september 2005 - george heriot's school

QuadrangleG E O R G E H E R I OT ’ S S C H O O L D E V E L O P M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

Issue No. 8 Autumn 2005

‘PRO U D O F O U R PA S T, FO C U S E D O N OU R FU T U R E’

Thanks to George Heriot and to my father... A comic relief of my half century as an FP!

write this on “Fathers Day” in Canada with pride and grateful thanks.Dad was an Engineer Turner throughout the Second World War. Heleft before sundown and did not return until daylight lest “the enemy”would find the factory by following the lights. He fought the war in

a darkened sealed factory making stabilisers for warships whilst inhalingfumes and filings and in 1947 Thomas Hamilton suddenlydied at age 48 leaving mother with three children.Granton Primary School did its best for this“hyperactive kid” whose memory of his fatherincluded a fervent wish that I would find “a whitecollar job”!

Then one day Miss Selkirk told us that GeorgeHeriot’s School awarded Foundation Bursariesto fatherless boys. Mother was sure that I hadfailed the interview when I confessed to MrDewar that I preferred comics to books! This gaveme entrance via Senior Reserve Class. Comic relieffollowed me throughout school. In the fourth grade,having omitted to readSilas Marner for a morning test, on the way to school I purchased a copy ofthe Classic Comic:Silas Marner and read it on the 19 bus. My essay was hailedas exceptional with the comment that “your description of the characterswas so vivid; it is as though you had seen them”! An invitation to enter the“Essay Competition” sent me to The Class of the famous Mr Westwoodwho quickly determined I was headed for Science not linguistics.

Sports at Heriot’s was not a forte of mine. Asthma kept me fromGoldenacre, but somehow allowed me to serve as Secretary of The NaturalHistory Society. An equally ungrammatical annual report can be found in“The Herioter” May 1954. Not to be beaten I volunteered my sportinggenes the very first year Heriot’s started a Rowing Club, and yes I wasselected to row in the second of two rowing fours. Our boat did not winwhen we went to a Clyde Regatta. Actually, my asthma prayed the boatwould sink!

So what became of this comic good sport? In 1955 along with classmateHarvey Main he entered Edinburgh University to read Pharmacologyand graduated with Honours BSc in 1959. By that time Sir John Gaddumhad relinquished the Chair of Pharmacology and it was my very good fortuneto be invited to continue research supervised by the new Prof Walter Perrywho became a legend in the Open University and a brilliant chemist R BBarlow.Did I say that Heriot’s University Bursaries followed me throughoutmy six years of University? Thanks again.At 24 years of age this hyperactive Foundationer with a still wet PhD

made two brilliant decisions.Within ten days he married a James Gillespieformer pupil, Helena Cooper, sister of Herioter W Murray Cooper,daughter of Herioter William M Cooper, and then sailed for Canada totake an Assistant Professorship with Charles Gowdey, an Oxford cohort ofR B Barlow. ... I told Helena we would stay for but two years I blameGeorge Heriot for my still being in Canada. ... the schooling must haveprepared me for achievements beyond my and my father’s and teachers’dreams.For thirty six years at the University of Western Ontario in LondonOntario I taught in the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Scienceand Graduate Studies. Proudly, I trained 14 MSc and 10 PhD students asChief Supervisor. By 1972 I had risen to Full Professor and had twice beenelected to University Senate. Obviously, based upon my experience in ourNatural History Society, I have served as Honorary Secretary of ThePharmacological Society of Canada, Secretary Treasurer of The CanadianFederation of Biological Societies, and became President of the latter. I wasfortunate to be Assistant Dean (Research) both for our Faculty of Medicinefrom 1984 to 1987,and Faculty of Dentistry from 1983 until my retirementas Emeritus Professor in 1996 at age 59! On retiring Faculty of DentistryCouncil honoured me by creating “The John T Hamilton DistinguishedLectureship in Dentistry”, an event held six times to date with internationalresearchers from Canada, USA and UK honouring this Herioter.

Rowing for Heriot’s inspired this “New Canadian” to take to the lakes incanoes. Our landscapes are wonderful, our Provincial and National Parksare breathtaking. Our sons Iain and Alastair have “canoe genes”.

Enough. I regret not keeping in touch directly with Heriot’s over the pastfifty years. However, be assured that every visitor from Canada has had towalk around Heriot’s with us and look down from The Castle. Be alsoassured as time lapse photography proves that, within this balding EmeritusProfessor, there still lurks an impish school boy in a Heriot Blazer!

Be also assured that this Foundationer has decidedto say thank you in the future.Helena and I havelisted “George Heriot’s Foundation Bursaryfor Fatherless Children” in our Wills. Fiftyyears may be half a century but it has beenrewarding.Thank you George Heriot’s onFathers Day 2005.

DR JOHN T HAMILTON,Class of ’55, Foundationer

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ecently there has been a good deal ofpublic interest in schools likeHeriot’s, as the Scottish Parliamenthas debated the reform of charity law

and attention has turned to the questionwhether independent schools should be allowedto keep their charitable status. The passage ofthe Scottish Charity Law Reform Act haswitnessed blatant attempts by some MSPs to usethe new law to strip independent schools oftheir charitable status, against a chorus of muchill-informed and blinkered carping about thesector as a bastion of privilege and elitism.

The Bill was passed in the Scottish Parliamentin July and the law will come into force nextyear. Heriot’s has not had its charitable statusremoved in the Act,and like every other existingcharity, including the other independentschools, we will be subject to the procedures ofthe new Charity Regulator to justify ourcontinuance on the register of charities. In theinterests of accountability and openness that isperfectly reasonable and proper, and I do notbelieve we at Heriot’s have anything to fear fromit. Public benefit will be the watchword, and soit is important to ask: in what ways does Heriot’sexistence as a school, and all the activities thatwe undertake, provide benefit to thecommunity where we belong?

The advancement of education is one of the 13charitable purposes listed in the Act. Heriot’s“core business” of course is to be a school,which, as HMIe have attested, we carry out toa very high standard – so presumably it can besaid that we do our bit for the cause of educationin Scotland! The continuing existence of theFoundation, the original charitable purpose ofHeriot’s, is a unique facet of what the Schoolstands for as a place of education. But look atthe rest of the list:it talks about the advancementof such things as amateur sport, the arts,heritage, culture and science, health, civicresponsibility, environmental protection, andother purposes intended to provide communitybenefit. Then consider how many of theSchool’s activities and uses of its facilitiesmatch up with these purposes – a great manydo, as a few minutes browsing on theSchool’s website will show. The pages ofQuadrangle also provide ampleevidence of how Herioters go on fromschool to contribute to the widercommunity in a multitude of differentspheres.

So the threat to Heriot’s of a withdrawal ofcharitable status has receded. However, theSchool still faces a great challenge to keep accessto a Heriot’s education as wide as possible –which implies keeping fee rises to a minimumand extending our bursarial provision – whileat the same time finding the resources to investfor the future and maintain the School’s positionat the forefront of Scottish education. Part ofthe strategy to achieve this balance is the AnnualFund.As you will see from the report enclosed,the 2004/05 Heriot’s Annual Fund has been agreat success, and on behalf of the School Iwould like to express our deep gratitude toeveryone who has supported it.Not only did theappeal exceed its target in monetary terms butit has also met its aim of increasing the numberof participants in the initiative.Thank you to allwho have continued their support from theprevious year and thank you to all who havejoined as new donors this year.Your gifts will bewell used.

