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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTERNo. 62, August 2017Old Fettesian Association

Keep in Touch with The Old Fettesian Association

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 131 311 6741

Spending your school days at Fettes College is a memorable

experience. You know that learning, living and performing

together creates strong bonds and life-long friendships. Every

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Old Fettesian Association

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 62, AUGUST 2017 1

From the President 2

Message from the OF Office 3

Michael Spens – Headmaster Extraordinaire 4

Immense gratitude to Debbie Spens 7

A view from the Common Room 2017 9

Five minutes with Dr Jo Twist OBE (Ar 1986-1991) 10

Five minutes with Melissa Wilson (CE 2009-2011) 11

Focus on sport 12

Prize winners 2016/2017 16

Polar Academy – an exceptional Arctic expedition 17

Arniston at 50 18

Celebrating 60 years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 19

Centenary of Lt. Donald Mackintosh

being awarded the Victoria Cross 21

Old Fettesians taking us into the skies 23

Fettes Career Partnership Programme 25

2016 leavers: where are they now? 27

The Iain Macleod Award report 29

Old Fettesian Sporting Societies Review 2016-17 32

Commemoration Weekend 2016 34

Regional engagement 38

Fettesian succession 40

OF events 41

OF news 45

Sadly departed 50

OFA Office Bearers 2017 56

The Fettesian Trust 56

CONTENTS

12 17 23

2 OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 62, AUGUST 2017

Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967)

I have managed to survive two years as

President of the OFA! A great deal has

happened.

Firstly, we welcome Henry Gray into

the role of Old Fettesian Co-ordinator.

Thanks again to Graham Sanderson

for all his help in keeping things going

in this period of change. Henry has not

travelled very far to be with us as he

was at the Edinburgh Academy until

2009. Yes, a young man but with plenty

of energy and enthusiasm. Henry and

I are now working closely together to

get as many OF events as possible into

the diary. Over and above that, we

have two main targets in producing the

Old Fettesian Newsletter and later the

annual Commemoration Weekend on

the 6th, 7th and 8th of October.

There are changes ahead for the

school with Michael Spens retiring after

19 years. We have been very fortunate

to have had Michael Spens and his

wife Debbie in charge for so long. The

school has prospered in a number of

ways. The facilities are excellent, sport

is still to the fore and academic results

are first class. This is all evidenced by

the fact Fettes College was selected as

the Public School of the Year in Tatler

Magazine. Yes, Fettes is a great school.

The teaching staff and all the others

involved in sport, catering, finance and

health have so much to be thanked for.

I carried the principle of being involved

in a team though my life and that was

thanks to Fettes. A team player is hard

to beat as ‘together everybody achieves

more’.

I retire now as President of the OFA

and hand over to Amanda Forsyth.

I am sure Amanda, being much younger

than me, will have more energy and

I look forward to her time in charge.

Thanks to you all for your support

during my time on the OF committee.

It was not quite as good as being at the

school but it has been great fun.

Floreas Fettesia (forever)

Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984)

I am very excited to be taking on

the Presidency of the Old Fettesian

Association at such a pivotal moment

in the School’s history. As well as seeing

the transition from Michael Spens’

hugely successful years as Headmaster

to the new horizons offered by Geoffrey

Stanford, we are now accelerating

towards the College’s 150th anniversary

year in 2020. Andrew Pickles’ energy

and enthusiasm in the past two years

has given us an enviable momentum

in goodwill among the OF community

for the work we are doing, and I offer

Andrew my heartfelt thanks for the time

and effort he has expended on behalf

of Old Fettesians worldwide.

My own time at Fettes was

characterised by a realisation of the

enormous breadth of opportunities

that were available to be grasped;

whether in the classroom, the music

rooms or the chapel; on the playing

fields or simply in the common room

with other Arnistonians, the panoply

of potential was breathtaking. The

OFA has done much to build on that

potential for all of us, and as we move

on to the next exciting chapter in the

school’s history, I believe there is yet

more that can be achieved.

Looking to the next few years, your

Committee will be working harder than

ever to help OFs capitalise on the links

they have made and the skills they

have acquired within the walls of this

beautiful place; to understand what it

means to be an Old Fettesian, and quite

what a jewel we have each been given

to treasure. Above all, we will be doing

our level best to help as many OFs as

possible have as much fun as they can!

Floreas Fettesia

FROM THE PRESIDENT


Mox abimus iuvenes, Redituri fors senes,

Tui tamen memores, Nobilis Fettesia.

Floreas, Fettesia!

The fifth verse of Floreas Fettesia

suggests that Fettesians leave Fettes

College too young, that there is still

more to do, more to see and certainly

more to learn within these walls, but

that they will hopefully return in the

future, holding fast to those most

precious and formative of memories

all the while. As wistfully bittersweet

as the verse may be, it speaks of a

feeling that is the very foundation of

The Old Fettesian Association (OFA)

and the success it has found in the 96

years since its inception. The centenary

looms not far in the distance, but not

as close as the 150th anniversary of the

College itself in 2020.

As gears turn ever faster in the run

up to this tremendous anniversary, we

remain conscious of the here-and-now.

The Summer Term past was the last for

the Spens, and both the Headmaster

and his wife Debbie attended a huge

number of OFA events both near and

far. A whole host of ‘Spens Years’ Old

Fettesians from their era attended

these, many for the very first time,

to express their gratitude and say

their goodbyes. I am sure readers will

concur when I say we look forward to

extending the Spens a warm welcome

at future OF events.

Despite the prerequisite reflection

that occurs during any departure, the

OFA must always look forward. We

look forward to welcoming Geoffrey

Stanford as Headmaster. We look

forward to witnessing the benefits of

increased connectivity, both social

and professional, between OFs and

current students. We look forward to

a Commemoration Weekend that also

celebrates 50 years since the inception

of Arniston House. However, it is not

just big, one-off occasions we have on

our minds. The OFA is as much about

helping a young fledgling find their

feet in the wider world as it is about

the gatherings of friends, old and new,

together, keeping that inimitable Fettes

bond tight and flourishing.

Within this Newsletter, you will find

the Commemoration Weekend booking

form. Certain to be one to remember,

places for events across the weekend of

October 6th went on sale online earlier

this year. Do let me know if you plan to

attend as soon as you can, as places are

limited.

In my short time working with OFs

thus far, I have met more incredible

alumni than I can reel off in one sitting.

I look forward to meeting countless

more of you in the coming months,

whether at future events or when you

pop in to the College to have another

stroll through Fettes’ hallowed halls.

Henry Gray

Old Fettesian Co-ordinator

Fettes College

EH4 1QX

Tel: 0131 311 6741

Email: [email protected]

www.facebook.com/fettescommunity

www.fettescommunity.com

MESSAGE FROM THE OF OFFICE By Henry Gray, OF Co-ordinator


It is difficult to fill Headmaster posts

these days – and no wonder. To be

Head of any school is a phenomenally

demanding task, requiring a daunting

range of skills, talents and knowledge;

to be Head of a top boarding school

like Fettes is a challenge that few would

even contemplate undertaking and

even fewer could turn into a resounding

success.

Malcolm Thyne, through fierce

determination and force of personality,

supported by dedicated governors and

staff, restored Fettes’ reputation and

academic standards; when he decided

to retire, the search was on for a leader

who could build upon his achievement

and make Fettes one of the leading

schools in the UK.

In 1998 we who worked at Fettes

watched in trepidation as the short

list candidates and their wives (sexist,

but the case) were shown around the

campus. One of these men would be

our new Headmaster, and our jobs and

the future of the College would hang

upon his ability. Enter Michael Spens, his

wife and young family. Nineteen years

later, the success of his tenure is evident

in every aspect of the College and

Fettes richly deserves its outstanding

reputation in the UK and abroad.

I must, before I begin to write

about Michael, pay tribute to Debbie

and their children. They contributed

greatly to Michael’s success, both by

their own individual academic, artistic,

sporting and personal achievements

and involvement in the life of Fettes,

but also by their acceptance of the fact

that he would give so much of himself

to Fettes.

Over ten years of working closely

with Michael, first as Assistant Head and

then seven years as his Deputy, I learned

a great deal from him – and watched at

close quarters as he shaped and led the

school. My eight years as a Governor of

Fettes only added to my appreciation of

his skills. The qualities and attributes of

leadership are myriad and often subtle:

I have chosen to write about what I

believe are some of the most important

elements of Michael’s success. I am

sure that others who have worked with

him will identify different strengths,

but I hope that they will recognise the

aspects of his leadership that I have

observed and valued.

The quality that overwhelmingly

comes to mind when I think of Michael

as a Headmaster is energy. Yes, he

has run marathons and led the way in

the annual School charity runs and is

known for being at Westwoods waiting

for the staff to open the building

at 6.30am, but I mean something

more important and impressive than

‘fitness’. Through long days and weeks

and terms, he managed to approach

each successive task with full focus,

attention and commitment. In my

office the phone would often ring at

7.20am or so, and he would briskly ask

if I could spare a moment to discuss

a problem or an idea. He was already

fully engaged – and would continue

to be – through Chapel, phone calls,

interviews of prospective parents and

pupils, meetings (endless meetings…),

teaching a class, watching matches,

holding a tricky disciplinary interview,

showing up to watch a bit of a play

rehearsal and generally being engaged

with every aspect of life on campus.

More often than not the ‘day’ extended

well into the evening, yet there he

would be, fresh and full of warmth and

enthusiasm as he greeted prefects, or

parents, or governors for pre-dinner

drinks or met guests at a play or

concert. Days at Fettes are full ones,

and weeks are every bit of seven days

long. I am sure that he DID flag on

occasion – but it very seldom showed.

Following naturally from this energy

and full engagement is his remarkable

knowledge of all of the members of the

Fettes community. Most of us wish that

we were better with names – Michael is

a master. But he not only knows every

pupil’s name, he knows far more – the

difficult time one has had adjusting

to his Senior House, the ambitions of

a talented sportswoman, the family

conflicts of another. This thorough

knowledge extends to staff, OFs,

parents past and present, Governors

and the wider educational world and is

hugely impressive and powerful.

Michael takes great interest and

pride in the achievements of all

Fettesians – and in the early days that

led to some complications. He rightly

sees the selection of Prefects as a

very important matter which justifies

a long and meticulous process of

Housemasters’ and Housemistress’

nominations, whole school voting and

careful interviews by himself and his

Deputy, which takes two full evenings.

The interviews are an opportunity to

‘take the pulse’ of the school. Questions

such as ‘If you could change one

important aspect of life at Fettes, what

would it be?’ and ‘What has been your

most disappointing experience at

Fettes?’ have elicited invaluable insights.

The quality of our pupils is impressive,

and it can make selection of a body

of Prefects difficult. In his first year

Michael chose 25 – out of a year group

of just over 100. It was a disaster – and a

mistake he didn’t repeat!

I have some reservations about the

term ‘vision’. Vision alone – identifying a

MICHAEL SPENS – HEADMASTER EXTRAORDINAIREBy Judy Campbell (Staff 1995-2007; Housemistress Arniston 1995-1998; Deputy Head 1999-2007)

The quality that overwhelmingly comes to

mind when I think of Michael as a Headmaster is energy


noble goal or aspiration – is a relatively

easy thing to have. But to work toward

that goal – to develop the idea, consult

and refine it and push forward to

achieve it in its best possible iteration

with the agreement and commitment of

those with whom you are working – that

is an admirable ability, an ability that

Michael has demonstrated again and

again. The creation of Westwoods, the

refurbishment of the boarding houses,

the introduction of IB, the building of

Craigleith House and the attendant

changes to the structure of the Houses,

the creation of a fourth girls’ House,

Dalmeny, the McMurray Pitch, and

finally the brilliant new Spens building –

along with other projects and proposed

projects – this is an amazing record

of achievement by the Governors,

Senior Management Team, staff and

supporters of the College – and of the

Headmaster. Each project has added to

the excellence of the education offered

by Fettes. Michael did not simply

have a vision for the school – he had a

determined, unrelenting commitment

to the evolving development of today’s

outstanding Fettes College.

Nineteen years of leadership of

any organisation will, inevitably, have

difficult times that demand resilience

and resolve. A community as large

and complex as ours will face conflict,

human error, malice and heartbreaking

loss. In times of trouble it takes comfort

from a strong sense of identity and

mutual support. Through many testing

times Michael, supported by Chaplains,

Housemasters and Housemistresses

and staff, has led the school in

responding to difficult times with grace,

positivity and hope.

Michael has many other qualities

of leadership of course: (often cheeky)

humour, commitment to hiring and

supporting the best possible staff,

and compassion to name but a few.

Fettes has been immensely fortunate to

have Michael Spens as its Headmaster.

He leaves as his legacy a superb school

that enjoys the fierce pride and loyalty

of Fettesians around the world.


IMMENSE GRATITUDE TO DEBBIE SPENS

In 1998 Debbie Spens came to Fettes

with three very young children. She

made Fettes their home and quickly

balanced family life and Fettes

commitments seamlessly, rapidly

becoming part of the soul of Fettes.

Debbie has made countless personal

contributions to life at Fettes over the

last 19 years. She is caring, insightful,

energetic, enthusiastic and she has the

gift of all gifts a natural intuition to know

what is right.

We asked several members of staff

from key areas of the College to show

their gratitude to Debbie on behalf

of all the Fettesians who have passed

through these doors over the last 19

years.

Contribution to Sport by Steve Bates

(Director of Sport 2011-2017)

It is very difficult to do full justice to

Debbie’s contribution to sport at Fettes

College in so few words, such has been

the energy, enthusiasm and expertise

she has brought to this essential aspect

of the school. The understanding of

how important sport is at all levels

to the well-being of the pupils has

underpinned Debbie’s involvement,

both as a coach and as an ever-present

spectator. A contribution that all pupils

hugely valued and appreciated.

In more specific terms, Debbie has

been the driving force behind netball

and enjoyed great success with the club

at all levels. The girls have loved the

opportunities to play competitively in

Scotland but have also had the privilege

of touring to other countries, a result of

Debbie’s determination to provide the

best possible experience for the teams.

Debbie has also made an outstanding

contribution to tennis and promoted

that with equal enthusiasm and spirit.

In a world where coaching has

become more and more sophisticated

and complex, Debbie has managed

to brilliantly

maintain a sense

of enjoyment and

fun in all of her

coaching. She

has the innate

and wonderful

ability to create

an environment

where the girls

have thrived and

created special

memories,

whilst caring

deeply about

each individual.

(Everyone also knows that she makes

great cakes!).

Contribution to Careers by Tony

Reeves (Staff 1983-2017)

Working with Debbie in Careers has

been a real inspiration. She has such

intuition regarding the age and stage of

pupils always making careers lessons

interesting and relevant.

Fettes College Careers Days were

hers pure and simple. She blended a

potent passionate conviction about

the real purpose, with the deep

understanding of the pupils and

parents that this day is for. She added

her unique perspective, the one that

comes from living here amongst the

pupils, showing a deep understanding

of their true lives in so many areas. She

added to this a rigour over detail that

went right through to the last departure

of the day.

Debbie has so many ideas fizzing

about that has meant each Careers Day

has been quite different.

All of this has then transferred to

a range of career events ‘Lifting the

Lid’ on key industry areas and the

inception of the brilliant Fettes Careers

Partnership programme, harnessing

the combined power of the Fettes

Community to support each other

in pursuit of careers. Lots of blue-sky

thinking, heaps of practical detail and

the readiness to host so many events

in The Lodge, along with travelling the

country and indeed the world to get

initiatives embedded. We have been so

lucky to have Debbie amongst us for

the last 19 years, it’s been a joy to work

with her.

