resources manager at Strathclyde Police, has gone on to create at least 203 new jobs, whilst not claiming State Benefits to which his medical condition rendered him thoroughly eligible.
Plus many adventures along the way. This website will evolve into a formal record of the finances, plus each project undertaken and completed across many, many years of disability.
***********
To Return To The Main
Imteractive Discussion Page
Click Here
.
.
.
.
.
.
.