Shirley retires
Shirley Duncan, eleven year veteran of the school’s administration team, retires on 28th March. Shirley started in 2013, during Jane Frith’s rectorship, and has supported Pauline Walker since 2015. Pauline describes her work as a variety of endeavours including budgeting (per capita and school fund), imprest (petty cash), prize giving management (with the school historian), and managing the fabulous administration staff.
Shirley is a huge advocate for the history and standards of the school, including uniform standards, which have massively changed in the last few years. Shirley was awarded the accolade of ‘presenter of prizes’ at the 2023 Prize Giving, an honour she said was very high in her lifetime list. A photo of her Dad Walter (Senior Drum Major of the Scottish Regiments) was prominently displayed on the wall behind her desk. We wish Shirley all the best for her retirement; you can read more of her story in the attached PDF, and she has been awarded a gallery of photographs, where you will notice Shirley’s habit of having multi-coloured hairstyles.
Click on any of the images below to enable a full screen slideshow.
***
Gordon McInally elected to the Presidency of Rotary International
Gordon McInally, (leaving year 1975), has been nominated and elected as President of Rotary International for 2023-2024. A dentist by profession, Gordon entered school in 1962 at Northfield Broadway. In his final year he won a Rector’s prize for Service, and was a participant in the School’s first European Music tour to Florence. He was also one of the team in the ‘Ask about Scotland’ televised quiz. Click here to see the Rotary International announcement.
Ian Spence (leaving year 1962), recently president of Edinburgh Rotary, said of the appointment “Rotary International is one of the world’s largest and most effective charitable institutions, operating in almost all of its countries. Gordon McInally’s Presidency is an admirable achievement and a great honour.”
The Club wishes Gordon all the best for his Presidential year, and hopes to catch up with him at some point for an update.
***
2023 Prize Giving
June 28th saw the celebration of the Prize Giving and Leavers’ ceremonies. The school roll is now of a scale which has necessitated splitting the two ceremonies, with over 230 pupils leaving via the Memorial Door (along with twenty or more former pupils who were in the audience!)
Dux of School was Ruairidh Williams, and the prizes were presented by Shirley Duncan, financial controller in the school office. The FP address was given by retiring RHS Club President Ian R C Cowie. Photographs are sadly thin on the ground at the moment, but we did manage to secure one, featuring three Club Presidents and one Rector. Russell Ogg (recently installed as RHS Club President), Rector Pauline Walker, Martin Bryden (2009-2010 RHS Club President) and Richard Steadman (recently installed RHS London Club President) completed the photocall. Click the image above for a full screen version.
***
Polar Medal winner John Smellie – Antarctica presentation
June 13th 2033 saw John Smellie, leaving year 1970, present to S4, S5 and S6 Geographers. John recently joined a very select band of just 20 who have received the Polar Medal on two occasions. For more information about his award, click here
In his fifth and final year at school, John won the Michael Shepley prize for Music, and was also commended in the Annual Report for ‘…keeping interest in the choir and orchestra going’, following the death of Bill Bowie.
Asked what his next project is, John replied ‘I have a science proposal being reviewed just now and, if it is funded, will see me returning to Antarctica, probably for the last time, at end-2024. Meanwhile, I’m considering re-starting fieldwork in Iceland to complete some projects left hanging and to investigate new ideas on how volcanoes interact with ice and what it says about climate change.’
The following photo gallery contains several images from John’s presentation, along with a photo taken on the day, and one of John in the 1964-65 Junior 1st XV.
***
Iwan Tukalo and Rugby legends travel to Ukraine
The BBC news web page announced on 14th June that Iwan Tukalo and another three Scottish Rugby legends were travelling to Ukraine to on a charitable mission. They will transport essential supplies in 4x4s to charities Breaking the Chains and Jeeps for Peace. Iwan will also take the opportunity to visit his Father’s village. The group plan to visit Nyzhniv, the village Tukalo’s father Dymtro was from and meet his relatives. The 4×4’s will be left in Ukraine to serve on the front line in several roles.