On a different front the Governors of theGeorge Heriot’s Trust have been pursuinganother opportunity to raise funds for theSchool. A small part of Heriot’s land atGoldenacre has been sold, subject to planningpermission, to CALA Homes for a housing

development. I am sure the thought of anysports ground being sold, let alone a bit ofGoldenacre,fills most of Quadrangle’s readerswith horror, so, if this is news to you,before youreach for your pen or email and compose yourprotest, let me explain that the plot in questionis not green field and none of the present playingarea will be lost. The proposed development,consisting of high quality private flats, will besited on the area at the end of Bangholm Terracepresently occupied by the groundsmen’s housesand the storage and maintenance sheds behindthem. A new groundsman’s house and amodern, purpose built grounds maintenancefacility are to be built just inside the gates offWarriston Gardens. As well as raising asubstantial amount of capital, which will beearmarked for investment in new facilities atLauriston Place,this project will result in a greatimprovement in the storage and maintenancefacilities which are so vital to the work ofkeeping the grounds in top condition, and therewill also be a benefit from the point of view atsecurity at Goldenacre.

Few names in the annals of Heriot’s have asstrong an association with sport and physicaleducation at the School as Tony Welton. Manyof you reading this will have been greatlysaddened to hear of Tony’s death at the age of93 in May this year. I did not work with Tony ina professional capacity myself but greatly valuedgetting to know him as a respected formermember of staff and someone who took a keeninterest in the welfare of the School.A fine tributeto Tony appeared in The Scotsman on 8 June andcan be accessed on the Scotsman website.

Another loss from our community of formerHeriot’s teachers was that of Liz Innes, whodied in February this year after a short illness.A much loved and respected teacher of Physics,Liz was also passionate about the great outdoorsand gave unstintingly of her time and enthusiasmto support in particular the Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award Scheme at Heriot’s, even after she hadretired. She will be missed greatly.

Tony and Liz are wonderful examples of thecharacterful and talented people to be foundin the Heriot’s community. You will meetothers in the pages of this edition ofQuadrangle. Please enjoy your reading ofthis autumn’s bumper issue!

ALISTAIR HECTOR


RHFROM THE HEADMASTER

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Development Office Update


elcome to our eighth edition of Quadrangle – a bumper issuebrimming with information about former pupils andhappenings at the School.

You will note from the enclosed Annual Fund Report that the pupils atthe School have benefited from your generosity and we are delighted thatthe amount raised exceeded expectations. Participation is the key for thesuccess of the Annual Fund and all donations regardless of size are greatlyappreciated by the School.The 2005/06 Annual Fund will be launched inOctober. Please don’t miss out on the Christmas cards, detailed in thisedition of Quadrangle.

Quadrangle is your magazine – please keep in touch with us with your news and stories and let us know of any events which you wishus to publicise in future editions.

Jo Easton and Margaret Peat

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Pride of place amongst the various historical and heritage items in theownership of the Trust is the Heriot Loving Cup.Traditionally, the Cuphas been on public display once a year, when at each Anniversary Dinner ithas been used to drink a silent toast to the “ImmortalMemory of the Founder”.

The Cup consists of a nautilus shell mounted in silver giltand strapped to an open-work stem with an engraved foot.In total it weighs about 17 oz and the silver content is abouthalf of that amount. Nautilus shell cups were very fashionableon the Continent in the 16th and early 17th centuries, but thereare only two possibly Scottish-made examples in existence and theHeriot Cup is the only one where the maker can be identified.

Although long thought to be the work of George Heriot himself, the Cupis now accepted as being the work of Robert Denneistoun, whosucceeded the Founder’s father (also George) as Deacon of the Incorporationof Goldsmiths of Edinburgh in 1608. After serving his apprenticeship,Denniestoun was admitted as a master of the Incorporation in 1597, andwould undoubtedly have known the Founder, before he followed hisRoyal Master, James VI, down to London in 1603. It is possible thatthe cup did actually belong to Heriot at some point, as a lovingcup is mentioned in one of his Inventories. It was because it was

believed to have belonged to Heriot (rather than having been made by him)that the Cup was presented to the Governors in 1792 by a Mr

John Stewart.

In discussions with the National Museums ofScotland, Governors were made aware that theLoving Cup is an almost unique example of earlyScottish silverware, and with both the security ofthe Cup and its public accessibility in mind, they

were pleased to approve it being placed on loan tothe National Museums of Scotland for public display.

Initially, this will be in the Silver Treasury gallery, but in2008 the Cup will play a significant part in a temporary

exhibition to celebrate the work of Scottish Goldsmiths.It is envisaged that other memorabilia relating to George Heriot, including the Scougall painting, will also play a part

in this display.

Governors have not said “farewell” to the Loving Cup as it will be returned each year to take pride of place at the

Anniversary Dinner.

FRASER SIMM,Treasurer

H E R I O T L OV I N G C U P

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June Day this year was a big change as we were on the lawns. It did not feelthe same or as good as inside the building. June Day feels like more of anoccasion when the statue is above our heads but grass is softer for breakinga fall.

John Rae, P7, Junior School

It was with mixed feelings that many anticipated Founder’s Day 2005. Amove from the traditional setting of the Quadrangle was not widelywelcomed, despite George Heriot’s School’s ability to modernise andprogress as appropriate. However, the day dawned clear, the sun shone andthe spectacle of massed ranks of pupils in Heriot blue,set against the greeneryof the botanics, was truly magnificent. The service unfolded with its usualaplomb, creating a memorable ending – complete with the lower primaryparade, the Pipe Band, and the CCF’s March Out – for all staff and pupilleavers.A new tradition has been set.

Lyndsay A E Hawkins, S6, Senior School

The perfect sunny weather made the new venue, the East Lawn, quitedelightful.It is historic in its own right,being famous for Lunardi’s pioneeringhot air balloon ascents in 1785, and in the twentieth century it became thehallowed site of the School Cenotaph to Heriot’s fallen of two world wars.The fine trees and well kept shrubs,flowers and lawn make it a very attractivealternative to the Quadrangle.

The line of low stands erected along the East Terrace gave a perfect view ofthe assembled pupils, the Pipe Band and the Combined Cadet Force, whileaffording easy access to seats for elderly guests. The speeches were muchenjoyed. Major John Allan MBE is now retiring from his fifteen yearsoutstanding leadership of the Pipe Band.The Band played to prove that hewill be a hard act to follow.

The traditional wreaths in memory of George Heriot were hung on anunobtrusive framework behind the main stand on the East Terrace and wereafterwards transferred to their usual place in the Quadrangle.

Alan Shaw, Class of ’34

24 years ago I stood as a nervous Primary 1 boy and was told to make sureI looked at George Heriot as I walked out of the quad. A couple of monthsago I knew my little brother was going to bring a long run of Shorts atHeriot’s to an end (much to my Dad’s relief!). I must admit when I heardit was not going to be in the quad I had some concerns. Standing on thelawns in the sun with the beautiful building in the background and the castleto our right was fantastic though. I am sure George would have approvedand was still watching over us all from a distance.

David Short, Class of ’94

Founder’s Day2005 took place in the new venue of the East Lawn –here are comments from all areas of the Heriot family.

Founder’s Day - June 2005

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As a former member of staff involved in organising the June Day homageceremony for 34 years, I have more than a passing interest in it. When Iheard that such a drastic change was planned, the traditionalist in me reactedwith disapproval. I did realise, however, that the Health and Safety case wasunarguable. Pupils and spectators being put at risk was indeed unacceptableand something had to be done.

In the end I was totally won over by the new venue. Clearly it was safer, butin addition the bright, airy, green surroundings of the gardens added a senseof cheer which was missing in the more sombre shadows of the Quadrangle,while the dignity of the occasion was maintained.The Terrace and the Nurserypathway provided natural viewing points for the growing number ofspectators and I’m sure they will increase even further in the future.