Contribution to PSE (Personal and

Social Education) by Sue Bruce, Head

of PSE and Housemistress of College

West (Staff 2000-Present)

Debbie is a lady with many talents. She

has particularly shone in the field of PSE.

With her mindfulness skill set as well as

her ability to turn her hand to any topic

to be covered. She has been invaluable

to the PSE department. There have

been constant laughs as we have talked

about STI’s, Gaming, Porn, Drugs and

other hard hitting topics. She has such

a natural ease with our pupils to get the

debates and discussions flowing whilst

illuminating the key messages in each

session with appropriate sensitivity. She

is a much-loved teacher, colleague and

friend to us all with her warm, caring,

fun and ever positive personality.


Contribution to Dalmeny House by the members

of the House and the Housemistress Dr Kate Fairbairn

(Staff 2006-Present)

In Dalmeny House all leavers are gifted a poem. What better

way for the House to say farewell to their wonderful tutor

and friend Mrs Spens. Each verse was written by the girls from

different year groups, starting with the Third Form. You can

see the impact that she has made.

Mrs Spens

Though we have only been here for some time

We want to thank you and make this rhyme

We appreciate your kindness more than words can say

The spaghetti dish you cooked us made our day

Your reputation will proceed in many more cakes

And we all think there’s nothing you can’t bake

We thank you for your acts of kindness which we will never forget

You’re one of the nicest people we have ever met

Mrs Spens, you have spared no expense on court

Netball and tennis are just two of your sports

Driving, pivoting, dodging fun

We will all miss your coaching a hell of a ton

Coaching the firsts will not be the same

Without all the passion you have every game

Seeing you play tennis on our way to lessons

Makes us surprised that’s not your profession

Long distance running and a dip in the sea

You have many sporting talents we all do agree

You and Mrs Bruce are quite a pair

When teaching the class how to make the world fair

You’ve helped us with stress and coping under pressure

And because of your mindfulness, our souls feel fresher

You educated us on contraception

Because of you we’ll never get a sexual infection

We will miss you dearly in all our lessons

So we’ll never forget your great PSE sessions

A Dalmeny poem is known for its tales

And whilst we’ve heard rumours, we’re not sure of details

But by us you’ll be remembered for all the funny things

Like Podge and Jackson chewing our swing ball strings

Perhaps one night that’s worth some discussion

Is the time you dealt with that memorable concussion

Evening chats when you checked each dorm

Often resulted in late nights being the norm

It’s come to the end of a great 19 years

You will leave us in sadness and probably tears

Fettes had been your home, and you’ve done a great job

But on Founder’s Day, Dalmeny will sob

You’ll be remembered for your laughter smiles and cheer

And therefore, you will always be missed here

A kind hearted and warm tutor you’ve been

To the girls in Dalmeny, you’ll always be seen

As approachable, chatty, bubbly and more

And that’s why when you leave, Dalmeny will be sore

You’re such a part of everyone’s life

Teacher, tutor, mum and wife

We wish you success and good luck next year

Fettes will miss you and all your good cheer.

On behalf of all Old Fettesians we would like to thank Debbie

for all that she has given to Fettes and all that she has made

possible. For the many who have had the opportunity to get

to know ‘Mrs S’ please join us in wishing her the very very best

for the future.


For a year in so many ways momentous

in the recent history of the school, it

has been a curiously gentle one in the

Common Room with perhaps less

upheaval and significant change than

in any of the last four or five we can

remember. There’s been no major

new building to adapt to, no massive

exodus from classrooms or embracing

of radical new pastoral or academic

initiatives. The school has never seemed

to stand still in all my years of working

in it yet it has been an occasion to look

about us, to conclude that The Tatler

must indeed know what it’s on about,

to consolidate what we do best, to

tweak what we could improve and

to take the chance to reflect on the

legacy of Michael and Debbie Spens

as their nineteen year tenure running

the College draws to its conclusion.

Judy Campbell has in the preceding

pages been so eloquent on many of

that couple’s impact on the life of the

school and the year will be marked by

a good many glowing eulogies but the

view from the Common Room might be

a subtly different thing. The occasion

shouldn’t pass without our marking our

gratitude and appreciation for what

they have done for Fettes during their

time here.

Debbie has, of course, been a

tremendous colleague and ally in the

Common Room. Sending her own

children through the school has given

her a unique perspective on what we

offer and what we ought to offer: one

of her most notable characteristics

has been her readiness to see a job

that needs doing, to train herself up

and to get on with delivering it. It was

there in her willingness to help with the

running of careers, in her championing

of netball as a girls’ sport worth

developing, in her involvement in the

radical growth of PSE provision over the

last two years in the College. She has

a no-nonsense attitude which doesn’t

admit impediments and which always

has at its heart the needs of the pupils,

to so many of whom she has become

so attached over the years, the aspect

of the job she will perhaps miss most in

the future.

The Headmaster as a boss has been

an ever-driving force which has taken

Fettes to the pre-eminent position

its reputation now enjoys nationally.

A glance at this article over the last

few years reminds one that things are

always changing and moving on at

Fettes, change he has driven boldly and

innovatively from the year of his arrival.

Several key decisions have shaped the

College’s future but they needed a bit of

guts to contemplate: the jettisoning of

Highers in favour of the more testing IB;

the building of a sports centre shared

and significantly financed by private

membership; indeed, improving the

fabric of facilities which had remained

largely unaltered for decades; the

needed increase in pupil numbers

being ingeniously achieved by the

building of Craigleith, requiring a major

philosophical shift in the way we think

about provision for our most senior

pupils; and a large number of initiatives

which place the pursuit of academic

excellence at the heart of what the

School offers. The Headmaster’s

restlessness and desire to innovate

has ensured we have never stood still.

He has always expected the highest

standards from his staff yet has been a

sensitive and understanding boss when

that has been required. Occasionally

one hears from colleagues in other

schools of the paralysing effects of

indecisiveness at the top, a charge

which could never be levelled here!

To borrow a phrase of the moment,

Fettes has indeed been fortunate to

have enjoyed so many years of strong

and stable leadership and gratitude for

it will be felt long after the Spens have

left The Lodge. Old Fettesians who go

back further than the Spens may also be

interested to hear that our long-serving

one-man History of Art department

and the Common Room’s go-to cultural

and intellectual touchstone, Ralph

Hughes, also hits retirement after 32

years’ service. Much will be changed

in the College by this time next year

but we nonetheless now look with

excitement and anticipation to the next

chapter in the history of this unique and

remarkable workplace. Floreas Fettesia.

A VIEW FROM THE COMMON ROOM 2017By Rob Harrison, President of the Common Room (Staff 1991-Present)

The Headmaster as a boss has been an ever-driving

force which has taken Fettes to the pre-eminent position

its reputation now enjoys nationally


Dr Jo Twist OBE (Ar 1986-1991) has

been CEO of Ukie (UK Interactive

Entertainment) since 2012. Previously

she was Channel 4’s Commissioning

Editor for Education, where she

commissioned Digital Emmy-winning

Battlefront II, free to play browser and

iOS games, and social media projects.

She is a London Tech Ambassador, a

VP of Special Effect, and am on various

boards and advisory groups, including

the BAFTA Games Committee.

In January you collected your OBE,

announced initially last year during The

Queen's birthday honours list. Do tell us

about how it felt receiving this prestigious

award.

At first, I thought it was the tax office

sending me some sort of letter. Then

I thought this must be a joke. After I had

re-read it several times, I was obviously

absolutely honoured. I did wonder

“why me?” but I very quickly decided

that if others thought I deserved this

I should respect their opinion, and of

course, accept. At school, I won prizes,

so I had been used to getting medals

for those achievements, not for what is

my job – my life. I still have my school

medals proudly displayed in my living

room. They are a constant reminder of

the opportunities I was given at Fettes

and how fortunate I am to have had

that privilege.

Your career has gone from strength

to strength. You started in journalism

for the BBC, and are now CEO of UK

Interactive Entertainment. What do you

think has been the key to your success?

I have been very lucky to be in the

right place, at the right time, with the

right measure of curiosity and need to

question everything throughout my

journey so far. My need to question and

sometimes challenge things came from

my time at Fettes. I was known as "that

feminist" because

I called for equal

treatment in all

aspects of Fettes

life – for boys

and girls. All I

was doing was

stating facts and

offering reasoned

arguments. The

key is to keep

questioning,

practice

resilience, learn

perseverance

(playing games

makes you good at that), keep learning

about people, have a strong sense of

empathy, and always have integrity.

The global games market is expected

to continue its growth, and the UK in

particular is an exciting market, having

produced some incredible successes

in recent years. Where do you see the

future of interactive entertainment going,

and does the UK have a part to play in

this progression?

The games industry is faster growing

globally than any other media.

Edinburgh is home to what is still the

fastest selling entertainment product

of all time. Grand Theft Auto V still tops

the charts four years later and has sold

over 80m units worldwide since release.

VR, AR, and eSports (competitive

gaming) are huge areas globally and in

the UK we have a massive strength. I, in

fact, see Nick Ferguson (Ki 1989-1995)

regularly as he is doing great things in

the games industry too!

Speaking of progression, or more

accurately the lack thereof, did the likes

of ‘Gamergate’ in 2014 cast a shadow

over any part of your work at UKIE? It

seemed to reveal a real dark underbelly

to a portion of the consumers of games,

exposing fundamental issues some

gamers had with women's presence and

voice in the industry.

The best reaction to what happened

to certain high profile women in

the industry during Gamergate is to

continue to encourage more women

and diverse creators into the industry,

and celebrate the different kinds of

games that diversity produces. Games

are a grown up medium, and part of

that means allowing people to be self-

reflexive about our art, and Gamergate

hasn't stopped brilliant women

excelling and making fantastic content

because of a small angry group.

You were Head of Arniston house whilst

at Fettes – what memories do you have of

your time there?

I remember finding the secret

passageway behind the prep room

lockers. It was like stepping into a bit of

history. It was a closely guarded secret,

covered in scrawls from past pupils.

FIVE MINUTES WITH DR JO TWIST OBE (Ar 1986-1991)By Henry Gray, Old Fettesian Co-ordinator


After leaving Fettes, Melissa Wilson

(CE 2009-2011) recently achieved

a First Class degree in English from

Cambridge. Whilst there, she took her

interest in rowing far, rowing as part of

the Blue squad in the historic 2015 boat

race, racing on the same course as the

men for the first time. With accolades

aplenty to her name, Melissa has an eye

firmly on Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo

Olympics.

Earlier this year you broke records and

gave Cambridge its first win in five years

(and only its second in ten) as part of the

Cambridge crew in the Women’s race

at The Cancer Research UK Boat Races –

how did that feel?

It was a very vivid experience, but also

quite surreal. I had been in the losing

crew for three of the previous four

years, and to be able to look at our cox

and feel my teammates behind me as

we raced the course to win was the

most amazing feeling.

You attained a First Class in English from

Cambridge. You must have found the sweet

spot in the university work/sports training

balance – how hard was this for you?

The years of my English degree

definitely involved a lot of learning

about balance. I remember after my

first Boat Race, sitting with my coach

and explaining that I thought

I wanted to stop rowing and return to

focusing on my degree (which, most

of the time, I loved!). However, he

was great at encouraging me to keep

going with both, saying that it offered

some perspective to have two things

that you’re committed to rather than

one. In sport, work or life there are

always going to be tough times – bad

supervisions, disappointing racing

performances and other challenges

– having several things I care about

means that it's more likely that a part

of my life will be going well enough

in those tough times to pull the rest

through with it!

You’ve said in the past you didn’t feel

particularly sporty whilst at school –

were you rowing before you arrived at

Cambridge? If not, what gave you the

impetus to start?

Sport was the area of Fettes life that I

clicked with least – which, in hindsight,

I really regret! Having said that, the

Fettes charity runs had a big impact

on me. I remember the Prefect team

decided to run the half marathon (I

will have been the most reluctant

member of that decision!), and I trained

with two lanky friends for a couple of

months beforehand. I’m pretty sure my

Housemistress was faster than me (!)

but I loved it, and continued running

through exam term. I still have such

clear memories of seeing the sunrises

over the sports fields, or getting up

round Arthur’s Seat at dusk. That

meant I had some base fitness when

I started at university after the summer,

and rowing was always something I’d

wanted to have a go at.

Were there lessons that you learned from

your time at Fettes that helped you get

where you are today?

I loved school for encouraging me to

stay busy – my memories of Fettes

are of days that started with a quick

breakfast and choir rehearsals, then

ran through until 10pm or so with more

rehearsals, debates, talks, drawing and

other bits and pieces thrown in. That

definitely helped me in balancing my

degree and the rowing. I was also so

fortunate with the teachers I had –

I can’t imagine having found another

half-dozen individuals who had so

much insight and gave so much

encouragement. That had a lasting

impact on me through my degree,

increasing my confidence so that in the

tougher times I had faith it would work

out.

What is the next step for you?

The day my exams finish I’ll be heading

through to Reading to train with the GB

Team. The World Championships are

in Florida this year, and actually only

end the day before my lectures start

in October, so it will be a long sunny

summer of training and racing. Then

I have a year left of being based in

Cambridge to finish my law degree.

FIVE MINUTES WITH MELISSA WILSON (CE 2009-2011)By Henry Gray, Old Fettesian Co-ordinator


We approached a number of Old

Fettesians who work in sport and asked

them to tell us a little about their career.

Flora Stewart (Inv, Ar 2000-2010),

Athlete in the British Sailing Team

I am an athlete in the British Sailing

Team. I became a full time member of

the team after I graduated from the

University of Bath four years ago with a

BSc(Hons) in Sports Performance. I sail

in a double-handed dinghy, the 470.

I work everyday with my sailing

partner to move towards our goal of

representing Great Britain at the Tokyo

2020 Olympic Games. As part of the

British Sailing Team we have an excellent

support team that we work closely with,

from race training, tactics, meteorology,

psychology and physiotherapy to help

overcome injuries.

The thing I love most about my job

is that I get to do what I love everyday.

You can’t really ask for more than that.

I get to push myself to the physical and

mental limits. I get to travel the world

seeing some amazing places. This

year (normally the quiet year after the

Olympics) I will spend just under 200

days training and competing abroad.

Working in elite sport is amazing as

everyone is pushing the limits and it’s an

environment I thrive off.

My ten years at Fettes has set

me up very well to succeed in elite

sport. I learnt important skills of

communication, time management

and also being focused and driven to

achieve success. After I worked out how

to balance missing Saturday school

with sailing every weekend, University

seemed significantly easier.

My advice for people who want

to work in Sport is “Just Do It”.

Unfortunately I am not sponsored by

Nike, but I believe they have a fantastic

motto. In Sport and in life if you want

something, just go get it. It’s a tough

environment working in sport where

expectations are high but it is also very

fulfilling.

An Olympic Campaign is very

expensive and we are always looking

for support. I would be delighted

to hear from anyone considering

corporate or personal sponsorship

[email protected].

Melvin Byres (Inv, Gl 1997-2004),

Director, MSB Concepts

In October 2016, after six years in the

industry I took a leap to setup my own

sports event consultancy. My main

client is the Volvo Ocean Race who

have tasked my business with running

the Hong Kong Stopover, the round the

world yacht race coming to Hong Kong

in January 2018. The other main projects

I have at the moment include various

services for my former employer the

Hong Kong Rugby Union in relation to

the Hong Kong Sevens and the Hong

Kong Rugby Union Strategic Plan.

On the side, I founded the Business

Of Sport Network, a networking club

for those working in the sport industry

in Asia, with 1000+ members across

branches in Singapore and Hong Kong

with other cities to follow.