Click here for the full BBC article
***
The new Club President
February 2023 saw the installation of Russell Ogg, the sixty-second holder of the post since its inception in 1849.
Russell replaces Ian R C Cowie who steps down after five years of excellent service. Interestingly, we mirror the ‘changing of the guard’ of the London Club, where Richard Steedman has recently replaced Paul Fleming who served for six years.
Russell recently performed his first official duty as Chair of the RHS Club dinner in Edinburgh, and we look forward to reading his introductory message in due course
***
2023 Annual Dinner
The 2023 Annual Dinner was held on Friday 17th March at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh. New Club President Russell Ogg chaired the event, and also acted as guest speaker. Tickets for the event were available from David Rutherford by accessing the dinner application form. For a full report and photographs, click here.
***
Christmas 2022 Newsletter
The Club continued its practice of sending a Christmas email message to the several hundred FP’s on it’s database. The message from Club President Ian R C Cowie contained the following – click any of them to reveal the background:
- A message from the last four School captains
- The school Organ concert – the famous organ played splendidly by two FP’s
- Covid Schola Regia 2 – The second edition of the School’s response to the pandemic
- The Editor’s blog – a selection of happenings through the year
- The Remembrance Ceremony – a video of the proceedings via the School website
- The Club Christmas card
- News later on this page, including Izuka Hoyle’s BAFTA, Iwan Tukalo’s ‘Great Rugby Cycle’, and the Hidden Door event at Regent Road
***
Izuka Hoyle wins the 2022 Scottish Bafta for best Female Film Actor
Izuka Hoyle (leaving year 2012), featured as one of our ‘Modern’ biographies – wins the best Film Actress award at the Scottish Baftas on Sunday 20th November.
The award was presented to her by one of her acting heroes – Brian Cox. Watch the short video. We sent our best wishes for a great performance, and she replied “Hey guys! How sweet! Thank you for your kind words and support. Quite overwhelming really! Sending love, Z. X”
***
The Great Rugby Cycle
Former Pupil and former Scottish Rugby Internationalist, Iwan Tukalo is part of The Great Rugby Cycle, a concept created by Stuart Thom, an ex-Melrose RFC player supporting the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Iwan joined Stuart on the third Great Rugby Cycle, cycling round Wales in September, covering over 760 miles with 42,000ft of climbing in 8 days.
For full details and if you would like to support this great cause click here
***
***
Hidden Door event at the Old Royal High
Good news for the much-vaunted building structure of the Old Royal High in Regent Road – the ‘Hidden Door’ Festival took place there between the 9th and 18th of June, with apparently virtually all rooms in the main building being used.
The programme says “More than 200 new and emerging artists will be showcased…” …”Audiences will be encouraged to explore the myriad of performance and exhibition spaces as they make their way through the building, discovering unexpected sights and sounds along the way. They could stumble on a poet in Pianodrome, dancers in the central debate chamber, emerging DJs in the basement, genre-breaking bands on the indoor and outdoor stages, and some of Scotland’s most exciting visual art in the building’s smaller rooms”…”more than 70 bands taking to four performance spaces”. All of that presumably means that building is not about collapse, which is good news and a different message from that bandied about for the last few years. Read a review here – which suggested that “The venue stole the show”
***
Covid Schola Regia 1
Following the success of the first Covid Schola Regia article last year, RHS Club President Ian R C Cowie once again put his sound and video skills to the fore and created an update from the School. Ian says “Given the success of last year’s Covid Schola Regia, it made sense to produce an update, just to show how things progressed in the second year of the pandemic”. Covid Schola Regia 1 is now available. On a positive note post recording the interviews the school now has a green light to go ahead with the traditional Annual Prize Giving and Leaving Ceremony, the first since 2019 !
The Cycling Souters
Gordon Hunter and Iwan Tukalo, rugby internationals and RHS alumni of 1976 and 1979 respectively made fresh news in February as part the Cycling Souters, who did themselves and Selkirk RFC proud with their 515 mile bike ride to Cardiff, arriving bang on schedule on Saturday morning in time for the Wales versus Scotland 6 nations match on Saturday 12th February.