The statue of George Heriot may have been missing from the proceedings,but I believe that Heriot himself would have approved of the new venue.Traditions have to start somewhere and I am confident this one will quicklybecome established.

Stewart Barnes, Retired Staff

To my mind, the confined, almost prison-like setting of the quad did not givea true impression of the Heriot’s ethos. It suggested a school in which pupilswere herded together in a restrictive way,whereas the lawns provided a muchmore open and expansive setting which well depicted the outward-lookingnature of the school’s aims of combining those two important ingredients ofa successful society – working together as a community and freedom todevelop individual talents.The new setting also gave scope for the attendanceof that third important element – the parents. I would like to congratulatethe pupils and staff on creating a real sense of occasion.

Henry Philip, Governor

I did enjoy the new location for June Day Celebrations. Having read a fewchapters of Jinglin’ Geordie’s Legacy, it has been interesting to realise thesignificance of the links between Heriot’s and the City of Edinburgh. Howappropriate, then, that the ceremony will now take place with the stunningvista of school and city together as its backdrop. Congratulations to all whohad a hand in reorganising this historic event.

Fiona Sturrock, Parent

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A (SCOTS)

MEMBER OF STAFF: Joyce Sutherland

Forty Years? ...Never!A few of us from the Class of ’65 have kept in touch, with most of us meeting(in an Edinburgh hostelry) at least twice every year.

Our group comprises:-

Mike Bonar (Edinburgh)David Kirk (Cupar, Fife)Malcolm Langlands (Edinburgh)Ian Leithead (Toronto, Canada)Duncan Urquhart (Uphall,West Lothian)Ronnie Watson (Edinburgh)Graham Wishart (Carnoustie,Angus)And myself Graeme Fraser (Dundee)

A letter from Margaret Peat, earlier this year, regarding an old schoolchum (Eric Messer) wishing to make contact, persuaded me that, 40 yearsafter leaving Heriot’s, some of us really ought to attend a Founder’s Day, inaddition to meeting for drinks!

A number of e-mails later, our day was organised, with Margaret kindlyarranging seats for us at the Ceremony. (VIPs indeed!)

With the exception of Ronnie (on holiday) and Malcolm (working abroad),we met up in good time to have a quick look around the old Quadrangle,before taking our seats to watch the Ceremony, held for the first time on theEast Lawn.What a glorious sight, enhanced by the bright sunshine – I, forone, had a lump in my throat throughout.

Much has changed since our day, but the spirit of George Heriot certainlystill survives.

Following the June Day Reception at midday, we took the chance to exploresome of the corridors and classrooms, exercising our memories with thenames of teachers long gone and of old classmates, long out of touch.

Thereafter, lunch in the Greyfriars Bobby pub seemed a fitting end to theday – after all, this was where it all began!

Hopefully, some other members of the Class of ’65 may read this.We wouldlove to hear from you!

GRAEME FRASER, Class of ’65

CLASS OF ’65 REUNIONGraham Wishart, Duncan Urquhart, Mike Bonar,

Graeme Fraser, David Kirk, Iain Leithead.

On Founder’s day it’s old traditionTo stand up straight, tie in position.

When fainting starts tae tak’ the leadThe stone is hard to bang yer heid.

So, thus pronounced the bold heidmaster:‘We canna have ye fa’ on plaster!Much safer noo to stand on gress.’The staff a’ thocht ‘twad be a mess.

But lo! The sun came oot to smile on a’And very few did have a fa’

The birdies sang, the pipers playedThe worms below the gress they stayed!

The staff like me their words did eat!When we oor Founder on the gress dae greet

‘Tis just as special for us allA new tradition to install!

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1. How much has the school changed since you were a pupil?

I think change is a very emotive subject for all former pupils – some are nodoubt horrified by anything being different. It’s changed far less than I thought. I’ve noticed that there have been major changes to thejuxtaposition of departments, classrooms and to the technology availablebut this has been for the better.There’s a friendlier atmosphere and it seemsless strict than when I was at school. I’m glad to see the school is so vibrantand it feels like it’s more fun than in my day. I am sorry I missed the arrivalof girls; that has definitely been a good thing – my father told me that theboys’ behaviour changed dramatically (for the better) after the girls came!

2. Did you do any drama when you were at school?

A member of the EnglishDepartment would producesomething each year and theArt and TechnicalDepartments would beinvolved with this. They werealways ambitious projects butchosen according to the levelof interest shown by the pupils– it could end up beingsomething by Pinter with justthree parts! I was in only oneplay – a Victorian melodramain which I played a farmerwhose money had been stolen.I had only one line to say but Ifroze when I walked on stageand was unable to say a thing!Eventually, someone else saidit for me and I walked off. Iswore I would never do drama again after that but I am very glad that Imanaged to pick myself up again. I was very impressed by the Dramadepartment today; perhaps I would have done better if I had had theopportunities like you have now.

3.What was it like having your dad as a teacher at your school?

It was much better than you might think. Firstly, everyone was very fair tome and I didn’t feel I had to be on my best behaviour all the time. I was alsotreated to a lot of inside knowledge about the school – my parents wouldobviously socialise with other staff – and it felt very normal to see otherteachers from a young age.

4.When did you decide you wanted you be an actor?

In S5 I used to sing with a band – something which made me very happybut it also meant my academic career took a bit of a nosedive! One day Irealised I wanted something more than the singing but wasn’t sure how togo about it. So, I went to drama school to learn how to act.

5.We hear you have acting experience in theatre, is that more funthat TV/films?

I’ve done more work in the theatre than in television and films althoughpeople tend to have seen more of me on screen.The two worlds are verydifferent so I can’t say I prefer one to the other.The advantage of film andtelevision is that you have the opportunity to do something again to get itright. However, there is nothing like the feeling you get from theatre andthe contact you get with an audience after a good performance. I wouldn’ttrade that for anything.

6.What are the differences between acting on television and actingon the big screen?

There is very little difference now. Itused to be the case that there was moretime to make a film and that mosttelevision was filmed in a studio but thatis no longer true. Televisionprogrammes and films are now shot inthe same way.

7.What is your next project?

I am about to start filming the adaptationof two Ian Rankin “Rebus” novels. Theyare due to start shooting in Glasgow andEdinburgh for eight weeks. Then I willbe back in London to do some theatre.

8.What advice can you give toaspiring young actors in the school?

I think it would be wise to know whyyou want to be an actor. If you want toget money, if you want to be famous, if

you want to go to lots of parties, then you are doing it for all the wrongreasons. The reason to be an actor is to be a good actor and the way tobecome a good actor is to go to drama college and to work on your ability.The old saying,“talent will out” does hold true; if you are talented then youwill earn recognition and respect from fellow actors which is veryimportant. It’s not an easy profession but it is great fun.

9. What do you miss about Scotland when you are working?

Edinburgh is a great place to grow up in – who could ask for more thanEdinburgh? It is a city full of history which makes you very proud.Thereare plenty of things for kids to do: there are open spaces – Queen’s Park,Braid Hills – skating rinks, good football teams (!) and you can drive outof the city into beautiful countryside in such a short space of time. I missthe tolerance of the Scottish people; I love the fact that they will alwayssupport the underdog – not in a sporting sense – but those who are lessprivileged.

RACHEL NORTH, S6 now FP Class of 2005

FROM THE HERIOTER 2005

Ken StottClass of ’73

INTERVIEW

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– Annual Dinner –O F T H E H E R I O T C L U B

A successful annual dinner of the Heriot Club was held in the OldRefectory at the School on the evening of Saturday 4th June 2005.Over ninety members and their friends attended.The Club was pleasedto welcome visitors from London, the Midlands and South West,Yorkshire and Montreal. A Herioter, the Rt Rev Bishop BrianSmith, Bishop of Edinburgh, gave the principal toast of the evening,to the School and Governors. Rev Andrew Anderson, Minister ofGreenside Parish Church and a Governor of Heriot’s, replied. TheChairman for the evening was Robert Brown, the President of theHeriot Club, who gave the toast to The Memory of George Heriot and to the Guests. David Henderson, Secretary of the YorkshireHeriot Club replied on behalf of the Guests and Corinna FlemingPresident of the Borders Club thanked the Chairman. Excellent piping from David Doyle provided music before the dinner and againduring the evening.