The great thing about working

in the sports industry is working in a

field where everyone involved is so

passionate about what they’re doing,

from the athletes to the spectators, and

the 1000s of people working behind the

scenes. Being involved in making the

events happen and tens of thousands

FOCUS ON SPORT

Flora Stewart Melvin Byres


of people enjoying themselves is very

rewarding; it’s good to know you’re

doing something people care about.

Most of the soft skills I use in my daily

work were honed at Fettes. Everything

from sales to problem solving and

communication to leadership were all

skills which were honed at Fettes, both

in and outside the classroom doing

things like playing sport and the Duke of

Edinburgh Award.

The key thing is to get some

experience in the industry, even if it’s

not doing exactly what you want to be

doing long-term. The skillsets you learn

and connections you make have the

potential to be great stepping stones for

making the leap into your dream job at

some stage; if you make the most of the

opportunity. Remember that most large

sports events need a lot of extra helpers

during the event itself; that route can

be a great way into getting involved in

the industry; my years of volunteering

at the Hong Kong Sevens (which started

out when I was in Upper Sixth at Fettes)

no doubt contributed to me getting a

senior job there years later.

Colin Mayo (JS,Gl 1983-1991),

Founder and Owner Bramble Ski

As well as playing most sports at

Fettes, I started skiing while I was there

and often joined the Sunday trips to

Glenshee, with many wet and windy

days to remember! After leaving school

I quickly developed a passion for this

over and above any other sports, so

after a short career in engineering and

with a desire to live in the mountains

and have my own business, I started

Bramble Ski with a couple of university

friends. We are a luxury chalet company

providing a bespoke service which

includes private ski instructors as a core

part of the chalet team so that there is a

heavy emphasis on the skiing, as well as

the food and the property.

We have based ourselves from

Verbier, Switzerland, and now operate

close to 100 properties across five

resorts in three countries. We live year

round in the mountains and are able

to enjoy their incredible diversity and

opportunity!

To find out more about Bramble Ski

visit brambleski.com

Jake Wightman (Gl 2008-20012),

Athlete

I’m a professional athlete competing

over 1500m. I’ve competed at the

Commonwealth Games and European

Championships, and I have just won a

Diamond League race in Oslo (the first

European man to do so).

My sport allows me to travel around

the world competing and training,

which enables me to see many places

I wouldn’t have had a chance to

otherwise.

I got a great start in athletics

at Fettes due to the opportunities

provided by the P.E. department, and

the care they put into my development.

If you would like to work in Sport,

my advice would be to be patient as it

won’t always go to plan. In the end all

the hard work will be rewarded.

Chris Giffin (Inv, Mo 2002-2010),

Account Manager at CSM Sport and

Entertainment

I am currently an Account Manager at

CSM Sport and Entertainment, a global

sports agency, working predominantly

on HSBC’s sponsorship of the Hong

Jake Wightman Chris Giffin


Kong Sevens and Hong Kong National

Rugby teams. My role is focused

largely around brand activation and

consultancy within this space alongside

new business support for the wider

CSM team.

The ability to travel the world and

work on some of the world’s greatest

sporting events has offered some

unforgettable experiences whilst

exposing me to new and exciting

challenges. I have also been extremely

fortunate to meet and work alongside a

number of the very best names in sport

which always keeps the job interesting.

The world of sport is very much

about relationship building and

remaining astute to new opportunities

or ideas within such a fast paced

industry. The interpersonal skills that

I developed during my time at Fettes

have undoubtedly helped in this regard

during the early stages of my career.

My advice to those wanting to

work in the Sports industry is that

persistence is key. The sports industry is

relatively small when compared to the

likes of finance or other global lines of

business and therefore opportunities

can often seem few and far between

when seeking employment for the first

time. Prospective employers within the

industry want to see more than just a

passion for sport but hard evidence of

exactly why you are the perfect fit for

a given role. Think about how you can

mark yourself out as different and

use this as your number one selling

point.

George Biagi (Gl 1999-2004),

professional Rugby player in Italy

Since 2013 I have played for the

Guinness Pro12 side Zebre who are

based in Parma, in the north west of

Italy. For the past two seasons I have

been captain in the European Challenge

and Champions Cup. In 2014 I won my

first Cap for Italy and so far have gone

on to collect 19 honours.

Like every pro athlete we are

incredibly fortunate, although just for a

shot spell, to do a job we love. Probably

the best aspects for me are: that you get

to travel the world, have lots of family

time and great changing room banter!

Although adhering to the rules

whilst at Fettes may have seemed liked

a burden at the time, (you can ask Mr

Spens about it…), it has been something

that both on and off the rugby field

has been fundamental. If you ask any

athlete, work ethos and self-discipline

are the keys to success. These days

talent alone isn’t enough.

If there is one thing Fettes teaches

you, it is to balance sport and study.

I have completed a bachelor’s degree

in international economics and

management and I am looking to start

an MBA in the next year. Unfortunately

you can’t play rugby for ever, so I am

getting ready for the transition into the

business world.

In our call for news for the Old Fettesian

Newsletter we asked for your sporting

memories. Here are a selection of

recollections.

Sports-Related Memories

Rory Macleod (Mo 1978-1983)

Sports Day holds a particularly fond

place in my memories of Fettes. On the

same occasion in 1983, as Captain of

Athletics, I was in a quandary. Heavy

rain had flooded the track, which is

where the new houses (Fettes Village)

now stand. Being Head of School

as well, gave me the opportunity to

mobilise everybody to assemble at the

track with welly boots in hand, in order

to bale it out – which we did and Sports

Day proceeded, albeit without the

weather for picnicking!

Richard Clark (Ki 1989-1994)

I am steadfastly re-immersing myself

into the Scottish Athletics track & field

scene and I was amused to see a chap

running last night wearing his Fettes

singlet. Obviously they look a lot more

modern these days than they did in

mine but there was no mistaking the

insignia.

Running from lane 6, George

Conner thrashed the opposition in his

race to win by 3.38s and would never

have seen another runner due to the

stagger. I ran in the next race also in lane

6. My time was 9.36 seconds slower

than my PB set in 1994 of 52.64s but

I will take it. I chatted briefly to George

afterwards and I imagine he was

surprised to meet another Fettesian at

the Open meeting in Livingston.

I actually bump into OFs and

teachers all the time and live in

Comely Bank but this would be the

last place I would expect to meet

anyone connected to Fettes. Having

discovered he is in Glencorse (I was in

Kimmerghame) George mentioned he

is hoping to break the school record

which in my day was held by Simon

Castle with 51.3s set in 1992. I am sure

it’s probably moved on massively since

those days but he’s clearly well on his

way to running fast times this summer

(Editor’s note – the Simon Castle

record from 1992 still stands at 51.3s,

however with George Conner winning

the Scottish Schools 400m with a PB of

49.4s, the record may well be broken at

Sports Day on 30th June 2017)

George Biagi


Ian Weatherhead (Gl 1946-1950)

In response to your recent call for

memories of sporting achievements,

I am prompted to send you a ‘tongue-

in-cheek’ athletics record of 1950.

While at Fettes I became obsessed

with the ‘pole vault’. It was an unknown

event for Fettes at that time, and I must

have persuaded the powers-that-be

to provide a pole or two. I remember

spending many happy hours down

the track and sometimes up and over

the bar at what seemed like dizzy

heights! I was blissfully unaware that it

was essential to be both sprinter and

gymnast to be in any way a successful

pole vaulter. Come sports day the

event, for some unknown reason was

included and I walked off with the first

cup awarded and the school record at

the enormous height of 8' – 10½".

Alastair Reid (Mo 1970-1975)

I learnt how to play hockey whilst at

Fettes (and later played in the 100th

anniversary game of Scottish hockey

played on grass at Fettes, complete with

long shorts and original sticks). I still

play hockey once a week and so clearly

was well set up at Fettes! My best friend,

Tom Davidson (Mo 1970-1975), who

sadly died very young, was a record

holder at 1500m. The Sports Day trophy

still bears his name for this distance.

Sinclair Robertson (Gl 1978-1986)

Sinclair sent us two videos of Sports

Day in 1986. One of him breaking the

High Jump record at 1.93m and a second

of the general ambience of the day

taken by his sister. To see them, search

‘Sinclair Robertson’ on YouTube.

Fettes College Sporting Representatives.

Back Row: Harry S Paterson, Ben M

Macleod, Jack Paterson, David C Hood,

George G Conner; Middle Row: Catherine

R Edwards, Brodie H Nicol, Ralph D

Weissen, Samuel P R Pooley, Samuel

Weissen, Robert A Edwards; Front Row:

Catriona L V Sutton, Rosie L Usher, Meg E

Harley, Alice M Younger, Cora A Simmons,

Abigail M C Wallace, M Elena Cariaga.

Our current pupils are performing well

at District and National levels.

Hockey

− Sam Weissen – Scotland and East

U18 Hockey

− Ralph Weissen – Scotland and East

U16 Hockey, Edinburgh Regional U16

Rugby Academy

− Brodie Nichol – East U14 Hockey

Rugby

− Ralph Weissen – Edinburgh

Regional U16 Rugby Academy

− Harry Paterson – Edinburgh

Regional U16 Rugby Academy,

Scotland U16 and U17 Squad

− Ian Stewart – Edinburgh Regional

U18 Rugby Academy

− Ralph Weissen – Edinburgh

Regional U16 Rugby Academy

− Jack Paterson – Edinburgh Regional

U20 Rugby Academy; Scotland U19

− The 1st XV won the Blue Conference

and replicated last season’s

achievement of an unbeaten run of

conference matches.

− The 1st XV reached the Plate

Final at the Rugby School’s 450th

Anniversary Tournament.

Touch Rugby

− Lydia Larkin and Katherine Allan

– Girls U18 Touch Rugby Scotland

Team.

− Amaya Larkin – Mixed U15 Touch

Rugby Scotland Team.

Cricket

− Catherine Edwards – Girls U17

Scotland Cricket

Athletics

− George Conner Scottish Schools

Athletics Championships 2017,

400m winner.

Lacrosse

− Alice Younger, Elena Cariaga,

Rosie Usher, Catriona Sutton,

Cora Simmons, Meg Harley and

Abigail Wallace were all selected to

represent Scotland at the U19 Home

Internationals held in Cardiff. Alice

Younger was selected as Captain of

the U19A Scotland Lacrosse Team

and Rosie Usher was selected

as Captain of the U19B Scotland

Lacrosse Team.

− The 1st XII won the Scottish Schools

Tournament and reached Division 1

down at Nationals.

− The 2nd XII won the Ryden Rose

Bowl Tournament.

Fives

− The 1st IV won the cup in the

Edinburgh Schools Singles

competition.

− The Colts IV won the Edinburgh

Schools Plate.

− Archie McCreath and Grant

Sperling became Scottish Schools

Champions.

− Archie McCreath won the

Scottish Schools Open Singles

Championships

− The Scottish Schools

Championships Evan Li and Jamie

Clark won the Plate Final

− The U16 Fives girls won the National

Schools Girls’ Fives Championship,

winning the U16 Doubles Plate and

the Bronze Medal.


PRIZE WINNERS 2016/2017

At time of print, the following recipients of prizes donated by

OFs were known:

General A John G D de Chastelain (CW 1950-1955) and

David D Russell (CW 1950-1955)

Class 1 Senior Piping

Torquil Le Roy-Lewis (Gl)

Edwin J G Doubleday (Mo 1992-1994)

Best turned out Band member

Matthew McKenzie (Ca)

M Hugo C Fraser (Mo 1962-1967)

Outstanding contributions to the life of the school

Lorcan Archibald (Ki)

Erin Bibb (Ar)

Thomasina Bowyer-Bower (CW)

Douglas Bruce-Watt (Gl)

Calluinn Cooke (Ca)

Sophie Cullis (CE)

Honor Halford-MacLeod (CE)

Sally Hughes (Ar)


Adam Lofthouse-Hill (Gl)

Angus Scott (Mo)

Benedict Thom (Mo)

The Rt Hon Iain Macleod (Mo 1927-1932)

Award for interesting and unusual projects

Oliver Watson (Ca)

The Rt Hon Iain Macleod (Mo 1927-1932)

Debating competition

Sophie Cullis (CE)

Luci Dennewill (Ar)

Andrew V M Murray OBE (Staff 1981-2003)

Class 3 Junior Piping

George Maxwell (PS)

George Preston (Sh, CW 1944-1950) (Staff 1955-1991)

Senior OF Science Award

Artur Makhnach (Ca)

Alastair Sharp (Gl 1957-1963)

Rugby – Fettes vs Loretto

Fettes

Malcolm T Thyne (Staff 1988-1998)

Inter-House Drumming

Moredun

Inter-House Piping

Moredun

The Evan Weir (SH 1939-1944) OF Citizenship Prizes

Citizenship Prizes for worthy Fifth Formers, who contribute

unselfishly to the Fettes Community

Christopher Jamieson (Ki)

Lucinda Worlledge (CW)



POLAR ACADEMY – AN EXCEPTIONAL ARCTIC EXPEDITION

Pupils from Fettes College and from

Broughton High School (via the FetLor

Youth Club) were invited to come

forward for selection to participate in

a ten-day Arctic expedition where their

physical and mental capabilities and the

very core of their character would be

tested to the limit. The Polar Academy

students were chosen over a gruelling

two day selection weekend where they

were put through their paces on the

Pentland Hills, submerged in the pool

and challenged on the climbing wall.

To finish off the long days they were

all asked to present to a classroom

filled with instructors and previous

Polar Academy students. A further six

pupils from both schools who were

selected to join The Polar Academy

Leadership Programme benefitting from

much of the same training and skills

development as the expedition team,

but did not go on the Arctic Expedition.

The Fettes pupils from the

expedition team include several with

OF parents, Harry Letts (Ca) son of the

late Charles Letts (Ki 1978-1983); Max

Roberts (PS, Gl) son of Nick Roberts

(Ar 1974-79); Lara Welch (PS, CW) son

of Jeremy Welch (SH 1974-1979).

Once the fitness training began

all students met on a weekly basis to

rapidly increase their endurance and

core strength. In October the team

participated in a training weekend

in the Cairngorms while in January a

fundraising event was held, an unofficial

world record attempt to haul tyres,

simulating the expedition experience of

sled pulling.

Twenty male and female pupils,

all aged between 14-17, took turns over

eight hours to haul a 15kg tyre around

a one-mile course within the Fettes

grounds. While the pupils’ mental

and physical strength was tested by

continuous tyre hauling, members of

the public were invited to actively test

their own fitness. Two of the challenges

on offer included helping to ‘haul’ a two

tonne Isuzu Yukon truck.

The Leadership team had their

chance to demonstrate their endurance

in February as they took on Aviemore

and everything it could throw at them,

battling snow and ice, receiving expert

tuition on winter mountaineering and

arctic survival methods. Three weeks

before the expedition departed, the

expedition team had the daunting

task of pulling tyres along St. Andrews

beach for seven hours, giving them as

realistic an experience as possible of the

duration of sledge pulling to come.

We are immensely proud of the

selected team completing such

rigorous training over ten months with

the support of their teachers, parents

and a handpicked team of experts

providing them with the mental and

physical fitness of elite athletes.

At the end of March the expedition

team were finally immersed in the

wilds of Greenland, each hauling

their 45kg sledge for 100km. Over ten

days, teamwork and resilience were

paramount as they cooked and camped

on the sea ice, met members of the

Inuit community, navigated through

some of the world’s most remote

terrain and marvelled at the Northern

Lights. Their confidence soared with

every step.

Each pupil has returned to Scotland

ready to speak to thousands of fellow

school pupils about their personal

challenges and experiences. The

fulfilment of their personal pledges

to become the living breathing proof

that ordinary individuals can achieve

the extraordinary, they are seeking to

inspire their peer groups, urging them

to overcome feelings of insecurity, self-

doubt and anxiety in pursuit of their

own dreams.

