The Unconventional Legacy of Johnny Dumfries
The late Johnny Dumfries, despite his aristocratic background and successful motor racing career, never fully embraced the traditional life of nobility. The 7th Marquess of Bute, who passed away in 2021 at age 62, famously rebelled against his privileged upbringing as a teenager, dropping out of Ampleforth College at 15 to work anonymously as a painter and decorator before finding fame in racing as plain Johnny Dumfries.
Even after inheriting his title, he preferred avoiding the spotlight that came with leading one of Scotland's wealthiest dynasties. Today, his four children and two stepchildren from marriages to nanny Carolyn Waddell and model Serena Wendell have not only inherited shares of his £400 million fortune but also his unconventional spirit.
The New Generation Steps Into the Light
Unlike their famously private father, the Bute heirs are remarkably open about their lives, each carving distinctive paths that reflect their unique personalities and ambitions.
Lady Lola: The Modern 'It Girl'
The youngest child, 26-year-old Lady Lola Affrica Crichton-Stuart, has transformed partying into an art form, becoming the family's most visible member with over 49,000 Instagram followers. Her extravagant 25th birthday celebration at Mount Stuart House featured giant inflatable mushrooms, lobster and oyster banquets, and celebrity guests including Sienna Miller and Princess Olympia of Greece.
Despite her glamorous lifestyle, Lady Lola has faced significant challenges, openly discussing her battle with alcoholism and the tragic suicide of her artist boyfriend Kai Schachter in 2019. This experience drove her to establish mental health charity Eternity Movement. She has since found love with Dutch actor Parker Van Noord and co-founded fashion label DeBute with half-sister Jazzy de Lisser.
Lady Caroline: Speed in Love Affairs
Lady Caroline Crichton-Stuart, 41, recently announced her engagement to music video producer Biba Thomas, just eight months after calling off her wedding to artist Hetty Douglas. The eldest daughter, who describes herself as a 'Lesbian Jessica Rabbit' on Instagram, works for the Dumfries estate in London and shares intimate family snaps alongside provocative images of her numerous tattoos.
Her previous proposal occurred during a sunset beach ceremony in Ibiza, where her eight-year-old son Ben received his own ring to include him in the union. Lady Caroline's rapid romantic transitions demonstrate she's inherited her racing driver father's appreciation for speed.
Lady Cathleen: The Quiet Visionary
39-year-old Lady Cathleen Crichton-Stuart shares her father's preference for privacy, working discreetly on the 300-acre Mount Stuart estate where she's known simply as Cathleen Crichton-Stuart. Unmarried and focused on food rather than fame, she manages the historic Isle of Bute Smokehouse and upmarket venue Bute Yard.
She has become instrumental in transforming the island into a hipster food destination, promoting her father's vision through Drag Bingo events and pizza pop-ups rather than the society parties favoured by her sisters.
The 8th Marquess: Unconventional Aristocrat
John Bryson Crichton-Stuart, the 8th Marquess of Bute, prefers being called Jack Dumfries and represents a dramatic departure from traditional aristocracy. The 37-year-old sports tattoos, tracksuits, and thick-rimmed glasses while shunning celebrity circles in favour of quiet London living with his two dogs.
With only 425 Instagram followers, this self-confessed geek spends evenings building and painting Warhammer model kits, once dedicating over 20 hours to a single eight-inch-high Chaos Knight figurine. He shares his father's love of vintage cars and fulfilled a long-held dream by purchasing a high-performance Audi RS5 coupé.
The De Lisser Siblings: Creative Pursuits
Joshua 'Josh' de Lisser, 37, has pursued multiple creative ventures, forming rap group Josh & Jozef and establishing Jamaican-inspired burger restaurant Boom Burger. Though his musical ambitions haven't yet brought mainstream success and his restaurant venture faced challenges, he found personal happiness, becoming engaged to model Delilah Austin in 2023 with whom he has a two-year-old daughter.
Jasmine 'Jazzy' de Lisser, 34, shares her half-sister Lola's glamorous lifestyle while building careers in fashion and film. The Bryanston School alumna appeared in Game of Thrones and award-winning indie film To Get Her while co-founding clothing brand DeBute with Lady Lola. Born with hepatitis C contracted from her mother's past heroin addiction, Jazzy has used her experiences to create awareness, making films to fund research into the condition.
A Dynasty Redefined
The Bute heirs have collectively demonstrated that while they've inherited substantial wealth and privilege, they've also embraced their father's independent spirit. From mental health advocacy and food entrepreneurship to rap music and acting, each family member is forging their own identity while honouring Johnny Dumfries' legacy of authenticity.
As Jazzy de Lisser movingly tribute to her stepfather: 'You made us whole again, you gave us the most beautiful family, the most wonderful life.' Their diverse pursuits suggest that the Bute dynasty's future will be as unconventional and fascinating as its recent past.