Heriot’s Rugby Club

DAUGHTER CLUBS

ABERDEEN HERIOT CLUBContact: Alastair Sinclair, tel: 01358 724597,email: [email protected]

BORDERS HERIOT CLUBAnnual Dinner, Friday 4 November,at The Lodge,CarfraemillContact: Jim McFarlane, tel: 01573 225802,email: [email protected]

LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE HERIOT CLUBAnnual Dinner, Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm for 8pm,Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre within the University of ManchesterContact: Stuart Patrick, tel: 0161 427 4282,email: [email protected]

LONDON HERIOT CLUBMonthly Meetings, second Wednesday of every month,from 6.45pm – 8.30pm at the Caledonian ClubAnnual General Meeting, Wednesday 9 November, starting at 6.30pm, Caledonian Club followed by dinnerAnnual Dinner, Friday 24 February 2006, 6.30pm for 7.15pm,Caledonian ClubContact: President, Edmund Gordon, tel: 020 8883 5978 or 020 8883 6125, e-mail: [email protected] and Treasurer: Jeffrey Maccabe, tel: 020 8693 2127,e-mail: [email protected]

MIDLANDS HERIOT CLUBGolf Day, sadly the Midlands Heriot Club lost to Watsonians FPs for the first time in 10 years on 25 July.Contact: Ian Miller, tel: 01564 778186,email: [email protected]

YORKSHIRE HERIOT CLUBGolf Day, 22 September, Bradford Golf Club, all welcomeContact: David Henderson, tel: 01943 878935,email: [email protected]

HERIOT LUNCH CLUBMeets 1st Tuesday of each month at 12.00 noon in theStarbank Inn (at the corner of Starbank Road and Laverock BankRoad), Edinburgh. All are very welcome to attend.

HERIOT CLUBS

The Heriot Club Summer Ball was held at the Roxburghe Hotel onSaturday, 28th May. It was a most enjoyable evening, a highlightbeing dancing to The Soul Kings Motown tribute band. The Clubcontinued this year to support the School’s Annual Fund, with asizeable figure being raised from ticket sales and a raffle. Thanks aredue to the raffle prize donors – of which there are too many tomention. A big thank you is also due to the Ball Committee of EuanAllan, Liz Shand, Angie Simpson, Colin McCallum,Jonathan Adams and Cara Watt.

SUMMERBALL

SUMMERBALL

– HERIOT’S FORMER PUPIL –

H O C K E Y C L U BHeriot’s FP Hockey Club is one of the most respected hockey clubsin Edinburgh and is a developing force in the National competition.The Club started as a group of friends who played together at Schooland now we field four teams at National and District levels, bothindoor as well as outdoor, thanks largely to a continual influx of newplayers due to the benefit of professional coaching. A highlight andlowlight of last season was the First XI narrowly missing promotionto National League 1,but it is with great anticipation and expectationthat we approach the forthcoming season. The Club’s evolvementmeans that we can now cater for any female player of all ages (14years +) with any ability, but whether you play for our First, Secondor Third’s the main purpose is to have fun.We give you the chanceto make friends and the social events are always great experiences!We train on Tuesday nights 7pm to 9pm on the astro pitch atGoldenacre and this is also where we play our home games.Why notcome along and put your skills to the test? Feel free to bring a friend,as our membership is open to non-FPs. For more information pleasecontact Margaret Peat at the School’s Development Office whowill put you in touch with either the Club President, RuthMustard, or myself.

Carolynne Sutherland, Club Secretary

The FP Hockey Club website will be up and running shortly and will be accessed via a link on the School’s website –www.george-heriots.com

All Herioters, their relatives, friends, neighbours, work colleagues,parents of school children and their friends, colleagues and so on areinvited to join the Rugby Club. Still interested in playing? We runthree sides catering for the serious and social player alike. Forinformation on the club, membership, news of this season’sfixtures and how to book hospitality for our leaguematches and also for Six Nations Championshipmatches – contact the Secretary, George Lambie,on 0131 552 5925 or 07720 704900 or email:[email protected]

Please visit our websiteswww.scottishrugby.org/sites/Heriots-Rugby-Club or www.heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk

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- Reunions -REUNION AFTER 60 YEARS – CLASS OF 1945

Twenty former pupils who left Heriot’s at the end of the Second WorldWar met in the School for a reminiscent reunion on Saturday 25 June2005.The number could have been larger but the ravages of time meantthat illness, age and distance unfortunately prevented some fromtravelling.

We gathered for coffee in the Staff Common Room at 10.30am whererecognition through the mists of time immediately recalled oldfriendships.A tour of the School conducted by Jo Easton and MargaretPeat of the Development Office served as a memory jolt of days goneby and gave us an insight into what is now in progress.

After the group photograph with everybody trying to look young again,lunch was served in the School Refectory where we were joined by theHeadmaster who gave us a resume of the wide-ranging activities nowtaking place in the School and which reassured us that Heriot’s is in goodhands for the future.

We departed at 3pm musing about the next reunion.

ROY MACGREGOR

Should anyone wish a copy of the Class of ’45 photograph pleasecontact the Development Office


50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION FOR THE CLASS OF ’55

On Friday 3rd June, 23 Senior Citizens went back to school. This wasthe Class of ’55 Reunion and a very special evening it proved to be.Thesignificance of the event was highlighted by the fact that those attendingwere not Edinburgh and district residents only but some had travelledfrom various far-flung corners of Scotland and England. The prize forlong-distance travel, however, was shared between Bill Kirkpatrickand John Hamilton who had come all the way from Canada!

The first programmed part of the evening was a tour of some parts ofthe School,ably conducted by Jo Easton and Margaret Peat.We visitedthe old building, the “new” building and the hall, and it was remarkablehow every room and corridor revived memories of events of fifty andmore years ago (“Do you remember…?”, “Were you here on the daywhen …?”, “This used to be …?”). Ah, nostalgia – breath of life for theageing! The rows of computers and other state-of-the-art teaching aidscontrasted strongly with the “chalk and talk” approach of our day, but thismerely demonstrates how the School has moved with the times. It wasencouraging,however,that some well-remembered scenes remain intact,for example the Quadrangle, the Chapel, the spiral stairs in the turrets.

Returning to the Staff Room we were warmly welcomed by Jo Easton(and a glass, or two, of wine). It was at this juncture that we were joinedby Mr Hector who remained with us for the rest of the evening.Therewas now an opportunity to circulate,compare notes, gossip and againexchange reminiscences.While some ofthe group are in regular contact witheach other, and indeed have on-goingconnections with the School, some ofus had 50 years of catching-up to do.This proved to be an excellent mix,since the locals could update the “exiles”on events affecting the School and onpeople whom we had known. It wasgood to hear that a number of our old(and respected) teachers are still to beseen in the Edinburgh area, whileothers, sadly but inevitably, had passedon. News of fellow Former Pupils wasexchanged and while most of that waspositive and reassuring there was anelement of sadness, too, in that some ofthem are no longer with us.

The rest of the evening was spent inenjoying an excellent buffet supper, andour thanks go to the ladies whoprepared and presented it. Not only didthey do a fine job with the food but theyalso ensured that the wine glasses wereseldom empty! At Mr Hector’s suggestion we changed seats betweencourses and this certainly helped to keep the conversation flowing.