The Souters cyclists (and support team) were part of a 105-strong group who rode from BT Murrayfield to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in just over 48 hours, in the process raising over £250,000 for Doddie’s Weir’s MND charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
The Border Telegraph sported an extensive article on the Cycling Souters success
Having set an original fund-raising target of £5,000, over the course of the ride the Cycling Souters were astonished to see funds donated by friends, family and sponsors rocket to over £20,000.
Anyone wishing to sponsor the Cycling Souters, and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, can do so by visiting justgiving.com/team/TheCyclingSouters (where you will see some amazing photos from the journey)
***
Edinburgh Revisited
Saturday 15th January saw the opening of an exhibition at the Open Eye gallery in Edinburgh featuring ‘Edinburgh Revisited’, a splendid lavishly illustrated volume of photographs and poetry by RHS 1976 alumni Gordon Hunter and Don Ledingham. Better known in their early years as rugby players – both played for the Scottish schoolboys against France in 1976, and Gordon famously went on to be a member of the 1984 Grand Slam side, winning four caps before injury prevailed.
Photographic prints from the book were on view and on sale at the exhibition, which continued until February 5th. Gordon and Don were recently interviewed for ‘The Afternoon Show’ by BBC Radio Scotland’s Grant Stott. All proceeds from the sales of prints and books will go to Leuchie House, a national respite centre, and ‘500 Miles‘, a charity which helps people with mobility difficulties. Copies of the book can be purchased via the Edinburgh Revisited website. The image gallery shown below includes images from the book and from the appointed charities. More info. in FP Authors
***
The 2021 First Minister’s Christmas card
The BBC News website announced recently that the Scottish First Minister’s 2021 Christmas card had been created by Emily Hogarth (leaving year 2003) who was the subject of one of our recently featured FP biographies. You can see a copy of the Christmas card here
As explained in the BBC article, “The red and white design shows well-known structures including the Finnieston Crane and SEC Armadillo venue in Glasgow, and the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh. It also features thistles and a Charles Rennie Mackintosh-style rose. The design has personal links to the first minister too, as her official residence Bute House in the Scottish capital is included in the work”. Previous year’s cards have featured work by artists including Harry Benson and Annie Lennox.
Many congratulations to Emily for this prestigious commission.
***
Christmas 2021 Newsletter
A Christmas newsletter has been sent to all Former Pupils on our email database.
We are very pleased that the last three School Captains have all sent individual messages, which can be seen here, or by clicking on the image on the right. Longer versions of their individual messages can be seen here.
Other items in the newsletter include the 2021 School Remembrance service, COVID Schola Regia, and the 250th birthday celebration for Sir Walter Scott (which is the next article on this page). If you are reading this notice, and have not received your copy of the newsletter, please contact us.
A Christmas card has been sent separately.
***
Sir Walter Scott 250th anniversary
The great Man’s 250th birthday was celebrated (a little late) on Saturday 30th October, with a ‘National Service of Thanksgiving for his life and work‘ in St Giles Cathedral, followed by a procession from Parliament Square to the Scott Monument.
The Order of Service was described in a splendid souvenir programme, which sadly we do not have permission to reproduce.
The following are some of the performed components:
- La donna del lago from The lady of the Lake (1810) sung by a Scottish Opera soprano
- The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto VI (1805)
- Ave Maria, composed in 1825 as part of songs derived from The Lady of the Lake
- The Journal of Sir Walter Scott for 22nd January, 1826 – an extract
- The Heart of Midlothian (1818): Jeanie Deans addresses Queen Caroline
- Jock of Hazeldean, played as a duet
- Bonnie Dundee, from ‘Sir Walter’s Verse’, read, then sung with the chorus by the congregation
The school was represented by Head of Biology Gordon Rutter (doubling up in his capacity as Officer to the Convenery of the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh), along with RHS Club President Ian R C Cowie and Alastair Allanach. Following the service, these gentlemen were privileged to join the procession to The Scott Monument, via Parliament Square, The Mound, Galleries Precinct and Princess Street Gardens. The photo gallery below shows some of the scenes. Click on any of the images to enable a full-screen slideshow.