Fettes College Pupils: Harry Letts, James Mackman, Max Roberts, Iona Wardner and Lara Welch


To misquote (as most do) 1989’s Field of

Dreams, “Build it and they will come”.

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of

Arniston House, opened by Sir Knox

Cunningham (Mo 1922-1928) in 1967.

One imagines it was a response to

growing numbers of pupils, though

some might say it was an attempt of

sorts to encourage more pupils to join

Fettes, showing through this thoroughly

modern (at the time) building that the

College was looking towards the future.

The imposing block seen in the early

pictures seems far removed from the

impression one gets of Arniston these

days, strolling through the grounds,

under shady trees, now adjacent to the

Prep School’s charming William House.

Founded, of course, as a boys’

house, with W. E. K Anderson (Staff

1959-1970) as Housemaster, Arniston

later closed for boys in 1981 before

being re-opened in 1982 for girls with

Jean Weekes (Staff 1979-1994) as

Housemistress.

Being the first dedicated girls’

boarding house gives Arniston a

particular place in history, never, of

course, to discount the importance

of those 1967 Founder Members

and the fourteen years of their

male predecessors. Arniston gave

Fettesian girls a chance to develop

the same sense of camaraderie and

companionship the Fettesian boys

had always experienced, due to their

boarding experience, and put Fettes

on the path to the fully co-educational

school we see today.

Celebrations in honour of Arniston’s

50th anniversary begin in earnest at

Commemoration Weekend, with Old

Arnistonians and former staff being

invited back to House for a tea party

on Saturday 7th October at 2.30pm-

4.30pm. Commemoration Weekend,

while always open to all Old Fettesians,

is at its core, about anniversaries.

However, we must never forget the

importance of the Houses in which Old

Fettesians grew up. Aspects will morph,

the faces will change and the boarders

(perhaps mercifully) no longer need to

queue to use the phones (not in the age

of Skype and FaceTime!). Nevertheless,

Fettes College boarding houses will

always feel familiar to those who spent

those most formative of times within it.

If you have memories of your time

in Arniston, or of Old Arnistonians,

and you would like to share them

with us ahead of the celebrations at

Commemoration Weekend, please

email [email protected].

ARNISTON AT 50

Clockwise from top left: Arniston immediately following

construction in 1967; Arniston in the sun in 2016; The Founding

Members of Arniston in 1967


CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDBased on an interview with Dr Peter Coshan (Staff 1972-2005) with additional content from the Fettes College Archives

In 1957 Fettes College and Gordonstoun

were invited to be the first Independent

Schools in Scotland to try out the Duke

of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (DofE),

which was then in the experimental

stage.

Nearly 100 boys applied to take part

at Fettes, but there were not enough

staff to cope with this demand so five

lucky participants were chosen from

each House.

Since then, thanks to a dedicated

team of Fettes staff more than 1200

Fettesians have received DofE Awards.

It would be remiss to write about

DofE at Fettes without mentioning Dr

Peter Coshan who ran the scheme with

such enthusiasm for 33 tremendous

years. Although Fettes pioneered the

DofE Award in its early days, when Dr

Coshan arrived in 1972 the scheme was

hanging on by a thread. He worked

hard to recruit boys (initially) from each

House and soon the number of pupils

involved in DofE increased.

Dr Coshan recalls many firsts,

including an early enthusiast, George

McDonald (Gl 1969-1974), who insisted

on walking in his kilt and the first ever

girl participating in DofE. This presented

him with the challenge of making the

necessary sleeping arrangements

during a freezing February expedition.

He recalls that poor Sarah Law (Ca

1971-1973) had to sleep in the minibus

as opposed to joining the boys in a tent.

She must have been very cold indeed!

Many other staff members have

contributed to the success of DofE over

the years at Fettes. It is with immense

gratitude that we must thank all who

took on the responsibility, as well as

those who ran the scheme, many

others were, and still are, involved in

expedition training, support, form filling

and assessments.

All DofE Awards require those taking

part to complete four activities, namely

Expeditions; Service; Skills and Physical

Recreation. In addition, the Gold Award

requires participants to undertake a

Residential Project.

Whether through the excitement of

the great outdoors, the experience of

camping, the sheer physical exertion

of carrying equipment and supplies

or the camaraderie, expeditions in

particular live long in the memories of

participants. In the early days, Fettes

expeditions involved walking in the

local Pentland Hills. They later moved

to Perthshire (Callendar to Killin) and

for the Gold expedition along to Loch

Rannoch. The challenges for the Master

in Charge was the remoteness and

need to monitor pupil checkpoints.

Dr Coshan recalled a time when the

minibus broke down at the end of an

expedition near Loch Rannoch delaying

the return to school by some while.

It is quite unthinkable these days that

one Master would be in charge of so

many pupils in a remote location and

that the only way to get word back to

school was by stopping at a variety of

phone boxes on route home to ask

Housemasters to spread word of the

delay. Nowadays there would be more

than one member of staff travelling with

these intrepid explorers and any delays

would be emailed back to Houses

straight away, with Tweets re progress

as well no doubt.

In the 1980s, with help from Tony

Reeves (Staff 1983-2017), expeditions

moved to the Lake District, where

access was better but the terrain none

the less gruelling. Today expeditions

take place across Scotland from

Balquhidder to north of the Great Glen

and from Cairngorm to Mull.

Expeditions began on foot in 1957,

but Fettes, leading the way in DofE,

soon expanded expedition possibilities

with Revd The Hon. George Buchanan-

Smith (Staff 1960-1981) permitting

some pupils, who were suitably trained

in advance, to make their expedition

on horseback. This must have been

quite an adventure! In Dr Coshan’s time

expeditions evolved to include canoes,

bikes and kayaks, all of which are still

possible today.

These days, it is difficult to imagine

using the equipment early DofE

participants had to use. There were

certainly no lightweight tents, Gore-Tex

jackets or comfortably fitted hiking

boots. They used open ‘Manpack’

carriers and had to bungee everything

on to them and their tents were either

a bivvy or had exceedingly heavy steel

poles.

Through the generosity of the Fettes

Thrift Shop, funds have been provided

over the years to enhance the DofE

equipment stores. Most recently, they

have facilitated the purchase of Vango

Equinox Tents, not only revolutionising

the weight of DofE expedition packs,

but also the speed of setting up camp

and general weatherproofing.

DofE is certainly character building.

The skills and experience gained from

DofE remain with those who take part

for life. From First-Aid, to cooking, to

route planning along with contributing

to society through charity or outside

service commitments, plus a long term

physical activity goal really do set you

up for life. The memories created as a

Fettes pupil are those to treasure. The

experience of DofE is certainly one of

those.

Today expeditions take place across Scotland from

Balquhidder to north of the Great Glen and from

Cairngorm to Mull


Masters in charge of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

− Lt Col Sir Donald AG Bannerman (Staff 1952-1959)

Master in Charge of DofE when it began in 1957

− The Revd The Hon George A Buchanan-Smith

(Staff 1960-1981)

− Dr Peter Coshan (Staff 1972-2005)

− Colin Duncan (Staff 2001-2008)

− Brian Snedden (Staff 2009-2016)

− Iain Loudon (Staff 2005-Present)

Alastair Salvesen (Mo 1954-1960) recalls with some pride

being one of the first to achieve DofE Gold in 1959: “Fettes

and Gordonston were the ‘Trial’ schools to prove that the

proposed concept of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,

which was about to to be launched nationally would provide

the necessary challenge to enable young people to develop

the skills considered necessary. I was lucky to be one of these

guinea pigs!

“On my Bronze award camp we carried our one-man

tents, found dry wood and individually lit a campfire to cook

our dinner and breakfast. I learnt First Aid, started a stamp

collection and was challenged in athletics. The invitation to

attend the Awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace with my

mother in November 1959 along with two fellow Fettesians,

Grant W Matthew (Mo 55-60) and Iain RF Brown (Ca 56-60),

was memorable and The Duke of Edinburgh presented each

of us with our awards.”

Clockwise from top right: Dr Coshan and The Duke of Edinburgh;

Twenty years ago (1997); Sixty years ago (1957); Ten years ago

(2007)


Commemorative paving stones are

being laid throughout the UK under

a Government initiative in the birth

place of the 628 winners of the Victoria

Cross in the First World War. Two of

these were OFs: Lieutenant Donald

Mackintosh, 2nd Battalion, The

Seaforth Highlanders (Mo 1911-1914)

and Lieutenant Colonel William

Anderson (Mo 1895-1900), who

commanded 12th Battalion Highland

Light infantry.

Eleventh of April this year marked

the centenary of Donald Mackintosh’s

death at the age 21 on the third day of

the Battle of Arras and a paving stone

was laid on that day beside the War

Memorial of Glasgow Academy which

he attended for a few years before

moving to Fettes. In 2018 Lieutenant

Colonel Anderson’s act of bravery

will be similarly commemorated. His

school career also started at Glasgow

Academy and continued at Fettes. Both

men were born in Glasgow.

The Battle of Arras started on

the 9th of April and British units had

advanced from the South some four

and a half miles into the village of

Roeux, five miles East of Arras. The

attack, however, had foundered largely

because the ground was too soft to

allow adequate supporting artillery

to be brought forward. In what was a

rash and pointless move to improve

the situation, the 2nd Seaforths were

ordered to attack the village from the

West at noon on 11th April. Roeux was

strongly defended and the ground over

which the battalion was to advance

was without cover so that the German

machine gunners had it in their open

sights. The attack was a complete

failure but there was no lack of gallantry

and the Seaforths lost 12 officers and

363 other ranks. The average daily

casualty rate during the 39 days of

the battle was 4076, greater than the

daily rate suffered at the Battle of the

Somme.

The citation of the award of the

Victoria Cross which was awarded

posthumously to Donald Mackintosh

reads:

“For most conspicuous bravery

and resolution in the face of intense

machine gun fire. During the initial

advance he was shot through the right

leg, but though crippled he continued

to lead his men and captured the

trench. In the captured trench he

collected the men of another Company

who had lost their leader and drove

back a counter attack. He was again

wounded, and although unable to

stand he continued nevertheless to

control the situation. With only fifteen

men left he ordered his men to be

ready to advance to their final objective,

and with great difficulty got out of the

trench and encouraged his men to

advance. He was again wounded and

fell. The gallantry and devotion to duty

of this officer were beyond all praise.”

The 1917 Fettesian also carried a

lengthy newspaper interview with

Mackintosh’s sergeant:

“Without exception, Lt. Mackintosh

was the bravest officer who ever led his

men into action. Had it not been for his

bravery and self-sacrifice under great

difficulty we would have been wiped

out completely that day. As soon as we

went over it began to rain shells, and

as for machine-gun bullets, there were

enough flying around to give every

man of us a round dozen and still leave

plenty for the next-comers. We had

just got into our stride when the Lt.,

who now commanded the company,

was hit. He went down, and the men

hesitated. He shouted from where he

lay, ‘Never mind, Seaforths; keep it up.’

Then he got to his feet, and though

he was in great pain he persisted in

hobbling towards the position we had

to take. He led us straight at the enemy

parapet, and, with the assistance of two

privates, he got into the trench. The

enemy were forced back, but returned

to the attack later, driving before

them a company of ours which had

lost its officers and was out of hand.

The Lieutenant took it in hand, and

under his leadership the men got back

their confidence, repelling repeatedly

enemy counter-attacks, and gradually

making the position as secure as it

could be. Then Lt. Mackintosh was hit

again, and he lay unconscious for a

few minutes. The men dragged him

to safety, and, propped up against a

dug-out, he continued to direct the

operations. Soon he saw that if the

line was to be held it was necessary to

seize the part of the trench still held by

the enemy. Limping painfully, he made

his way out of that part of the trench

and led a file of the unwounded men

against the post it was necessary to

rush. It was the strangest sight you ever

saw. A doubly-wounded man, with the

CENTENARY OF LT. DONALD MACKINTOSH BEING AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSSContributions from Mackintosh’s nephew Donald Blair and David McDowell (Staff 2005-Present)

Lt. Mackintosh as a Seaforth Officer


nervous twitching of his face telling the

agony he was enduring, toiling painfully

along and encouraging his men as he

went. The little band kept on their way,

and rushed the position, from which

they drove out about ten times their

own number of the enemy. It was in the

moment of success that Lt. Mackintosh

fell. He tried to get up again and go with

the men into the trench from which

they had driven the enemy, but he was

then too weak from loss of blood to

do so. We could see he was in great

pain. He would not hear of any of us

assisting him until he saw the position

was safe, and whenever we suggested

aiding him he ordered us away. When

our troops were again in possession of

the whole ground, without fear of the

enemy getting it back, the Lieutenant

consented to be moved.

He was one of the bravest. The men

would have followed him anywhere

at any time. He was always thinking of

the men, and did all he could to make

things easy for them. He was not the

sort to risk our lives unnecessarily, and

he never spared himself.”

A portrait of Donald Mackintosh

painted posthumously was presented

to the school by his family in 1957. It

now hangs on the first floor landing

of the College building. A copy of the

portrait is shown with this article. There

is no documentary proof that when

the eminent sculptor Birnie Rhind

created the school war memorial,

depicting a officer of a kilted regiment

waving his men on to the attack, he

had any individual in mind, but school

myth insists that the young man

immortalised in bronze is indeed a

representation of this particular hero,

and the pupils often refer to him as

Mackintosh.

Eleventh of April this year marked the centenary of

Donald Mackintosh’s death at the age 21


OLD FETTESIANS TAKING US INTO THE SKIES

One hundred years ago one of the duo

of Barnwell Brothers who made such

significant global advances in flight

and aviation sadly died whilst testing a

Vickers FB26 Vampire night fighter in 1917.

These airborne Fettesians were

Frank (Ca 1894-1898) and Harold (Ca

1893-1897) Barnwell, who had built

Scotland’s first aeroplane. They started

with a glider in 1905, making their first

aeroplane in 1908. Followed quickly

in 1909 by building one which could

fly, making the first powered flight in

Scottish airspace. In January 1911 they

flew their monoplane for over a mile,

the longest flight of any Scottish aircraft

at the time.

Frank Barnwell’s book, Aeroplane

Design, published in 1916, was one of the

most influential works on the subject

ever written. He became Chief Designer

at the British Colonial Aeroplane

Company. He was the creator of a host

of aircraft, including the Bristol Scout

and the Bristol F2BB, the famous ‘Brisfit’

which took part in the first RAF offensive

as an independent air force. Very sadly

Frank was killed testing an aircraft in

1938, in Bristol.

Harold Barnwell worked for Vickers,

where he designed on his own initiative

the Barnwell Bullet, a fighter which was

developed into the Vickers FB19. Harold

sadly crashed a Vickers FB26 Vampire

night fighter at Joyce Green in 1917, one

hundred years ago, whilst testing its

handling in a spin.

We were keen to find out about

other Old Fettesians who have been

compelled to take to the skies and

were delighted to receive the following

contributions in response to our call for

aviation news.

Karl Stark (Inv, Gl 1996 – 2004) British

Airways Boeing 747-400 First Officer

Like most pilots, I always knew what I

wanted to do from as far back as I can

remember: fly. I took full advantage

of the air experience flights at Fettes

under the encouragement of Wing

Commander Andrew Murray, my

then-history teacher and head of the

school’s CCF. Working after university

as a Business Executive for a food

company, I decided that my future was

not in selling frozen pizzas, and enrolled

at a self-sponsored integrated flying

college in England. After qualifying

and a year of global job hunting, I

found myself flying the Boeing 737 in

Jakarta, Indonesia for Lion Air. A year

and a half later, I managed to find a

job in the Middle East for a slightly

safer charter airline in Jordan, flying the

military around Iraq and deportees

around Europe. Moving ever closer

to the UK, I transferred soon after to

a German charter company in Berlin,

and then onto Jet2.com in Edinburgh

where I spent nearly five years. Finally,

I was hired by British Airways, where I

currently fly the 400 tonne, four engine

Boeing 747. I feel incredibly privileged

to be where I am today, and can’t wait

until I realise my next goal of space

flight. My housemaster was certainly

correct when he said I had my “head in

the clouds”.