Our sincere thanks go to Mr Hector, to Jo Easton and to Margaret Peatfor giving us a memorable evening. Not only was it a real pleasure tomeet them but they also made a significant contribution, on the day, tothe success of the Reunion.

So what did we learn on our return to school? We learned that friendshipsand memories from half-a-century ago are alive and well, that the ever-developing Former Pupil “network” is in the best possible hands, and thata modern, vibrant, forward-looking school can still find a place for itstraditions. Surely all that was well worth going back to school for!

ALBERT DINNIE

CLASS OF ’45 REUNIONBack Row – left to right

David Farquhar, John Murdoch, Ronnie Cramond, BillMacmillan, Clyne Shepherd, Andrew Hay, Bob Darling

Middle RowsIan Donald, Scott Brown, Jim Cooper, Hugh Hunt,

Vivian Linacre, Dick Hutchinson, Gus Munro, RoderickMacGregor, Morton Gould

Front RowStan Wilkinson, Roy MacGregor, Headmaster,

George Goudie, Ronald Hume

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Saturday 19 November

The Development Office will shortly be sending out invitations tothose from the Class of ’80 to come back to the School for a Reunion.I was genuinely pleased to hear that a reunion was being organised.I’ve only managed to keep in touch with 4 or 5 people since leavingschool and will welcome the opportunity to meet again and catch upon a quarter of a century of gossip. I’m sure that we all have somegreat memories and stories we can tell and I would definitely urgeeveryone to attend. I’ve included a Class photo from P2 – see howmany faces you can put names to and bring your answers with you!Looking forward to seeing you in November for what I am sure willbe a night to remember for the next 25 years!

MARK WATSON

Please take a look at Desperately Seeking on the back page and get in touch if you can help us find lost members of the Class of ’80.

CLASS OF 1995 – 10 YEAR SCHOOL REUNION

Friday 30 September Venue: Goldenacre Rugby Club at 8pm

A few of us have organised this year’s school reunion (Blythe,Roger, Fiona Morton, Eilidh Steele and Nikki Sandilands).We thought we would keep it very informal – music and alcohol! The bar will be open from 8pm. Minimal charge on entrance.Any queries, give me an [email protected], Nikki

CLASS OF 2005 CHRISTMAS DRINKS RECEPTION

Wednesday 14 December, 6 – 8pm

The Development Office is hosting a Christmas Drinks Receptionfor all Former Pupils from the Class of 2005 to come back to theSchool and catch up with classmates and staff after their first fewmonths of leaving Heriot’s. Invitations will be sent out in earlyNovember but please note the date in your diary, and we hope to seeyou then.


Friday 2 June 2006

The Development Office is starting work to find those who leftHeriot’s in 1956.That is all those who actually left from Sixth Yearin 1956 or left earlier but had they stayed on to Sixth Year that wouldhave been their year of leaving. Part of the success is down to valuablehelp from FPs in gathering names and addresses for their classmates.We are seeking help and would ask everyone to spread the word. Ifyou know of someone not receiving Quadrangle please contact uswith their details. We will be gathering names and addresses, andplan to send out initial information on the Reunion in earlyDecember.Please take a look at Desperately Seeking on the back page and get in touch if you can help us find lost members of the Class of ’56.

FORTHCOMINGReunions

CLASS OF ’80 REUNIONClass 2L 1969-70

CLASS OF ’55 REUNION

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he search for an original photograph of the 1959 Athletic Club Relay Teamby Gordon Whitehead (see Spring 2005 Issue) led to a reunion by fourmembers of the five man squad on School Sports Day 18 June, preceded by

a visit to the School the previous day.With the assistance of the Development Office,Gordon was put in touch with John Cowing,George Gallieand Bill Honeymanwho needed little persuasion to arrange a get-together after 46 years.At the time ofarranging the reunion all attempts to trace Ian Brown, the fifth team member,proved unsuccessful.

The Team performed admirably at the 1959 S.A.A.A. Junior Championships with avictory in the Three Quarter Mile Medley Relay, and finished a close second in the4 x 110 Yards, setting a new School Record for the event. “We had been favouritesto lift the Scottish Schools 4 x 110 Yards Relay title that year”, Gordon recalls, “buta dropped baton on the first leg put paid to our challenge, and we finished well downthe field. This setback made us all the more determined to do well at the JuniorChampionships, and, in the weeks following, our P.E. teacher ‘Molly’ Hunter putus through intensive training and baton practice which largely contributed to oureventual success, maintaining the tradition of Heriot’s Relay Teams of the 1950’s innational athletic events.”

On Friday 17 June, after introducing the Sports Master, Dougie West, a tour of theSchool was hosted by Margaret Peat and began in the Old Building, where it wasreassuring to see that, apart from the use of some rooms and the conversion of theold cloakrooms into offices, the ‘architectural jewel’ had changed little. Likewise,the Raeburn Building (Chemistry Department and Swimming Pool), the CastleBuilding (the old Junior School now housing Home Economics, Art and TechnicalStudies) and the Lauriston Building (Physics,Biology,Geography and I.T.) all showedlittle alteration. The major changes to the Senior Assembly (Examination) Hall,however, made quite an impression, where a horizontal sub-division had formed theMusic Department and Senior Library on the ground floor, with a new hall at firstfloor level, the latter notably incorporating into the podium most of ‘Doc’ Smith’sold music room.The visit concluded with a look around the “new” (in 1971!) SchoolRefectory and the Lawns which, it was interesting to note, are no longer a ‘pupilfree’ zone. Margaret proved to be the most charming and gracious of hosts andconfessed to having seen parts of the School previously unknown to her! We werealso grateful for being allowed to linger long enough to recapture memories of pastschooldays and reminisce about our long-gone school teachers.

On Sports Day the team were warmly welcomed by Dougie West on a gloriouslysunny morning. Despite his hectic schedule as MC and co-ordinator of an impressiveprogramme of events, Dougie still found the time to involve the guests in theproceedings. In an event specially arranged for the occasion, the Team of ’59 werematched against the cream of Primary 1 in an invitation relay race. John Cowing’slate arrival due to traffic problems meant that a youthful Stewart Adams, Head ofthe Junior School, bravely ‘volunteered’ as his replacement. Despite this strongaddition to the squad, the Team of ’59 suffered a rare ‘defeat’ in front of a large crowdof cheering mums, dads and friends!!

In an age of numerous distractions for today’s youngsters, it was heartening to seethe application and enthusiasm shown by the young participants on the sports fieldwhich, in no small measure, is attributable to the efforts of the Sports Master andhis colleagues and,hopefully,bodes well for the development of future senior athletes.

We will remember our visit to Goldenacre which made a fitting end to a memorablereturn to old haunts, and our grateful thanks go to Margaret, Dougie and theircolleagues for making us feel so much at home.We are already anticipating meetingmore old school friends at the Class of ’59 reunion four years from now.

As a post-script to the above, thanks to the never-ending grapevine operated bydetermined Old Boys, contact was eventually made with Ian Brown at the beginningof August. Since the deadline for publication had not yet passed, Ian was delightedto be part of a second ‘reunion’ and photo shoot at the School on 9 August withGeorge, John and Gordon. Unfortunately, on this occasion, Bill Honeyman wasunable to make the trip north from Dorset to complete the group. However, thanksto the wonders of digital photography, the Team of ’59 are portrayed below althoughIan and Bill have yet to meet after 46 years! Needless to say, this state of affairs is tobe rectified in the very near future.

