John Spreul or Bass John (1646—November 1722) was the apothecary in Glasgow. He got his nickname for being imprisoned on the Bass Rock for around 6 years on the charge of being present at outdoor religious meetings. Some seventeenth century church services were attended by armed defensive militia since the regime sent soldiers who attacked those at unauthorised meetings. A verdict of not proven was returned on charges that he supported those defeated at Bothwell Bridge and despite being tortured, twice, using the boot confessed no wrong-doing. Spreul's wife died while he was in prison and he petitioned for his full release, rather than being sent to the American plantations as a slave, when in 1686 there were some concessions from the regime. Spreul was liberated but initially refused to leave since the release order contained statements which he regarded as falsehoods. After freedom he seems to have quickly gained prominence and became a successful businessman being involved in fish processing and pearl trading. In 1696 he led a national fund-raising campaign to buy back Scots captured by Barbary pirates. He was an author, writing on the trade between Scotland and England and became a supporter of the Darien Scheme. Spreul was elected as a burgess in seventeen Scottish towns in the late seventeenth and early eighteen centuries.