Captain Donald Macdonald

(CW 1955-1999)

I was selected for a short service

commission in the Royal Navy Fleet

Air Arm when I left Fettes at the end

of 1959. I did my flying Training at RAF

Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire and my

Helicopter Training at the Royal Naval

Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.

I flew Wessex HAS Mk. 1 Anti

submarine Helicopters with 815

Squadron which was one of the first to

carry out night anti-submarine sorties,

Karl Stark Hamish Ross


which entailed hovering over the sea at

night at 30 feet above the water. This

in the early days produced some very

exciting moments.

After five years I was sent to RAF

Ternhill to become an Instructor, and

spent the next three years as an A2

Basic Helicopter Instructor, this meant

teaching students from scratch up to

wings standard.

After leaving the Navy I spent over

40 years in Civil Aviation flying all over

the world including Iran, Nigeria, USA

and the UK North Sea. In total amassing

over 16 thousand flying hours on over

twenty different types of Helicopter.

I was also a qualified Instrument

rating Examiner for the UK CAA. I

finished my career teaching Instrument

Flying in a Simulator and finally was

forced into retirement at the age of 75!

Hamish Ross (Ca 1977-1981)

I was introduced to flying while in

Carrington. The CCF RAF section

promised all kinds of delights that

interested a boy who flew to the Far

East every holiday, in the days when

there was no in-flight entertainment but

you could go and look at all the dials

and the better view from the windows

in the cockpit.

Days out at Turnhouse waiting for

the weather to be good enough for

air experience flights – aerobatics if

you were lucky – then a gliding course

culminating in my first solo at Arbroath.

These set me on an uncharted path

with many unexpected turns. Flying

to all corners of the Earth, living and

working in France, Switzerland and

Dubai before ending up back in the

UK with my own company, Lupus Air

Services, training pilots on private jets.

If you’d asked me back in the seventies

I don’t think I could have imagined it!

David WA Macdonald (Gl 1947-1950)

I enjoyed the experience of being part

of the aviation section during my time

at Fettes. Dick Stoker (Staff 1946-1955)

was in charge and he convinced me

that I should do my national service in

the Royal Air Force.

In the RAF I was stationed in the

Canal Zone at Ismailia working in air

traffic control. The British were in

charge of air traffic for the eastern

Mediterranean from Malta to the Gulf

and from Cyprus to Khartoum. It was

a responsible job for a teenager but of

course I had acquired radio and map

reading skills at Fettes and I had learnt

a lot about aircraft during World War

Two. I was then posted to El Adem near

Tobruk in Libya. I was off duty when

Princess Elizabeth arrived enroute

to Tree Tops in Kenya, she returned

a few days later as Queen Elizabeth.

I managed to take some photos of

her arrival, which was a very special

moment.

Frank Evans (CE 1954-1959)

I was in the RAF Section of the CCF and

I remember that we obtained a jet

engine (Nene?), from a De Havilland

Vampire I believe. We studied it quite

closely and learned how it worked,

and there was talk of sectioning it. In

retrospect, it was little over 10 years

after WW2 and the engine must have

been one of the first jet engines to fly.

Other than that I remember going to

RAF Debden for my first annual camp.

We had to get up at 6am every day

except Sunday, but the hour went on so

we lost that too. We also went to camp

at Cranfield, where we did aerobatics in

a Chipmunk and they flew us down to

RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall and back.

Adrian Jenkins (CW 1951-1954)

I was in the RAF Section at Fettes in 1954,

after moving to Canada I joined the

RCAF in May 1960, and served until Sept

1964 as a commissioned pilot. After the

RCAF I moved to USA and served as a

Captain with Northwest Orient Airlines

from April 1965 until retirement in April

1998.

Colin Cunninghame-Graham

(SH 1974-1977)

Nine years ago I gained my Private Pilot’s

License. I live in Florida and try and fly

about once a month. The discipline

taught to me at Fettes that has helped

me throughout my life continues to do

so in the continual ongoing training and

safety considerations of being a pilot.

Andrew V Murray OBE

(Staff 1981-2014)

This page would not be complete

without mention of Andrew V Murray

OBE (Staff 1981-2014). Many of you will

remember the talented history teacher,

you will also remember the additional

role that he took such pride in, as Wing

Commander in the Combined Cadet

Force (CCF). When Andrew retired from

teaching in 2003, he had spent 36 years

in the CCF, 22 of them whilst teaching at

Fettes making him one of the longest-

serving RAF volunteers in the country.

Andrew made a very significant

contribution to provide Fettesians with

the opportunity to experience and

enjoy flying through their participation

in the RAF Section. He was treated

to a fly-past by a Tornado from RAF

Lossiemouth upon his retirement from

the CCF in 2003.

With sincere thanks to Andrew V

Murray (Staff 1981-2014) for his

thorough research into the Barnwell

brothers for his article in the Fettesian

(2004) and to David McDowell (Staff

2005-Present) for his article on their

contribution to flight for the Old

Fettesian Newsletter 2014.


The Fettes Career Partnership

Programme has a very simple purpose,

to connect the Fettes Community in

pursuit of careers.

The provision of professional

support ranges from career advice

to internship access, with higher

education support ranging from an

Old Fettesian undergraduate chat to a

campus tour.

Our professional networking

events are proving popular with more

than 300 attendees over the year. The

event format is informal, usually over

breakfast before work, but not always.

We have no formal speakers and have

a soft start and end time to suit diary

pressures. This really does enable us to

focus on the networking. We are very

grateful to our recent hosts in London –

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP; Shepherd &

Wedderburn LLP and Quilter Cheviot. In

Edinburgh we have been hosted by HBJ

Gateley and by Skyscanner and in April

2017 we were thrilled to go global with

an event kindly hosted by Minter Ellison

in Hong Kong.

If you would like to host a Fettes

Community professional networking

event please do get in touch.

Professional networking is not just

for OFs, we run events back at Fettes

for Fifth and Sixth Form pupils to ‘Lift

the Lid’ on career areas. We are hugely

grateful to the many OFs who have

supported this initiative, coming back

to Fettes for an hour. We run seven of

these events over the academic year

taking place after tea and before Prep.

Pupils read speaker bios in advance

and then sign up to attend to hear

professionals from a particular sector

speak for just two minutes each. Pupils

then chat and network with these

professionals enabling them to ask their

own questions and further their own

career discovery.

LinkedIn is a natural home for the

professional Fettes network. We now

have a Fettes College page, which we

will use to promote the Fettes Career

Partnership and push out career related

messages to the Fettes Community.

Do please follow us the next time you

are on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/

school/16194443. We have over 2,700

OFs who have Fettes College listed

on LinkedIn within their education. To

optimise the alumni functionality on

our page – please take a moment to

amend your education by selecting

Fettes College from the pick list instead

of typing it in (and if you are a former

member of staff please select Fettes

College as your employer). Once you

have done this you will be able to see

the advantages afforded to you, being

able to see OFs at particular firms

you are doing business with or OFs in

particular companies that you would

like to do business with, or even work

for. We look forward to being able to

increase the everyday spontaneous

professional connectivity across

the Fettes Community through

LinkedIn.

If you would like to find out more

about the Fettes Career Partnership

Programme please do get in touch by

emailing [email protected]

We are very grateful to the many

OFs, Current Parents and Past Parents

who support the Fettes Career

Partnership Programme. The list below

shows the OFs who have helped us over

the year, in order of attendance:

Jezneen Belleza (Ar, Da 2009-2014)

Biomedical Sciences student with

Honours in Neuroscience (graduating

University of Edinburgh 2017)

Arthur Berkeley David Cole

(Gl 1997-2002) Horticulturalist,

Head Gardner at Colesbourne Park,

Gloucestershire

Andrew Soulsby (JS-Ar 1973-

1980) Program Manager, Keysight

Technologies. BSc Engineering

Charlie Boisseau (Gl 2001-2002)

Chief Technology Officer, Commsworld

FETTES CAREER PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME


Ross Turner (Gl 2004-2009)

PureMalt Products Ltd

Eline van den Haak (Da 2012-

2014) bachelor student of Industrial

Engineering and Management

Sciences in the Netherlands. She is

also the CEO and founder of a startup

company, Haak innovations BV. Haak

Innovations BV is currently realizing

their first product Soil optimizer for the

agricultural industry.

Nick Rogers (Gl 2011-2013),

Chemical and Process Engineering,

University of Strathclyde

Dr Julie Hardie (Ar 1993-1997) MA

Hons C Psychol, Clinical Psychologist

Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977),

Health Economist

Tatiana Spens (PS, CW 2003-2013),

BSc Undergraduate, Adult Nursing

Sophie Scott (PS, CW 2003-2013),

BSc Undergraduate, Child Nursing,

Dundee University

Charlotte Robson (CE 1995-

1998), Advanced Nurse Practitioner-

Cardiothoracic surgery

Alex Torrens (Ca 2000-2006),

Investment Manager and Co-Head of

Research at Walter Scott & Partners Ltd.

Dale MacLennan (Gl 1986-1990),

Investment Director, Global Investment

Specialists, Equity

Emily Collister (PS, Ar 2003-2010),

Analyst, Lloyd’s Banking Group

Harry Maitland (Ca 2000-2005),

Associate Director, Savills Country

House Department

Ele Robertson (CW 2009-2014),

Buyer Care Manager, Savills

Sunny Jain (Ki 2008-2012), Oxford

Education Group

Ed Stack (Mo 1994-1999), Founder

at tech start up SuperRational –

superational.com; co-founder and

creative director DECAGRAM.

Alexander Holt (Ki 1991-1996),

Head of Digital Communities

(Digital Directorate) at The Scottish

Government, currently running this

project: civtech.atlassian.net

Melanie Auld (nee Reid)(JS, CW

1985-1992), Founder and Owner of

Spice Pots (Indian cooking business)

Henry Philip (Inv, Mo 1999-2006),

Global Ambassador The Naked Grouse;

Founder of Henri James, Swimwear and

the beer and whisky blog Barrell & Butt.

Colin Gilchrist (Ki 80-84), Director,

Social Tailor

Alex Parsons (Ki 86-91),

International Political Strategy

Consultant

Rory Fyffe (Inv, Mo 1997-2003),

Technical Manager at RADA Studios

Mungo Strachan (Ki 2003-2008),

Senior Associate at Lascaux Partners

Rt Hon Lord Harry Woolf (CW

1946-1951)

Rupert Hammond Chambers (JS,

Gl 1979 – 1986), President US-Taiwan

Business Council and Managing Director

Bower Group Asia

Scott Perry (Ki 2008-2010),

Solicitor, Banking and Finance –

Shepherd & Wedderburn LLP

Victoria Stevenson (Ar 2001-2006),

Investment Manager, Quilter Cheviot

Sophie Gorman (Ar 2005-2007),

Head of PR & Communications at

Quilter Cheviot.

With special thanks to The Revd

Professor Norman Drummond,

CBE (Staff 1982-1984) and to Sir Bill

Gammell (Mo, Ar 1966-1970) for their

exceedingly insightful and relevant

sessions at Fettes College Careers Day

in February.

The Revd Professor Norman

Drummond, CBE (Staff 1982-1984),

utilised his life experience to engage

the Fettes College pupils at the very

start of Careers Day. With tales from

the gangland areas of Glasgow and

Edinburgh when Norman Drummond

was as a young Minister, he went on

to the Parachute Regiment and the

Black Watch, then to Fettes College

as Chaplain and then on to Loretto to

become Headmaster at the early age

of 32. Norman’s life has represented a

personal commitment to leadership

and developing talent in others,

which he drew upon when he spoke.

The Fettes College pupils were very

fortunate to have Norman engage their

minds on to ‘careers’ at the start of

Careers Day.

Sir Bill Gammell (Mo, Ar 1966-1970)

is passionate about developing people

and instilling a positive winning attitude

in both business and sport. Utilising

35 years in the oil and gas industry;

playing Rugby for Scotland (1977-1980)

and being Chairman of the Winning

Scotland Foundation and Chairman

of Genius Gluten Free, he provided an

impactful close to Careers Day. Fettes

pupils were left in no doubt that they

needed to think differently and to learn

through trial and error.


George Angell (PS, Ki 2010-2016) – Swansea University, Mechanical

Engineering with a Foundation Year

Alexandra Angus (PS, CE 2009-2016) – University of Aberdeen,

Geography

Maria Asta (Ar 2014-2016) – The University of Nottingham, French and

Politics

Emma Axon (CE 2014-2016) – Queen Margaret University Edinburgh,

Nursing 2017

Aisuluu Bakchieva (CW 2014-2016) – Oxford University, Biochemistry

(Molecular and Cellular)

Charlotte Becker (PS, CE 2009-2016) – RWTH Aachen in Germany,

Mechanical Engineering

Jessica Bennet (CE 2012-2016) – Oxford Brookes University, Business

Management/Film Studies

Katrine Bennie (PS, Ar 2006-2016) – Liverpool John Moores University,

Drama

Angus Bolton (PS, Gl 2008-2016) – Durham University, Accounting

and Finance

Sacha Bushby (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – University of Exeter, Sociology and

Criminology

Thomas Campbell (PS, Ki 2010-2016) – University of St Andrews,

History

Tiffany Chan (Da 2012-2016) – University of Bristol, Law

Miranda Clamp (PS, CE 2010-2016) – University of the Arts London,

Design Management

Abigail Clark (CW, Da 2011-2016) – Oxford Brookes University,

International Hospitality Management

Tom Clark (Ki 2012-2016) – University of York or Edinburgh Napier

University, Politics, International Relations, Social Sciences

Lucy Cogley (Ar 2012-2016) – University of Exeter, Law

Sophie Cooper (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – University College London,

Medical Sciences & Engineering

Caroline Crichton (PS, Ar 2008-2016) – University of Aberdeen,

Geography

Rachel D’Amours (Ar 2014-2016) – Newcastle University, Chemical

Engineering

Rory Darling (PS, Ca 2010-2016) – Durham University, Business &

Management

Matteo Davoli (Gl 2014-2016) – University of Rome, Engineering

Douglas Dawson (PS, Gl 2006-2016) – Oxford School of Drama

William Dirkin (Gl 2012-2016) – The University of York, Music

Technology Systems with a Foundation Year

Olga Ermolina (PS, Ar 2008-2016) – Durham University, Psychology

(Applied)

Anton Falco (Ca 2011-2016) – University College London, Information

Management for Business

Leander Gale (PS, CW 2007-2016) – Plymouth University, Hospitality

Management

Cameron Galloway (PS, Gl 2010-2016) – University of St Andrews,

History

Caroline Getley (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – Cardiff University, Modern

History and Politics (Integrated)