A video of the the procession can be seen here. Many thanks to Fraser Wright for spotting the articles and posting them on the RHS Alumni Club on LinkedIn.
***
Paul Chambers
The sad news has been announced that Depute Rector Paul Chambers lost his long battle with cancer at the age of just 48 on 25th September 2021.
Paul was a very dedicated Hearts supporter, and there was a one minute clap at the 48th minute of the Hearts game last week which apparently was incredible. His funeral was held at Mortonhall Crematorium on Friday October 15th, when a very large audience heard some fine tributes from family and friends.
Paul CHAMBERS Obituary – Edinburgh, Midlothian | Edinburgh News (legacy.com)
***
FP chosen for Tokyo Olympics Rugby Sevens squad
Ross McCann (leaving year 2014) was selected for the GB rugby sevens side in the Tokyo Olympics – and came within a few minutes of winning a bronze medal with the team, being narrowly beaten by Argentina in the semi-final playoff. Ross is the older brother of Ali, a member of this year’s phenomenally successful St Johnstone football side. Read the Courier’s report here.
Pete Clark asked who was the last RHS Olympian – the suggestion is Pringle Fisher, selected for the GB basketball squad at the 1960 Rome Olympics
***
Two RHS former pupils honoured in the 2021 Queens Birthday Honours List.
Anne Richards becomes a Dame, and John Kay is Knighted. Anne delivered the Former Pupil’s address at the 2018 Prize Giving, while John did the same in 2009. More information to follow soon, but in the meantime you can see Anne being interviewed at the 2018 Barnton 50th Anniversary Dinner at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh
Anne Helen RICHARDS, C.V.O., C.B.E., F.R.S.E. For services to Financial Services, to Women, to Education and to Science
Professor John Anderson KAY, C.B.E., F.B.A., F.R.S.E., Economist. For services to Economics, to Finance and to Business.
***
John Murray
Sadly, the first news article in our new website is the announcement that Royal High Music legend Dr John Murray passed away at his home in Le Gouzot in France on Monday 19th April. The message distributed to the wider Royal High School Community read as follows:
“The Royal High School Club is sad to announce the death of Dr John Murray. John, who was aged 77, died suddenly at home on Monday 19th April in Le Gouzot, France. His funeral has already taken place.
John arrived at the Royal High in 1971 as Principal Teacher of Music after the death of Bill Bowie, becoming Assistant Rector in 1979, then Depute Rector in 1985, a position he held until his retirement in 2003. He was also Acting Rector in 1998. John will forever be associated with the School music trips, the first of which was to Florence in 1975, then many more to Italy and Munich. He also made a major contribution to School sports, especially rugby.
In 1997, his volume ‘A History of the Royal High School’ was published and remains the enduring hardback history of the Royal High School to this day.
We feel sure that given a relaxation in Covid restrictions, some form of celebration of John’s life will be held in due course, and the Royal High School Club will consider it a privilege to be part of it”.
**
Fortunately, we have some great recorded memories of John, including the 2018 Interview at Dynamic Earth, his speech at the RHS 2006 London Club dinner, and Shona Thomson’s 2003 article about his choir-conducting methods. Finally (for the moment) we have a few documents and photographs… There also a number of Tributes shown following the gallery.