For the record, the Relay Teams of ’59 in running order were:

• Three Quarter Mile Medley (440 x 220 x 220 x 440 yards)Gordon Whitehead, George Gallie, John Cowing, Ian Brown

• 4 x 110 yardsGordon Whitehead, John Cowing, Bill Honeyman, George Gallie

GORDON WHITEHEAD, Class of ’59

1959 RelayTeam Reunion

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I D Brown,WMW Honeyman, G Whitehead, G J Gallie, J K Cowing

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1959 RELAY TEAM IN 2005RELAY TEAM IN 1959



A brief commemorative ceremony will take place on 11thNovember at which it is hoped that members of Henry Britton’sfamily will be present.

If any Herioters who served with the RAF in the Second WorldWar would like to attend this ceremony, they should contactthe Development Office.

FRASER SIMM,Treasurer

BATTLE OF BRITAINCommemoration

Governors were pleased to respond positively to an approachby the Battle of Britain Historical Society to honour Herioterswho served in the Battle of Britain.Three Herioters who wereawarded the Battle of Britain Clasp will be commemorated bythe Society:

• Henry W A BRITTON (1935-38)

• Alexander J A LAING (1927-31)

• Bruce R SHARP (1922-28)

Henry Britton and Bruce Sharp gave their lives for theircountry, both perishing in 1940; Alexander Laing, however,survived and received the King’s Commendation. Later in thewar, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and emigratedto Canada in 1947, retiring in 1987 after 50 years in aviation.

Cabernet Syrah Domaine Montrose

Available from Heriot Enterprise Ltd,c/o Trust Office, tel: 0131 221 6700.

£6.99per bottle

New for 2005! Heriot Wines!

A History of George Heriot’s Hospital and SchoolBy Brian R W Lockhart, Former Pupil, 1956-63

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JINGLIN’ GEORDIE’S Legacy

Heriot’s History

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H“A grape combination usually found in winesfrom Australia and this gives a clue to the taste.Deep purple-red in colour and an overtly fruitynose; moderate tannins, balanced acidity, hintsof sweet liquorice and chocolate with a flood ofred and black fruits that wash over the palate”

“Pale yellow with a touch of green, this intensewine has lovely yellow peach and banana aromas.The palate is well balanced and packed withfruit. The lack of oak barrels during the ageingprocess adds an extra depth, creaminess and ahint of sweet spices”

Chardonnay Domaine Montrose

Available from Heriot Enterprise Ltd, c/o Trust Office, tel: 0131 221 6700, price £19.99, (plus P&P).

his is an excellent work, tracing the story of Heriot’s from the Founder tothe present day. It is well illustrated and contains many fascinating insights to what has made the School what it is today.The book is over 300 pages long with over 100 pages of notes and appendices

“Why not buy six bottles and get a 5% discount!”


SUSAN HUTCHINGS, Class of 2003, Cox of the Cambridge Winners


Susan coxed for four years at Heriot’s, and wasClub Captain in her final year. She received hercolours after representing Scotland at junior levelin 2001. Now in her second year of modernlanguages at Cambridge University, she coxed theUniversity Women’s Blue Boat to victory againstOxford in March.

Cambridge may have lost THE Boat Race on Easter Sunday, but the equivalent women’s racethe day before brought a win for Cambridge afterdefeats in the past three years. The Henley BoatRaces are run over a course of just under 2000m,finishing at Temple Island. Racing starts with thelightweight men’s reserve crews, then theheavyweight women’s reserves, the lightweightwomen, the women’s Blue Boats and finally thelightweight men’s boats. Cambridge Women hadalready thrown down the gauntlet to Oxford byachieving an impressive 5th place in the Women’sEights Head of the River Race in London threeweeks previously, and so despite the Oxfordcrew’s greater experience, it was a confident lightblue squad who lined up on Boat Race day.Oxfordwent hard off the start, as expected, drawing outto a lead of just over half a length, but neverseeming comfortable at their high stroke rate.Cambridge settled at a lower rating, and adetermined push after 750m consolidated thispowerful rhythm, allowing them to go throughOxford at the halfway mark. Once in front,Cambridge didn’t look back,and the Oxford crewwere suffering for their earlier exertions.Cambridge’s stamina saw them cross the line 2 1/3

lengths ahead of the dark blues, in a time of 6.27.

Despite the gruelling training since mid-September,and the early morning starts five timesa week (up at 5.30am, rowing, and back in timefor 9am lectures!) as well as land training in theevenings, the experience of racing made it allworth while.The intensity of the time we spenttogether as a crew, especially in the week running up to the boat race, when we all stayed togetherin one house, made friendships and support just

as important as rowing. It was hugely rewardingto win, of course, but the year would still havebeen incredible had we lost, despite the othersacrifices that had to be made to make way fortraining.For me, it was exhausting,and demandeda lot of patience and willpower, but winning ourboat race, and more importantly the friendshipsthat I’ve made over the year, are what make me soglad I took it on.

Su recently achieved a career change byundertaking a university nursing course. InFebruary 2005 she graduated with a BN (Hons)from Napier University and subsequently joinedthe Royal Navy. On 29 April she completed hereight weeks basic training at HMS Raleigh nearPlymouth, winning the Owen (No S) Cup (a miniature brass sextant and case) for BestOverall Trainee. She also swept the board with the other prizes on offer, gaining certificates for Best Military Bearing, Best Kit Upkeep andMaintenance, and winning the medal for theCommodore’s Prize for her leadership qualities.

Su has now commenced work at Royal HospitalHaslar, where she will be for the next 18 months as part of her newly qualified rotation.She can go for a commission in the future providing she passes the required exams. All thisafter being a qualified actress and workingfreelance as such as well as being a marketing andevents co-ordinator! She has been busy sinceleaving Heriot’s… she even taught English as aforeign language whilst at Drama College.

SU JEFFREYS, Class of ’94, Makes a Career Change

HFORMER PUPIL News

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Susan - far right



but a small community with many problems.However in Russia I met people who devote theirlives to helping others and in particular the orphanchildren, who have a very rough time.

Further information on Kitezh can be foundat www.ecologia.org.uk

Heriot’s provided me with the opportunity to playrugby. I have never looked back. Throughout myschool days, my love for the game was everincreasing. During my final year we had the mostsuccessful school 1st XV in 25 years. Thoseinvolved have many fond memories and greatcredit must be given to the coaches Keith Yuilleand Alan Quinn.

I embarked on a Physical Education teachingdegree at Moray House and played rugby forHeriot’s FP’s on leaving school. I continued toenjoy success in age group representative rugbyand when the game went professional I only hadone goal. Two months before my finals I wasoffered a contract with Edinburgh Reivers, one ofthe two professional teams in Scotland at the time.I was absolutely ecstatic.

In my second year at Edinburgh I achieved alifelong ambition to play for Scotland.The gamewas won 43 v 20 against Tonga. I scored 23 points,a record for a debutant.Unfortunately it was a fullyear before I played for Scotland again.My secondcap was also memorable as I played alongside

Bruce Douglas (Class of ’97). He was part ofthe school team in season 1995-96 and was makinghis debut.

After two years playing for Edinburgh I moved toLeeds where I have finished a third successfulseason.Recently,the club reached the PowergenCup Final, the equivalent to the FA Cup. It wasa fantastic achievement for the club who wereplaying division 4 rugby only ten years ago.Wewere the underdogs against a Bath side with aformidable cup record. It was our day though aswe won 20 v 12. I was fortunate to be voted “manof the match” for which I was very proud. I havenever been so exhausted physically or mentallyafter a game of rugby. The whole day was afantastic experience. It was made even morespecial seeing so many Herioters in thecrowd, especially sisters Laura and Annaand brother David.

I now have 18 caps for Scotland and hope to addto that tally.These would not have been achievedwithout the advice and support of the teachingstaff at Heriot’s for which I am very grateful.