Eleanor Goodenough (PS, CW 2005-2016) – University of Sheffield,

English Literature

Lucinda Gray (CE 2011-2016) – Durham University, History

Fergus Haig (Gl 2011-2016) – Durham University, Business &

Management

Hector Halford-MacLeod (Ca 2011-2016) – Durham University, Music

Colleen Halliday (Ar 2011-2016) – University of Aberdeen,

Accountancy and Finance

Johnny Harley (PS, Mo 2010-2016) – Newcastle University, Accounting

and Finance

Maisie Harley (PS, Ar 2010-2016) – Durham University, Criminology

Emily Harley (CW 2011-2016) – Sheffield Hallam University, Real Estate

Rory Heppenstall (Ca 2014-2016) – Durham University, Law

Emily Heseltine (CW 2011-2016) – Durham University, Anthropology

Erika Inglis (PS, CW 2006-2016) – University of Bristol, Cellular and

Molecular Medicine

Kishwar Iqbal (Ki 2014-2016) – Durham University, Chemistry and

Physics

Alfie Jeavons-Fellows (Gl 2014-2016) – Drummer in Lost Tiger To The

Wild

Zac Jeavons-Fellows (Gl 2014-2016) – Lead singer in Lost Tiger To The

Wild

Elizaveta Karmannaya (Da 2012-2016) – University College London,

Psychology and Language Sciences

Sally Kerr (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – University of Exeter, Engineering

Maximilian Knight (Ki 2011-2016) – University of Exeter, History and

Politics

Michael Lai (Ca 2012-2016) – Loughborough University, Computer

Science

Aylin Laity (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – University of Glasgow, Biomedical Eng

Megan Leffek (PS, Da 2010-2016) – University of Exeter, Medical

Sciences (Human Genomics) with Professional Training Year (4 years)

Fiona Lin (PS, Ar 2007-2016) – Oxford University, Experimental

Psychology

David Don Lindsay (PS, Ki 2010-2016) – The University of York,

Human Geography and Environment

Sarah Lochhead (Ar 2014-2016) – University of Leeds, Geophysical

Sciences

Martha Lochhead (Junior School, Da 2006-2016) – Royal Holloway

University of London, Comparative Literature and Culture and Drama

Olivia Longstaff (Ar, Da 2011-2016) – University of Edinburgh, Fine Art

Sarah Lowry (CE 2014-2016) – University of Manchester, Economics

and Politics

Lewis Ma (PS, Mo 2010-2016) – Imperial College London, Civil

Engineering

Alistair Macdonald (Gl 2011-2016) – Sheffield Hallam University, Real

Estate

Max Mackie (Gl 2014-2016) – Durham University, General Engineering

Lucy MacMaster (Da 2012-2016) – University of Exeter, Economics

David Maitland-Biddulph (PS, Mo 2005-2016) – University of Exeter,

History

Anastacia Markoe (CW 2014-2016) – Wellesley College

2016 LEAVERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?


Massachusetts, Political Science and Russian

Kyle Martin (Ca 2011-2016) – University of Stirling, Accountancy and

Finance

Rory Martin (Mo 2011-2016) – Newcastle University, Geography

Bronwyn McCabe (CW 2014-2016) – Oxford University, English

Language and Literature

Zachary McCarroll (Ki 2011-2016) – University of Bath, Integrated

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Alexandra McKelvie (PS, Ar 2005-2016) – University of Bristol, Law

Georgina McKenzie Smith (Ar 2011-2016) – University of Edinburgh,

English & Scottish Literature

Hector McLean (Mo 2011-2016) – University of St Andrews, Geography

Cameron Mclellan-Watt (PS, Gl 2008-2016) – De Montfort University,

Business and Management BA (Hons)

Flora McMicking (CE 2011-2016) – Trinity College Dublin, Classics

Beatrice Middelthon (Da 2014-2016) – Durham University, History &

Economics

Juliet Millar (Da 2014-2016) – Newcastle University, History and Politics

Sean Milne (Ca 2012-2016) – Kingston University, Pharmacology

Stuart Milne (Mo 2011-2016) – University of Strathclyde, Biomedical

Engineering

Lorne Milne (Mo 2011-2016) – University of Exeter, Politics and

International Relations

Benedict Morillo (PS, Mo 2006-2016) – Oxford University, Law

Daniel Mullins (PS, Gl 2007-2016) – Parsons School of Design New

York

Hannah Nairn (Da 2014-2016) – London School of Economics,

International Relations and History

Olivia Nicholson (PS, Ar 2006-2016) – The University of Liverpool,

Zoology

Scott Noblett (PS, Ki 2007-2016) – Merchant Navy Officer Training,

South Shields

Amy Norton (PS, Ar 2010-2016) – Newcastle University, Marketing and

Management

Seamus O'Baoighill (Ca 2011-2016) – The Queen's University Belfast,

Music

James Ogilvy (PS, Mo 2008-2016) – University of Warwick,

Engineering

David Oh (PS, Ca 2010-2016) – University of Stirling, Applied

Computing

Christine Oh (PS, CW 2010-2016) – University of East Anglia, Medicine

Laila Petra (CW 2011-2016) – New York University

Mary Phillips (PS, Ar 2010-2016) – University of Aberdeen, History

Kyle Pirie (Ki 2011-2016) – The University of Nottingham, Politics and


Abigail Pooley (CE 2011-2016) – Goldsmiths University of London, Arts

Management

Richard Raczkowski (Ki 2012-2016) – Heriot Watt University,

Mathematics

Iona Rae (Ar 2014-2016) – University of Aberdeen, Music

Benjamin Raper (PS, Mo 2009-2016) – IT Technician at Cargilfield IT

apprenticeship with QA with a view to studying Computer Science

Degree

Connor Reid (Ca 2011-2016) – University of Warwick, Philosophy,

Politics and Economics

Elizabeth Relph (PS, Da 2009-2016) – The University of Liverpool,

Veterinary Science

Korbinian Ring (Ki 2012-2016) – University of Bath, Natural Sciences

(with Professional Placement)

Camilla Robertson (CE 2011-2016) – University of Bristol, Law

Lucy Robertson (PS, CE 2010-2016) – University of Exeter, Law

Emma Rogers (PS, Ar 2008-2016) – University of Bath, Sociology

Jasper Roscoe (Ca 2011-2016) – University of Warwick, History of Art

John Rushworth (PS, Mo 2010-2016) – University of Amsterdam,

French

James Seto (PS, Mo 2007-2016) – University of Glasgow, Accountancy

Justin Sian (Ki 2014-2016) – University of Southern California,

Computer Science

Anna Simpson (CW 2014-2016) – Durham University, Anthropology

Matthew Spencer (PS, Gl 2009-2016) – University of St Andrews,


Charlotte Steele (Ar 2011-2016) – University of St Andrews, Geography

Callum Stelfox (Ki 2011-2016) – University of Exeter, Economics*

Chloe Sutton (CE 2011-2016) – The University of York, Psychology in

Education

Gavin Tennant (PS, Mo 2010-2016) – Loughborough University,

History

Sophie Thomson (PS, Ar 2010-2016) – Newcastle University,

Geography and Planning

Joshua Thomson (Mo 2011-2016) – University of Bristol, Chemistry

Marie Urasaki (PS, Da 2009-2016) – Sophia University Tokyo, Liberal

Arts

Iona Warren (CW 2011-2016) – University of Bristol, Psychology

Evelyn Watson (CE 2014-2016) – University of Southampton, Natural

Sciences

Ali Waugh (PS, Da 2009-2016) – Aberystwyth University, Veterinary

Biosciences

Poppy Welch (CW 2011-2016) – Newcastle University, Linguistics

Harry West (Gl 2011-2016) – Leeds Beckett University, Sport Business

Management

Thomas White (Ca 2013-2016) – University of Aberdeen, Accountancy

and Business Management

Katie Whitelaw (Ar 2011-2016) – Heriot Watt University, Construction

Project Management

Fiona Williamson (PS, CW 2008-2016) – Heriot Watt University

Edinburgh Napier tbc, French and Spanish combined with either

business or intercultural communication*

Suka Wong (Ar 2012-2016) – Plymouth University, Medicine and

Surgery

Tom Worlledge (PS, Mo 2009-2016) – University of Warwick, Eng Lang

& Linguistics

Thomas Wright (Gl 2011-2016) – Sheffield Hallam University, Real

Estate

Nuowei Wu (Da 2012-2016) – University College London, History,

Politics and Economics BA

Izzkandar Zainol Izzet (Ca 2011-2016) – Newcastle University,

Accounting and Finance

* su

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t to

co

ndi

tion

al e

xam

inat

ion

res

ults


I gained so much from the experience;

in my understanding of this period in

art, the painters that brought about

such a celebrated tradition, Italian

culture and their cities today and I hope

it’s not too much of a cliché to say that

I learned a fair bit about myself too.

It really was an experience that I will

always look back upon fondly and will

serve me in good stead as I continue to

explore Italian Art through my degree. I

am so grateful to the trustees for having

made this experience possible and

would recommend anyone to try for

this grant in the future.

I started my trip by spending three

days walking around one of the most

extraordinary cities in the world –

Naples. There really is nowhere like it.

It’s fantastically chaotic; Vespas jumping

out of nowhere, the outdoor living

and the jumble of flats. Narrow streets

were full of life with people selling live

fish and residents relaxing on their

balconies with their clothes hanging out

to dry, the earthen colours of the street

contrasting beautifully with the vibrant

multi-coloured washing-lines.

On the third day I climbed St Elmo

which was a fortress at the top of the

city. It was an astonishingly steep climb

for the centre of a city, taking about

two hours, but the view from the top

was breath-taking, stretching over the

rooftops to the other side of the gulf

of Naples towards Vesuvius. At the top

part of the city it seemed as though a

separate community had developed.

It actually had the feel of a small town

rather than any densely-populated city.

I saw very few cars here, a total contrast

to the traffic down below in the rest of

the city. Yet still plenty of people live

there. I imagine that they all work at the

upper levels as well and have no reason

to leave. I wondered whether the older

people that I saw struggling to walk

would ever leave the upper level again

since it would be such an effort to climb

back up.

Since applying for the Macleod

Award I had been interested in seeing

the Amalfi coast, in particular Positano,

which John Steinbeck wrote a famous

essay on. He described it as being a

“dream place that isn’t quite real when

you are there and becomes beckoningly

real after you have gone”. Two villages,

with a beach at the bottom, and the

most perfect turquoise water, made me

understand what he meant. In the two

days that I was there, I was constantly

in awe. I set out early in the morning to

hike to the nearby town of Priano along

the cliffs that both of these villages

are built on and saw a pink sunrise

over the water, reflecting off the white

rooftops. Having a coffee at the highest

point of the hike at a tiny, beaten-up

café was one of the most memorable

experiences of my life.

Naples’ Duomo is a spectacular

Cathedral, with an overwhelmingly

ornate Baroque interior. A painting by

Ribera (a Spanish painter who learned a

lot from Caravaggio and lived in Naples

at the same time) in the Duomo was

particularly striking and stays in my

mind very strongly today for its raw

emotion. Seeing works like that in a

religious setting makes one understand

how genius separates the masters so

easily from average painters.

From there I went to Pompeii and

Herculaneum to see the ruins of these

towns. Herculaneum has been less

heavily excavated and there is a modern

town built over most of the ruins. It is

amazing to see this glimpse into ancient

Roman civilisation alongside a modern

Italian town. However, Pompeii was

more impressive. I really got a feeling

of these people from so long ago and

THE IAIN MACLEOD AWARD REPORTBy Jasper Roscoe (Ca 2011-2016)

The Iain Macleod Memorial Trust was set up following the death of a statesman and Old Fettesian, The Rt Hon Iain Macleod

(Mo 1927-1932), in 1970. The Trust makes annual awards to Fettesians (single or joint) to fund interesting and worthwhile

projects.


their way of life. I was able to draw clear

parallels between their society and

ours. The experience was quite surreal.

The next stop was Rome. The city

itself is beautiful throughout. Being

built on hills means that there were

many viewpoints to admire the city

and its warm earth colours. Grandiose

Baroque palaces and ornate church

facades disrupt the arrangement of the

ordinary 17th century buildings around.

These churches and palaces contain

some of the greatest art works from this

period. The Palazzo Barberini houses

a spectacular collection of paintings

but by far the most astonishing work

was the ceiling fresco Triumph of Divine

Providence. This is a massive Baroque

fresco celebrating Maffeo Barberini’s

appointment as Pope, becoming Pope

Urban VIII. It is a remarkable illusion full

of interesting details. When I was there,

I had this massive room to myself and

I was able to lie on a bench and take

in every detail. I saw similar illusions in

the two main Jesuit churches in Rome

(the Church of Il Gesu and the Church

of St Ignatius Loyola). Even seeing it in

the flesh I found it hard to comprehend

where the architecture of the church

ended and where the fresco begun in

the Assumption of St Ignatius by Padre

Pozzo.

After Rome I was off to Perugia

which might well have been the

highlight of my trip and a very pleasant

surprise. I originally intended to stay for

two nights so that I could do a day trip

to Assisi and Urbino as there is a lack of

decent hostels in both towns. However,

on the day I arrived I walked around and

was immediately struck by the beauty

of the town and ended up spending

two whole days there. It is a perfect

Italian gothic town frozen in time on top

of a hill in Umbria with Raphaelesque

views all-around of the Umbrian

landscape. The city had few tourists

and I felt like I had found a hidden gem.

From Perugia, I went to Assisi where

I stayed one night. This was quite simply

the most spiritual place I have ever

been. It was easier to ignore the tourists

than I thought it would be and as I

walked from the bottom of the town

spending time in every church before

my walk climaxed at the top of the city

at the Basilica of St Francis; I felt a bit like

a medieval pilgrim. Nuns and Franciscan

monks were everywhere I looked. The

churches were beautiful examples of

Italian Gothic architecture. The one

thing that did disappoint me about this

place was that many of the buildings on

the lower levels had clearly undergone a

lot of restoration and felt a bit artificial,

in part due to the destructive 1997

earthquake.

However, what I most wanted

to see in Assisi was the Basilica of St

Francis where St Francis is buried. This

church houses frescos by Cimabue and

many frescos by Giotto. Admiring the

structure of Giotto’s works is always a

pleasure and there was one detail that

particularly gripped me; the multi-

coloured wings of an angel by Giotto on

the first level of the church that struck

me as being one of the most beautiful

figures I have ever seen.

Florence was my next stop, where

I would stay for over a week with

some friends that lived there. I have

been to this city many times before

and have always enjoyed the calming

atmosphere of the place as well as

the early renaissance structures. The

view across the river Arno in Florence

is always a special sight and there can

be no bridge more beautiful than the

Ponte Vecchio. Florence was the cradle

of the Renaissance and Brunelleschi’s

magnificent Dome standing tall is a

constant reminder of this.

Even after a week there was still

more art to see in Florence. The Uffizi

gallery has the greatest Renaissance

collection in the world with great works

such as Botticelli’s iconic Birth of Venus

and a great range of Raphael Madonnas.

In the Uffizi, I begun to realise the

genius of Agnolo Bronzino, a painter

from the Mannerist period whose work

I had never particularly enjoyed from

reproductions I had seen. However,

in the flesh the colours harmonise

perfectly and there is such satisfaction

in the strong three-dimensionality of

his figures. My appreciation for his

work grew further when I visited the

Palazzo Vecchio (the old town hall of

Florence where the Medici ruled the city

throughout the Renaissance), for there

lies a chapel painted from top to toe by

Bronzino. The same features of his work

that I admired in the Uffizi was present

here in an even more spectacular

way, but what struck me more was

his capacity to conjure emotion and

a sense of drama. His influence in

“…the colours are brighter, the tones are softer and

the church light completes the effect as the painting

sparkles…”


bringing about the Baroque period

might be underrated.

A chapel that struck a similar chord

with me whilst I was in Florence was the

Branccachi chapel, painted by Masaccio

and arguably the first complete

Renaissance painted work. Studying

this masterpiece in the flesh I begun to

understand what an excellent colourist

Masaccio was and also that his frescos

were not a million miles away from

Giotto’s work 100 years before. This

was significant for my understanding

because previously I would have argued

that Masaccio’s work exemplifies

a totally new kind of art than that

produced in the late Gothic period.