**
Click any image in the gallery to enable a fullscreen slideshow
Tributes
The following are some of the memories of John which have been recorded in the past few days…
He was hugely influential in our formative years, certainly made me understand how much fun music could be. Polly Smith
“Gratefully remembering Uncle John, and thinking of Auntie Joan, Rachel & Ben — with much love from many FPs and KTs.” John changed so many lives. In amongst the sadness and the memories, I can’t help picturing him grinning at the funeral music: Brahms & Liszt… I’ll raise a glass to that, and him, this evening. Ken Thomson
He was a massive influence in the lives of all of us, and no doubt we can eventually figure out some suitable way of marking his passing. Probably involving some music, some eating and some drinking. Howard Duthie
He was a musical legend at Royal High. Irene Clouston
My time at the RHS was a magical transformation for which I owe John an eternal debt of gratitude. Although I do remember him saying, after I showed him some of my first attempts at composition, “why does anybody write that rubbish?” Fergus Currie
I have been thinking of all the memories – wonderfully fond memories as you say. I’ll keep on cherishing those. What a wonderful person he was. Janet McDonald
So sorry to hear this news. I wouldn’t have enjoyed High School and made as many friends without the Music Dept. John Murray was such a natural at getting us to engage in music and perform on stage. I have lots of happy memories of us all down at his mill house and on our music trips abroad. Eleanor Mitchell
John’s enthusiasm, expressed as ‘music is for everyone’ certainly was legendary especially when it came to the school trips to Munich and various parts of Italy. It was quite something to see and hear the ‘rugby boys’ singing the bass parts of Vivaldi’s Gloria and other various pieces we had learned for the tours with great gusto. June Nelson
John Murray and the music department at RHS were both inspirational and influential to many of us, with a legacy that has extended far beyond our school days. I have fond memories of the people and the journey that started with a common musical interest. We still talk about the trips to Munich and Florence although they almost seem to belong to a bygone age. I shall raise a glass to John in memory. Adrian Day
So many of my fondest memories of school included this guy! Singing Christmas carols, touring Tuscany, prize-giving. He left his mark – the epitome of an inspiring teacher. Beverley Hope
Very sad news indeed, he was there throughout my 6 years at the school. Michael Rutherford
An exceptional and inspiring colleague 1974-78, and a lifelong friend thereafter. Vivid memories of the first Florence trips, “The Mikado”, “Ruddigore” and much else. Rather less light and laughter in a world without John. Dave Thornton
Heartfelt sympathies to the family of Dr John Murray. His presence around the school was unrivalled, never too busy to come and watch the 1st XV. I will never forget the smile on his face when we beat Glasgow Academy in 2003. Niall Statham
I would like to add something to the condolences for Mr Murray. He passed away recently not remembering me and without any idea what fundamental influence his engagement in setting up the Munich & Edinburgh school choir friendship had on my life. My love for Scotland, my desire to live and work abroad, my understanding of what Europe can be at its best and in a way my personal development towards an independent human being have been kicked off by this man’s ideas and actions. I will never forget how curious, empowered and free I felt during my first choir visit to Edinburgh in 1992. I was 14 then. Goodbye, Mr Murray. What a great teacher you were. It was an honour to be shouted at by you for not paying attention to the magnificence of Mozart. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of this great man. Best regards from Munich. Claudia Urschbach (exchange student 1991-1995).
I am so sorry to hear this news. And my heart goes out to Dr Murray’s wife and children. We visited John and his wife a few years ago in France, when Gabriel was just a baby and we had such a lovely afternoon in their beautiful home. He will forever be an influence in my life – a guiding force and his love of music, rugby and good beer had an impact on all of us who went on the choir trips. He was firm but fair, a strong presence at RHS but once one got to know him, very funny, caring and kind. Rosie Kay
I arrived as a pupil at the school in Barnton at the same time as John Murray arrived in the music department. He was our form tutor and introduced himself along the lines of “I’m six foot one, I play rugby and I weigh sixteen stone so don’t mess me around.” We didn’t. I was one of those who travelled to Florence in 1975 and still remember eating pizza and then smuggling bottles of red wine back to the monastery we stayed in during our week there. We had a number of very talented young musicians in our group and I remember the local people enjoying the concerts we gave. RIP John. Mike Whittaker
****************************************************************
If you would like to add a tribute, please click here, and add your message. If you would like to contact Joan Murray personally, please advise us.
The Royal High School Club 
