Free and easy McCartneys

The following is an additional excerpt from the March 15, 1973 edition of the Campbeltown Courier which featured coverage of Paul McCartney's sheriff court appearance for cultivating cannabis plants. The article was written by former Courier reporter Drew Wilkin.

 

It was with a feeling of slight apprehension that I stepped into a private room at Campbeltown Sheriff Court with several other journalists to interview ex-Beatle Paul McCartney on Thursday.

 

Apprehension because my previous meeting with this celebrated musician was, to say the least, unsociable – he ordered me off his land!

 

However, when his wife Linda smiled and waved on sighting me, I was assured that today the McCartneys were being sociable.

 

Paul and Linda were perched on the table while we crowded round, pencils and notebooks poised.

 

Paul seemed very relaxed now that his 30-minute ordeal was over and relieved that he was being fined £100 for growing cannabis at his High Park Farm. He told us he had expected to spend some time in prison.

 

“It would have been alright though, if I had my guitar, I could have written some new songs,” he said jokingly.

 

The McCartneys adopted a free and easy manner with us and were only too pleased to answer any questions put to them.

 

When we ask how the conviction would affect his business and personal affairs in America, Paul said his wife likes to visit her parents in the States and perhaps immigration authorities would refuse him admission because of the conviction.

 

“She won’t go without me,” he said, giving his wife an affectionate squeeze, Linda fetchingly dressed, topped by John McCluskey QC’s bowler.

 

Paul also told us that there was no truth in the rumour that he intended to sell his Kintyre hillside sanctuaries.

 

Asked for his views on soft drug taking, smartly dressed Paul, wearing a suit and white silk scarf said: “I think it’s like prohibition in the old days.

 

“I would like to see the law advocate adults taking soft drugs like cannabis at home in private. I don’t think it’s as serious as hard drinking.”

 

With the final friendly words “must go now lads”, he left the room arm-in-arm with his wife and walked to their car amid the crowd who had gathered to catch a glimpse of his famous face.

 

A wave from Linda was the last we saw of them as they sped from the court to catch their flight to London.