From Florence I went to Siena on

a day trip. This city was Florence’s

greatest medieval rival and its

monumental buildings are a testament

to their rivalry as both cities attempted

to communicate dominance through

architecture. Siena’s ‘Palazzo Publico’

is a magnificent sight and is used by

the Sienese as a meeting point. In

the square the Town hall tower soars

above whilst people below bask

in the sunshine. The Cathedral is

perhaps even more impressive as an

ostentatious expression of Catholicism.

Not only does the building dwarf the

viewer but a range of colours, piers

and lofty ceilings make the interior

space feel truly unearthly and spiritual.

Countless magnificent works can be

studied in the Cathedral including

Bernini and a minor Michelangelo. The

Baptistry is also worth a visit with relief

sculptures from some of the greatest

artists of the early Renaissance who

must have been selected at the same

time to create a rivalry that would spark

artistic innovation.

I finally left Florence to stay in

Mantua for a night and spent the

best part of two days there. This is a

beautiful city, home to the Gonzaga

dynasty that ruled here throughout

the Renaissance. This wealthy dynasty

attracted some of the best artists

and architects in Italy. Particularly

noteworthy is Andrea Mantegna, Alberti

and Gulio Romano (Raphael’s most

successful student). Alberti designed

a number of churches in the city, most

significantly the Basilica of San Andrea.

To see this building in the flesh was as

brilliant an experience as I expected it

to be but what I didn’t expect was his

innovation with regards to materials

that were quite contrary to Classical

design.

From Mantua I took the train to

Venice. One could hold their phone

up blindly in this city and take a great

photo. Perhaps the best experience

there was hanging out with people

from the hostel on the street outside

looking across to St Mark’s square and

the Doge’s palace from the other side of

the water as the sun set every evening.

However, the city is full of tourists and

this made it hard for me to picture the

16th century life of a Venetian during the

golden age of art.

The single painting that affected me

most during my time in Italy was the San

Zaccaria altarpiece by Giovani Bellini,

still in situ in the church of San Zaccaria.

I knew of it, but in the flesh, the colours

are brighter, tones are softer and the

church lighting completes the effect as

the painting sparkles in reflecting the

light. I visited the painting three times

whilst I was there and it was as brilliant

every time.

I visited three galleries whilst I was

in Venice; all were brilliant but the best

was the Doge’s Palace. This was the

building where the elected leader of the

Venetian empire (the Doge) sat. As well

as the historical significance of exploring

this palace, its artistic significance

is monumental since Doges of the

Venetian Renaissance commissioned

the greatest painters to produce works

of art that celebrate the glory of the

Doges that they painted for. The works

in here were of an astonishing scale

with practically every wall covered

from top to toe with paintings. It is

an overwhelming experience seeing

figures in all directions of a scale greater

than life and by names as celebrated as

Veronese, Tintoretto and Titian. I visited

many magnificent churches whilst

I was in Venice but by far the most

astonishing was the Basilica di Santa

Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The church

was truly rich in significant works of art

with Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin

being particularly noteworthy. This is

perhaps Titian’s most celebrated work

and the High altar for the church. It is a

massive painting with figures being over

twice life-size. The colours and scale

communicate the miraculous nature of

the event in a powerful way. After some

time in Padua, and one more night in

Venice watching the sunset from the

pavement in front of the hostel, I was

then off home early in the morning.


Old Fettesian Golf

Society Review 2016

We welcomed Richard Smith (CW

1965-1969) as our new President in

2016, taking over from stalwart Alistair

Pickles (Ca 1955-1959) after his four-

year term. Andrew Soulsby (Js, Ar 1973-

1980) remains as Captain for 2016, and

as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer for

the Society longer term.

The annual Senior Wayfarers fixture

was at Muirfield this year. After an

excellent lunch, Fettes accompanied

Edinburgh Academy in the qualifying

rounds on Saturday afternoon, finishing

fourth after a countback to the back

nines, and so were drawn against top

qualifiers, Merchiston, on the Sunday

morning. Unfortunately, a Merchiston

birdie at the 20th took them through

to the final, where they gained revenge

for last year’s loss by beating Edinburgh

Academy. Strathallan picked up the

wooden spoon. Many thanks to Keith

Oliver (Gl 1965-1970) for organising

the team accommodation at nearby

Renaissance Golf Club.

In the matches against the other

schools, we lost to Tonbridge, beat

Marlborough at Sunningdale, beat

Loretto at both Worplesdon and at

Muirfield, and drew with Merchiston

while beating Glenalmond in the annual

triangular match at Panmure. The

match against the School at Bruntsfield

was lost – the silver lining is that the

victors become eligible to represent the

OFs in future years!

In the Queen Elizabeth Trophy

at Royal Burgess, Will Spens (Inv, Ki

2001-2011) made his debut for the OF

team. We were drawn against Cranleigh

in the first round, winning 2 ½ – ½, with

Soulsby and Spens securing the half

with a birdie up the eighteenth. On the

Sunday morning, we lost to Eton 3-0

though all matches were decided on

the 17th or 18th hole.

Our Commem golf day was well

supported as usual. The format is

a relaxed meeting of old friends for

lunch and golf and this year’s entry

form will be in your Commem packs –

all are welcome. At around the same

time of year, the annual London Golf

Day is held at Denholm, where all OFs

are made to feel very welcome by

organiser, Jim Shackleton (Ki 1954-

1958). If you want to join the OFs in

London this year, contact the OFGS

Secretary who can pass on your details

to Jim.

In 2016, our early season

tournaments have been enjoyable as

ever. At Elie, Fettes finished mid-table,

despite beating winners Merchiston of

the Stenhouse Quaich. The Halford-

Hewitt side lost their first round tie

against Sherbourne – a team we beat

in a close match last year. It was rather

more one-sided this year. In the Plate

competition, we won our first round

before going out to Forest on Saturday

morning. Many thanks go to Stuart

Murray (Mo 1961-1966), our Halford

Hewitt reserve, who hosted the team

in a warm up at Rye on the Monday of

that week, and represented the team

commendably in the Plate competition

at Princes.

All OFs are welcome to join the

Golfing Society. All our individual

matches and the London Golf Day

are handicap events, so all standards

of golfers are catered for. The annual

subscription is £20, and, on payment

of your first subscription, you will

receive an OFGS tie. Finally, we are

offering free membership to OFs who

are under 25. If you want to join, please

contact Andrew Soulsby, the Honorary

Secretary, either on his mobile phone

(07984-789761), by email (andrew_

[email protected]), or by post at

8 Northlawn Court, Easter Park Drive,

Edinburgh EH4 6SB.

Thoughts from Donald Steel

(Gl 1950-1955)

Of all the benefits of being an Old

Fettesian, there is nothing remotely

comparable to the lasting joys of the

OF Golfing Society. Contrary to some

beliefs, it is not for the elite few, it is for

everybody. There are nineteen year

olds and ninety year olds. Whether you

seek competition or camaraderie, it

supplies both. For those of a sensitive

nature, nobody is looking and nobody

is counting.

Golf allows access to some of the

most beautiful places on earth and to

some of the finest courses. Some of

these can be found via the OFGS. When

you leave school, it is not the end of

Fettes. Rather is it the beginning – if only

you will allow it to be. Rugby, cricket or

athletics may have been your sporting

forte but golf can take your fancy when

age plays its hand – and don’t forget,

golf is the only sport where the poorest

can challenge the best and still have a

meaningful contest.

All golf has to have its measure

of competitiveness and nobody has

ever convinced me that it is not more

enjoyable when you win. Old Fettesian

golf can boast a long string of fine players

but more than half the fun is the team

element in the annual fixtures that

are a central part of the calendar. The

Halford Hewitt, The Queen Elizabeth,

The Grafton Morrish, The Cyril Gray, The

Stenhouse Quaich. You have to earn your

spurs to take part and most regard it as

their duty to try. The Halford Hewitt, in

particular, is a unique event at Deal and

Sandwich and financial help is available

to defray some or all of the costs but

there are also a string of matches against

other schools at delightful venues that

are, quite literally, open to all comers of

whatever handicap.

A good link is maintained with the

school to flag up those with genuine

OLD FETTESIAN SPORTING SOCIETIES REVIEW 2016-17


aspirations but nobody should be

shy at coming forward. My 55 years of

connection with OF golf has been like

no other. It has proved that loyalty is

ingrained in most OFs and Fettes needs

you. My life would have been much the

poorer without it.

Donald attended Fettes from 1950-

1956 and was Head Boy, before going

up to Cambridge in 1957 to study a BA

in Agriculture. After graduating, he

was The Sunday Telegraph's first golf

correspondent from 1961-90, and a

prolific golf course architect, with studies

to review bunkering, planting and

overall layout completed on over 500

courses. Proficient enough to have taken

take part in the 1970 Open Championship

at St Andrews, and to have represented

England at International level, he

was a regular contestant in amateur

championships and occasional

professional events (as an amateur).

In addition, he won the Oxford and

Cambridge Golfing Society’s famous

President’s Putter on three occasions –

18 years apart, and was a member of the

Fettes’ Halford Hewitt winning team

in 1964.

OFA Summer Shooting

Club Review 2016

Century Range seemed a little quieter

than usual in 2016 for the Ashburton

and Veterans matches, due no doubt

in part to the changes in regulations for

school shooting which have presented

significant challenges to some of our

peers. However, the Old Fettesians

were in good form as ever, putting in

entries for three teams of five for the

Veterans match, and benefiting from the

seemingly endless goodwill of Sergeant

Watty Burns (Staff 2010-Present) and

the College VIII, giving of their kit, time

and talents to help with the Grand

Day Out.

The lion’s share of the work fell to

two of the youngest OFs on the team.

Poppy Macdonald (CW 2010-2015)

and Ian Brotherston (Gl 2001-2012)

both came equipped not only with

their own rifles, but also with the all-

important safety certification that the

NRA now requires shooters to have

– or to be coached, 1:1, by someone

with the necessary clearance. Both

these stalwarts therefore followed

their own entries on the firing point

by spending the rest of the afternoon

dutifully coaching every one of the

other OFs who had come along on the

day; after which experience there is no

doubt that a reviving cup of tea was

hard earned and well deserved! With

several experienced members of past

VIIIs showing up on the day, the A team

put in a very respectable total score of

234.15.

Shooting completed, we decamped

to the garden of Elcho Lodge, by kind

permission of Mrs Rosemary Meldrum,

to enjoy a barbecue and prize giving.

The Old Fettesian Tankard for the best

score in the Ashburton was won by

James Ogilvy (Ki 1994-2000), and

the Stewart Cup for the highest 600

yards score to Johnny Harley (PS, Mo

2010-2016). The Franks Salver for the

highest score in the Veterans shoot was

awarded to Vasily Shenshin (Ca 2009-

2013).

OF attendees: Grant Matthew

(Mo 1955-1960), Anthony Cleary (CW

1959-1964), Jamie Johnston (In, Mo

1998-2006), Ros Ramsay (Da 1984-

1986), Vasily Shenshin (Ca 2009-2013),

Rupert Macdonald (CW 1952-1957),

Amanda Forsyth, née Baker (Ar 1982-

1984), Poppy Macdonald (CW 2010-

2015), Ian Brotherston (Gl 2001-2012),

Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977), John

MacGill (Gl 1944-1949).

Winter Shooting

Dr Robert Concannon (Staff

2014-Present) continues to support the

OFs in small-bore shooting at the Grassie

Range. We usually meet twice per

term in the Autumn and Spring terms –

contact Amanda Forsyth for more details

at [email protected]

Call for Help!

I am stepping down from organising the

Bisley shoot following the 2018 event,

after ten extremely enjoyable years.

As the image shows, there is a long-

standing tradition of OF attendance

at the Veterans shoot – pictured is the

late, much-missed Rick Craig-Wood (Ki

1959-1964) and yours truly in 1987. So,

a vacancy is going to arise for someone

to organise the day. It helps if you are

based in the south of England, but

isn’t essential. Do let me know if this is

something you can take on.

Amanda Forsyth née Baker

(Ar 1982-1984)

Vice President,


Trustee, The Fettesian Trust

Co-ordinator, OF Shooting Club

([email protected])


In 2016, Commemoration Weekend or

Commem, as most of us know it, took

place from Friday 30th September to

Sunday 2nd October.

The Old Fettesian (OF) golfers tee’d

off the weekend early at Bruntsfield

Links before events began at Fettes

from the Friday evening. Many more

OFs than usual chose to join the Friday

evening wine and cheese party not least

because Fettes College were hosting

us in the new Spens Building. The

building is a remarkable feat, slotting

into the beautiful Fettes campus so

innocuously. It provides so many bright

and spacious modern classrooms along

with the stunning Salvesen Art School

and a particularly clever enclosure of

the old North Building Courtyard to

create the performance space in the

exemplary Culachy Music School.

On Saturday morning the AGM for

the Old Fettesian Association was held

and OFs had the opportunity to tour

the school with a current pupil. Many

took the chance to go in to Chapel and

walk the still very familiar corridors of

the main College Building.

During the afternoon there was

lunch in the Dining Hall for those who

had planned ahead and reserved a

space. The Fettes Campus was then a

buzz as a large cohort of Old Fettesians

took the opportunity to spend Saturday

afternoon back at Fettes reliving their

memories: watching sport (supporting

Fettes!) and visiting Houses. There were

many hugs, handshakes, laughs and

photographs shared.

Over Commemoration Weekend

Debbie Spens (Staff 1998-2017)

invited the five and ten year returners

(leavers of 2006 and 2011) to come

and speak to the Lower Sixth Form

pupils about their career journey,

Higher Education and ‘life after Fettes’

over a hog roast lunch. Pupils and OFs

alike found the conversations very

rewarding. This event will be repeating

over Commemoration Weekend this

October. Please sign up on the booking

form if you are able to help us.

We are exceedingly grateful to the

following returners who joined us at the

event:

Christina Baird (CE 2006-2011) is a

medical student at Dundee University.

Sunayna Best (CW 2001-2006)

graduated from University College

London Medical School with

Distinction. She is now the first Clinical

Fellow in Genomics at Great Ormond

Street Hospital where she forms a link

between the clinic and the laboratory

for the 100,000 Genomes Project.

Alexandra Buchan (PS, Ar 1998-

2006) works at Waverton Investment

Management as a portfolio manager

running bespoke equity portfolios for

private clients and also manages the

Waverton UK Fund.

Thanakorn Cheung (Gl 2009-2011)

studied History at Warwick University

where he specialised in Russian and

Soviet History. He moved to Paris in the

summer of 2015 to pursue a Masters

degree in International Development

with a focus on Russia and Latin

America.

Gilli Cuthbert (CE 2006-2011) has

started her own business as a freelance

Graphic Designer in Glasgow. Gilli went

to Dundee University and studied

Graphic Design.

Tilly Dawson (Ar 2006-2011) went

to Durham University and read English.

After she graduated she worked at an

all-girls boarding school, Wycombe

Abbey, for a year as a Resident Tutor.

She then studied her (PGCE) through

Teach First and currently teaches

Reception (4-5 year old) at a school in

North West London.

Poppy Empson (CE 2006-2011)

went to Oxford University and studied

French and Russian graduating with

a BA Hons in Medieval and Modern

Languages. She is now working for the

Scottish Government in their EU Office

in Brussels.

Sarah Flemming (CE 2004-2006)

went to Oxford University and did a BA

(now MA) in Chinese Studies (including

a term at Peking University). Sarah is

Brand Manager for Talisker in Europe

having started with Diageo on the

graduate scheme four years ago.

Andrew Fyffe (Gl 2001-2006)

is a Recruiter for McKinsey & Co,

a management consultancy firm

in London. He went to Edinburgh

University and read Spanish and

History.