GORDON ROSS, Class of ’96, Leeds Tykes and Scotland Stand Off

NATASHA DOFF, Class of 2004, Experience in Kitezh, Russia

After 13 years of school I was eager to see theworld. I left Edinburgh last September to becomea volunteer in Kitezh Children’s Community inRussia. I didn’t really know what I was lettingmyself into, but it turned out to be the best 3months of my life.

Kitezh lies in the flat countryside 300 km south ofMoscow and was set up 13 years ago as acommunity where orphan children can find ahome and a family. 31 children now live there. Iwas one of a number of Western volunteers whogave English classes and became part of thecommunity for a few months.

It was dark when I first arrived in Kitezh after thesix hour bus journey from Moscow. I could justmake out the beautiful shapes of the church andthe traditional log cabins.After a few days I felt I’dbeen there for years. Thomas, another Britishvolunteer, filled me in on who everyone was andhow things worked. Learning the names of the 50or so Russians was difficult but a guess at Masha,Sasha or Natasha usually turned out to be correct.I spent the first few weeks sharing classes,spending most of my time in the kindergartenwhere you don’t need much Russian, but in theend I was teaching 4-5 classes a day which wasfantastic. Classes were small but the lack of

Natasha left Heriot’s to spend 3 months of her gap year teaching orphans in Russia – whichwould surely have made George Heriot proud. This is her description of her experiences. Natashahad her first taste of Russian in S6 and after living in Kitezh has decided to study Russian andGerman at Bristol University.

syllabus or textbooks meant that each lesson hadto be carefully planned.

After a short spell in the volunteers’house I movedin with Tamara, an amazing woman who had cometo Kitezh with her two daughters, then adopted 7siblings from another orphanage. Living in a 4room house with 7 young children was very goodfor my Russian.

Life in Kitezh is not all work. I had manyinteresting, if only half understood, conversationswith the Russian women in the traditional banya(sauna) – a social event.There were also discoswith the older children and vodka drinkingparties with the adults.The first snow came inNovember and it seemed that winter hadcome overnight. After heavy snow for threedays we awoke to the most beautiful glitteringsunny day and endless snowball fights with thechildren.As the temperature fell, more and morechildren became ill until school had to be cancelledand there were only a handful of people at lunch.Being young for a volunteer, I was almost adoptedby Tamara, given a warmer coat to wear andconstantly fussed over.

I often found it easy to forget that the wonderfulchildren came from terrible backgrounds, usuallyinvolving alcoholism. Kitezh is not a fairytale land

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At Heriot’s my interests had always spanned boththe arts and the sciences, right up to CSYS Mathsand French in sixth year. (Thanks Mr Neil andMiss Brown!)

On entering tertiary education, I knew I’d foundthe perfect blend of these two academic schoolsin linguistics, the scientific study of language. TheUniversity of Durham seemed to think so too,awarding me a First class BA in French andLinguistics in 2003 and recommending me toEastern Michigan University for my MA.

Eastern is home to linguistlist.org (“The World’sLargest Online Linguistic Resource”) where Iworked considerably more than the legal 20 hoursa week, while studying for my Masters. Thisopportunity to experience working life, albeit inan academic context, may have literally changedmy life,as it confirmed I’d had enough of academia(despite strong recommendations for a PhD fromprofessors) and was ready to put my newlydeveloped New World work ethic into morelucrative practice.

Culturally and politically, of course, the past twoyears were a fascinating time to be across thewater. I wrote home early on that it was like livinginside television – the cars, the obesity, the space,the hugeness of everything,the tastelessness of thefood,the ‘architecture’and ‘humor’:even the fire-hydrants really were the little anthropomorphicyellow and red ones you see kids bursting open onPepsi adverts!

Far and away the greatest aspect of life at Eastern,however,was its internationalism.My housemateswere Gian-Yu, a Chinese-Malaysian and Andrija,

a Bosnian-Croatian. (In fact,Andrija received hisUS citizenship while I was there. The militaryrecruitment brochure arrived the following day.)I made friends from Estonia, Eritrea, Singapore,Spain,France,Germany,Turkey,Pakistan,India…and even Newcastle!

Now I’m back and looking to keep up both theanalytical and multinational thinking in the worldof investment banking. So if you know anyone in the City looking to hire a French-speakingjunior analyst with contacts worldwide, please let me know!

So where do former Vice Captains go?SALMOND BOYS CONQUER THE NEW WORLD!

NEIL SALMOND,Class of ’99

Having put up with seven years of Heriot’s rugbyteam-mates asking whether I wore a skirt, mydedication to Scottish hockey has finally paid off!

In May, while training with the U21 Scotlandsquad, I was offered a place in the full men’s squadfor their test series in Vancouver. A key defenderhad sustained a last minute injury, and I was calledliterally a week before they were due to leave.

This “dream call-up” (so said The Scotsman) was agreat opportunity to impress the coaches, andearn myself three international caps.At one of thefirst pre-trip training sessions, I realised I waswarming up with guys who had just returned fromthe Athens Olympics.

Not bad for a skirt-wearing jessy, eh boys?

In fact, this was not the first time I’d set foot onCanadian soil. In 1999, I went with the Heriot’sU16 Rugby squad and of all the places we visitedon that tour, it was Vancouver that had particularlyimpressed me.

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed the city, thoughnobody appeared to recognise me from last time– perhaps the hair had something to do with it!

DEREK SALMOND, Class of 2002

Neil with Gian-Yu Lee.

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Graham was elected President of the Scottish GolfUnion at their AGM on 23 January 2005. Hefollows two other Herioters in this position,the late Bill Sivewright in 1966-68and of course that legend of golfadministration Lindsay Stewartwho held the position in 1991-92. Both of these gentlemenhave had a very stronginfluence on his life.Bill co-opted him on to theLothians’Golf Associationalong with fellowHerioter George Scottand both George andGraham have put a lotback into the game. Weknow that Graham holdsLindsay in high respectand indeed he has beeninstrumental in manydecisions and the way Grahamcarries out his duties.

He is very proud of the record thatthe school has enjoyed in golfadministration, at Club level, Area leveland National level but his one regret is that whilewe have provided National Champions we havenever had a Full Internationalist.Graham has beenSecretary and President of the local Area –Lothians’ Golf Association. He was also Treasurer

of his beloved club Kingsknowe for 35 years –“YES 35 Years”. They made him an honorary

member when he retired. He is not surewhether this was because of his service

to the club,his country or just to getrid of him. His fellow “Coffin

Dodgers”believe it is the latter.

Graham started school in1940 and left in 1951 and ismarried to Lesley withtwo children Keith andGillian who is the currentLadies Champion atKingsknowe. He has verymany fond memories ofhis time at school,despiteone report card sayingthat “Graham has a great

capacity to stare into space”– Some things never change.

He gave up playing golf at a very young age because of

financial reasons. There were no£500 vouchers in his day and to be

honest he would be the first to admit thathe probably did not have the temperament to goany further and preferred larking about withhitting his putter 200 yards or driving balls frombottles etc. In this day and age of protection thiswould not be allowed.

Before giving up competitive golf his record wasas follows:

• Won the Speirs Trophy in 1949 which is nowcalled the Edinburgh Boys’ JuniorChampionship at the tender age of 14 tobecome the youngest-ever winner at the ripeold age of 14,a record which stands to this day.

• Played at Boys’ level for Scotland

• Played at Youths’ level

• Represented Britain in an invitation event inSweden

• Scottish Club Golfer of the Year

Graham is a fully qualified R & A Rules Refereeand still receives many calls on the subject.He wasOffice Manager for Ernst & Young for 25 yearsbefore he left to join the Scottish Golf Union asTreasurer and Championship Secretary, a post heheld for 10 years.

To sum up. Graham considers himself to be veryfortunate to have gone to a superb school, beenguided by the two best Presidents in the game andabove everything else to have met so manywonderful people involved in the game as players,officials and members. When time permits heattends the lunches run for Herioters down in theStarbank Inn and organised by one of his idols DavidEdwards.While at these lunches and also while heis with his fellow Kingsknowe “Coffin Dodgers”there is no chance of him becoming big headed.

GRAHAM EWART,Class of ’51, President of the Scottish Golf Union

Earlier this year a few of my friends fromuniversity and I decided to celebrate our fastapproaching graduation by travelling around theworld over the summer. Among them wasCameron Drysdale who was in my year atHeriot’s. He did a degree in Geography atEdinburgh University and I did Law.

Since we were planning to do our entire trip inaround 10 weeks the pace was hectic from thestart.We left just after our graduation ceremoniesat the end of June and the first stop on our ticketwas Tokyo, where we sampled the local delightsof sushi, sashimi and the extremely potent sake(rice wine). After that we flew to Sydney wherewe hired a car and drove up the Australian eastcoast, stopping at various points such as Byron Bayand Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island– negotiable only by 4x4, along the way, our finaldestination being Cairns.

After Australia we flew to Auckland on the NorthIsland of New Zealand. Unfortunately that wasthe only part of NZ we were able to see becausewe were in such a rush, but it was eventful all thesame. We were being shown around the city bysome Kiwi girls we got to know when we were inSydney, and while on a night out we noticed a

group of guys in kilts.We went over to talk to themand it turned out that one had been at Heriot’s acouple of years below us and was in NZ for a rugbyleague 7’s tournament. Unfortunately I can’tremember his name (we were on a night out afterall) but Cammy and I spent the rest of the nightmarvelling at how small a world it is.

After NZ we flew to Fiji, where we island hoppedfor a week on the incredibly beautiful YasawaIslands, which are a short boat ride to the north ofthe main Island, Viti Levu. Then we flew toRarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands.Westayed in a hostel which was right on the beachfront, and it was on the beach that we met oursecond Herioter of the holiday,David Hamilton,who we worked out was 3 years below us at school,Class of 2004. We began talking because herecognised our Edinburgh accents, and proceededto spend an afternoon in the sun throwing a rugbyball around and talking about what had happenedat school since we left. After Rarotonga we spenta short while in Tahiti before flying to the USA,where we did a Trek America trip down the WestCoast taking in San Francisco,Yosemite NationalPark,Las Vegas,the Grand Canyon,Colorado Riverand Los Angeles.Then we visited Washington DCand New York on the East Coast.

CHRISTIAN MCDERMOTT, Class of 2001,Travels the World

Overall the trip was an incredible experience andall of us who were on it have some great memoriesto take with us when we enter the real world thatexists after university. I would recommend asimilar trip to anyone who has the time,and if youare daunted by the prospect of being so far awayfrom home, it should be comforting to know thatit is still possible to see a friendly face fromHeriot’s even when you are (literally) on the otherside of the world.

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Christian - centre, Cammy - rightOn the deck in Rarotonga



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Data Protection We have an obligation to ensure that data is processed fairly and lawfully. Data received by the Development Office is used to further the development of George Heriot’s School.The data will be controlled by the School DevelopmentOffice, in accordance with School policy. It will only be processed for marketing, PR, fundraising, event management and educational purposes. Any one wishing no further contact from the school should inform the Development Office.

Forthcoming Events:Further details may be obtainedfrom the Development Office

Heriot’s exists today due to the generousbequest by George Heriot.

The George Heriot’s 1628 Society exists forall those who have pledged a legacy to theSchool. We are most grateful to those ofyou who have responded to our Legacy

Brochure for your support. If anyone hasmade provision for the School in their willand would like to let us know,we would behappy to offer you honorary membershipto the 1628 Society.

Should you wish to receive a LegacyBrochure, or would like to discuss thepossibility of leaving a legacy to the School,please contact the Development Office.

Legacy2005Saturday 1 October,10.00am -1.00pmSchool Open MorningGeorge Heriot’s School

2-4 November, 7.00pmSenior Drama Production,Oliver Twist – play adapted from Dickens by Neil BartlettGeorge Heriot’s School

Sunday 13 NovemberRemembrance Sunday George Heriot’s School

Saturday 19 November, 7.00pm25th Anniversary Reunionfor the Class of ’80 George Heriot’s School

Thursday 8 December, 7.30pmUsher Hall Concert Usher Hall

Wednesday 14 December,6.00 -8.00pmClass of 2005ReceptionGeorge Heriot’s School

2006

1-3 March, 7.00pmJunior School Drama,Bugsy MaloneGeorge Heriot’s School

Thursday 23 March, 7.30pmGreyfriars Concert Greyfriars Church

Tuesday 28 March, 7.30pmBand ConcertQueen’s Hall

Thursday 25 May, 7.30pmJunior School ConcertQueen’s Hall

Friday 2 June, 7.00pm50th Anniversary Reunionfor the Class of ’56 George Heriot’s School

Monday 5 June, 10.00amJune DayGeorge Heriot’s School

We would like to thank those of you who have been in touch with usto share news, memories of days at Heriot’s and make suggestions forfuture editions.

Grateful thanks are due to all those who have contributed articles forthis edition of Quadrangle and please keep them coming in forfuture editions.Thanks to Alan Chalmers who very kindly checksmaterial for us prior to design and printing.

We have also been delighted to welcome many visitors, both FormerPupils and families from near and far, who have dropped in to theSchool and reminisced with us.

If there are any particular items you would like to see inQuadrangle please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

JO EASTON & MARGARET PEATDEVELOPMENT OFFICEGEORGE HERIOT’S SCHOOLPO BOX 1628EDINBURGH EH3 9WZTEL: 0131 229 7263FAX: 0131 229 6363Email: [email protected]

ALL YOUR NEWS,VIEWS and Photographs

The Development Office is continuallyseeking to find Former Pupils whom we havelost touch with and we are delighted toreport that with your help our database isgrowing.

If you are in touch with an FP who is notreceiving Quadrangle please either contact us or ask them to get in touch with us andwe will be happy to add them to our databaseto receive regular mailings.

The following are Former Pupils that are being sought for forthcoming Reunions.If you have any information please contactthe Development Office – please restassured that details will not be passed onwithout prior consent.

CAN YOU HELP FIND?

CLASS OF ’80JONATHAN P ANTHONYMICHAEL L BARTLETMARK G CAMERONNIALL G CAMPBELLKENNETH G CRAWFORDALAN F CUMMINGBARRY DUGANDAVID M FERGUSONJOHN MCN FERGUSONJOHN O GARDNERGRAHAM HISLOPNICHOLAS R LAVERHARRY S MASSIEJAMIE F MCDONALDDAVID A NICOLCALLUM R PERCYJOHN A RAEBRIAN M RAMSAYJOHN E SKINNERSTEWART SMITH

CLASS OF ’56JAMES R ALLANMICHAEL J ALLISONCHARLES W A ANDERSONIAN T BISSETMICHAEL MACK BRUCEALEXANDER J G CLARKWILLIAM D FERGUSONALEXANDER GORDONADAM D HANNANJOHN D KERRPETER J LEEJOHN A MACSWEENDAVID C OLDDOUGLAS J A READALAN H SCHOLANALEXANDER SIBBALDDAVID MCI STEWARTGEORGE MCL WALLACEJAMES F WILLIAMSLAWRENCE YOUNG

Desperately Seeking…

Quadrangle Aut 2005-Q4 12/9/05 2:26 pm Page a

september 2005 - george heriot's school

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