Lucy Fyffe (PS, CW 1999-2006)

is specialising in Portraiture, at the

London Atelier of Representational Art

(LARA), with a view to working as a self-

employed artist and is also training to

be a teacher. On leaving Fettes she went

to Wimbledon College of Art to do an

Art Foundation course. She then went

to Oxford University to read English.

Amelie Gerlach (Ar 2009-2011)

went to King’s College, London where

she completed a BSc in Business

Management. She is now Project

Manager for Private Labels at LoveCrafts

in London.

Monica Gilbert (CW 2006-2011)

went to University College, London for

both her undergraduate and Masters

Degrees. She is now on a graduate

training scheme at Sweaty Betty.

Katie Gray (CE 2009-2011) went

to Northumbria University to read

Geography. She is now Customer

Relations Co-ordinator at St George

PLC, in London.

Claudia Gusmitta (CW 2009-2011).

went to Robert Gordon University

and studied Management with

Marketing. She is currently working as

an Operations Assistant at Westhall

Partners in London, a company that

COMMEMORATION WEEKEND 2016


introduces Asian Fund Managers to

institutional investors based in the UK,

Europe and America.

Cat Hayhoe (PS, Ar 2004-2011)

went to Aberdeen University and

completed a History degree. She is

now at Edinburgh University taking the

graduate LLB.

Ross Ledden (Ca 2007-2011) went

to The University of East Anglia to study

Business Management. He now works

as an Assistant Tax Advisor at Ernst &

Young LLP and through the firm he is

currently doing the ACA qualification.

Ross Lyon (Ki 2006-2011) chose

not to go to University. Instead he tried

a number of paid jobs and eventually

he chose the Merchant Navy. He was

successful in getting a cadetship

with Clyde Marine, with the goal of

becoming a Deck Officer. He tells us

that he has seen (lots of) the North

Sea, crossed the Atlantic, crossed the

Equator and rounded the Cape of Good

Hope to see Asia.

Ava Maitland (nee Dennis) (Ar

2004-2006) went to Leeds University

and graduated with a first class honours

degree in English Literature after which

she went to Edinburgh University to

gain her accelerated Law qualification

(LLB) which she passed with Merit.

She worked as a trainee solicitor at HBJ

Gateley and has recently begun a new

career as a PR and Marketing manager.

Max Martin (Ki 2006-2011)

graduated from Bristol University with a

Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

Maddie McKenna (Ar 2009-2011)

went to Wesleyan University in America

where she received a Bachelor of Arts

Degree. She now works in the film

industry.

Kym McWilliam (Ar 2000-2006)

studied Fashion Design at Grey’s School

of Art, then took a Masters Degree in

Graphic Design. Kym is now a freelance

Graphic Designer and a full time farmer

having recently returned to the family

farm.

Harriet Myzak-Douglas (Ar 2006-

2011) went to York University to study

History and to Durham University to

study International Relations. She now

works for Orchard House Foods as a

National Account Executive.

Alexander Oldroyd (Gl 2004-2006)

went to Lancaster University to study

Medicine. He is now a Rheumatologist

and Academic Clinical Fellow at

University Hospital, South Manchester.

Katherine Orthman (Ar 2009-2011)

went to Durham University to study Cell

Biology and is now studying Veterinary

Medicine at Edinburgh University.

Gordon Park (PS, Ki 1998-2006)

attended Art School at the Cumbria

Institute of the Arts in Carlisle, studying

Ceramics. He has since worked at Blair

Drummond Safari Park.

Rory Peyton Jones (Ki 2009-

2011) went to Lancaster University

to study Business Management and

did a one year internship with IBM in

London. Following that Rory did a

10 year Leavers (2006)


Masters Degree in Design Management

at Lancaster where he received a

Distinction. He is now an Account

Executive at Arc London.

Gordon Robertson (Ca 2006-2011)

is working as a musician and performer

as well as being in his final year

studying for a BA (Hons) Performance

Industries. He has studied at the Royal

Conservatoire of Scotland and is now

at the Academy of Music and Sound

in Glasgow, in conjunction with the

University of Wolverhampton.

Stuart Rylance (Gl 2007-2011)

graduated from Southampton

University where he studied Mechanical

Engineering.

Will Spens (PS & Ki 2001-2011)

studied Ancient History at Bristol

University. He is currently undertaking

the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP

Law School and has a law traineeship

specialising in Corporate Law with

White & Case LLP.

Jai Srivastava (Ki 2006-2011)

studied PPE at Oxford University and

is now working in the Banking Audit

Department at KPMG in London.

Victoria Stevenson (Ar 2001-

2006) went to Edinburgh Napier and

completed a Law Degree (LLB Hons)

and then went on to complete an

Investment Management Certificate and

Masters in Wealth Management whilst

working at the same time. She currently

works as an Investment Manager at

Quilter Cheviot in London.

Johanna Stewart (PS, CE 2001-2011)

went to Northumbria University to

study Performance and is currently at

Dundee University completing her Post

Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

Philippe Traem (Gl 2009-2011)

attended Bayreuth University in Bavaria,

Germany where he studied Law

Charlotte Young (PS, Ar 2003-

2011) studied Theatre and Performance

at Leeds University and is now Hires

Administrator at Carnival Chaos

Productions in Edinburgh.

Amy Stirling (Ar 2006-2011) studied

History and Middle Eastern Studies at

Exeter University and is now an Account

Executive at the Creative Agency Clinic.

Robbie Scott-Larsen (Ki 2009-2011)

studied Engineering at the University of

Edinburgh.

Charlotte Rettie (CW 2002-2006)

is now an Equity and Derivatives Analyst

at Citi. She studied Events Management

at Leeds Metropolitan University

followed by an MA in journalism at

University of London.

Rebecca McConnell (Inv, CE

2000-2006) is a Primary Teacher

having studied Social Anthropology at

Newcastle University.

On Saturday evening more than

200 OFs enjoyed a wonderful black

tie dinner in the Dining Hall, which

commenced with a Drinks Reception

and the opportunity to view old

photos and highlights from the Fettes

of their time. Leavers sat with their

contemporaries and thoroughly

enjoyed catching up. Andrew Pickles

(Ca 1962-1967), OFA President, thanked

the Headmaster, Michael Spens (1998-

2017) on behalf of all Old Fettesians for

his incredible leadership of the College

in the approach to his retirement, and

made a presentation to him on behalf

of the OFA.

On Sunday OFs had the opportunity

to join the College Chapel Service with

an address from Peter Sutton (SH 1979-

1984). OFs always report how moving

it is to sing in Chapel again after time

away.

The formalities of Commemoration

Weekend ended at this point, but

those who wanted to see more of

Fettes were warmly welcomed at

Fettes College Open Day which took

place during Sunday afternoon and

ended spectacularly with the Pipe Band

beating retreat on the Queens Lawn.

Something worth staying for.

Newmen of 1946: Malcolm Ferguson (CE 1946-1951)

and Donald McNab (Ki 1946-1951)

Ben (Mo 2001-2009), Alastair (Mo 1956-1961)

and Tim (PS, Mo 2006-2012) Morrison


The Old Fettesian Association

continues to bring OFs together as their

lives unfold after leaving Fettes College,

providing a through-line of support that

is accessible at every age and stage of

an OF’s life. Evidence is in the success

and continued growth of the OFA – OFs

like to get together. Whether it has

been to share expertise on matters

professional, personal, or simply to

have a roaring good time, where there

is even a small pocket of OFs, there

will always be a warm welcome and an

invitation to a seat at the table.

We have an incredible roster of

Regional Secretaries across the world

who make it their mission, no matter

the scale, to be the contact for OFs in

that area, whilst organising and hosting

events. While we have this wonderful

network in place, there is always room

for expansion, and one person in each

location can only do so much. Fettes

naturally breeds tight connections and

bonds that are not easily broken, and

we know so many of you remain friends

for life. If there are groups of you in

locations that regularly meet up, and

you feel you might like to extend the

invitation to other OFs, for whatever the

purpose, we are here to support you. In

every social gathering there is potential

for a fantastic special OF occasion, and

we would love to hear about it.

We work with OFs who run one

annual social gathering a year in a set

location, but also OFs who organise

an almost bi-monthly gathering in

a rotating location. It will never be

one-size-fits-all, but the beauty of this

global network of thousands is that

every single OF has a voice that can

spill forth fantastic ideas. The work the

OFA does is guided and defined by the

energy, drive and creativity of the OFs

themselves.

Of interest to many will be that we

have identified almost one thousand

Old Fettesians living and working in the

London area, roughly one fifth of all Old

Fettesians worldwide, and that we have

begun to focus in on increasing the

number of OF events down south. Look

out for further details of new events in

the pipeline coming soon.

REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT

UK

Northern IslesBarbara J M Graham (Gl 1975-1977)Orkneye: [email protected]

Aberdeen Quentin Rae (Gl 1989-1994)Kintore e: [email protected]

Highlands & Islands Position vacant

TaysidePosition vacant

Central ScotlandSandy Park (Ki 1965-1970)Glasgow e: [email protected]

EdinburghIan MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958)Edinburgh e: [email protected]

GlasgowAndrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967)Ayre: [email protected]

The BordersDouglas Slight (Jnr, Ca 1973-1977)Lauder t: 01578750225 (H) e: [email protected]

NE EnglandHenry Cave (SH 1980-1984)Newcastle-upon-Tynet: 07738685999 (M)e: [email protected]

NW EnglandNorman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968)Cumbriat: 01539 620421 (H) 07747141666 (M) e: [email protected]

YorkshireHamish Patrick (Ki 1980-1985)Harrogatee: [email protected]

MidlandsRobert Gardner (Ca 1953-1957)Bromsgrovet: 01527872789 (H) e: [email protected]

LondonJames Macpherson (Gl 1997-2002)Londont: 07929233772 (M) e: [email protected]

London Carol ServiceDavid Simpson (Mo 2001-2006)Londont: 07896818167 (M) e: [email protected]

SW England Graeme Beattie (Ki 1973-1978)Swindont: 01793695992 (H) 01793600694 (O) e: [email protected]

Northern IrelandJason Johnston (Gl 1988-1993)Banbridget: 02840622462 (H) 07971206972 (M)e: [email protected]

Channel Islands Jeffrey Giovannoni (Ki 1989-1994)St Helier, Jerseyt: 07797751337 (M) e: [email protected]


OVERSEAS

Argentina Sean Cameron (Mo 1978-1982)Loberiat: +5492262409044 (H) e: [email protected]

Australia (Eastern) Position vacant – if you are interested please contact [email protected]

Australia (Tasmania) David Graham (Ki 1946-1950)Hobart, Tasmaniat: +61362285261 (H) e: [email protected]

Australia (Victoria) David Taylor (CE 1947-1952)Melbourne, Victoriae: [email protected]

Brazil Colin Pritchard (CW 1954-1958) Sao Pauloe: [email protected]

Eastern Canada Alastair Samson (Gl 1955-1960)Ottawae: [email protected]

Central CanadaRichard McGivern (Ca 1981-1986)Calgarye: [email protected]

Western CanadaNigel Grant (Ca 1949-1952)West Vancouvere: [email protected]

ChileDonald Filshill OBE (CE 1949-1952)Santiagoe: [email protected]

East Africa Alexis Sarikas (Mo 1978-1982)Nairobi e: [email protected]

Eire/Republic of IrelandDavid Baxter (Mo 1983-1988)Dubline: [email protected]

France Neil Robertson (Jnr, Mo 1973-1980)Parise: [email protected]

GermanyCordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) Hattersheim-am-Maine: [email protected]

Hong Kong S.A.REdward Fitzgerald (Jnr, Ca 1990-1997)Hong Konge: [email protected]

IndiaDuncan Watkinson (Ca 1961-1965)Bangaloree: [email protected]

JapanShizuka Harada (Okamato) (In, CW 1993-2000)Chibae: [email protected]

Mexico Ian MacLeod (Mo 1955-1959)Guanajuatoe: [email protected]

Middle EastGreer MacLean-Sherman (In, CE 1992-1998)Dubaie: [email protected]

New ZealandJames Purves (SH 1980-1985) Nelsone: [email protected]

South Africa (Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State & Lesotho)Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981)Midrande: [email protected]

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)Dave McLennan (Ki 1959-1962)Durbane: [email protected]

Western CapeTara Baum (née Hudson) (SH 1986-1988)Cape Towne: [email protected]

Singapore and MalaysiaRosie Thompson (née Leckie) (SH 1984-1986)Singaporee: [email protected]

SwitzerlandNorval Gough (Ar 1976-1980)Nunningene:[email protected]

Chris Milne (SH 1974-1979)Coppete: [email protected]

ThailandGeorge Morgan (Mo 1967-1970)Bangkoke: [email protected]

Eastern USADavidson Gordon (Gl 1957-1962) New Yorke: [email protected]

Western USAMiss Sophie Cheetham (In, CW 1993-2001)San Diegoe: [email protected]

Hawaii Sandy Causey (CE 1968-1972)Kaneohee: [email protected]

ZimbabwePosition vacant – if you are interested please contact [email protected]


Our records show the following Old Fettesians currently have

descendants studying at Fettes (including the Prep School).

Great-grandfathers

Forrest Carnegie (Ca 1917-1921) (Deceased)

Ian Milne (Mo 1872-1876) (Deceased)

James Grant (Gl 1918-1922) (Deceased)

Adam Darling (Gl 1898-1900) (Deceased)

Hugh King (Ca 1902-1906) (Deceased)

John Burnet (Mo 1901-1905) (Deceased)

Kenneth Macleod (GL 1899-1905) (Deceased)

Teddy Orr (Ca 1916-1917) (Deceased)

Grandfathers

Christopher Grant (Gl 1947-1951)

Duncan Ferguson (CW 1953-1958)

Nigel Ward (Ca 1946-1950)

Patrick Barty (Ca 1945-1950)

Tom McCreath (SH 1944-1947)

William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955)

Thomas Darling (Ca 1932-1937) (Deceased)

Fathers

Andrew Getley (Gl 1979-1984)

Andros Symeonides (Gl 1992-1996)

Ben Pei (Ar-Ki 1980-1984)

Bruce Dingwall (SH 1973-1978)

Charlie Maclean-Bristol (SH 1980-1985)

David Henderson (Ar 1977-1982)

Eric Young (Ar 1969-1974)

Gordon MacLeod (Ar-Mo 1978-1983)

Hugh Bruce-Watt (Gl 1972-1976)

Jeremy Welch (SH 1974-1979)

Jonathan Norrie (JS, Gl 1981-1989)

Malcolm Scott (SH 1977-1982)

Michael Wood (SH 1977-1982)

Murdo Maclean (Ki 1992-1996)

Nick Roberts (Ar 1974-1979)

Peter Sutton (SH 1979-1984)

Robin Sperling (Gl 1977-1981)

Roger Grant (Mo 1964-1969)

Ross Leckie (Gl 1971-1975)

Scott Gordon (SH 1982-1984)

Stuart Buchanan-Smith (JS, Mo 1976-1984)

Tom Usher (JS, Gl 1979-1986)

Willy Inglis (Ki 1980-1985)

Charles Letts (Ki 1978-1983) (Deceased)

Hamish Newlands (Ki 1979-1984) (Deceased)

Mothers

Amanda Mair (CW 1985-1989)

Mairi Mickel (CW 1986-1990)

Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984)

Annabel Newlands (née McQuillan) (Ar 1978-1979)

Caroline Lindsay (née Donaldson) (CE 1988-1990)

Clare Martin (née Cockburn) (Da 1985-1987)

Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984)

Elaine Halligan (née Little) (Ar 1982-1984)

Emma Schneider (née Forbes) (Ar 1982-1982)

Fiona Banatvala (née Davidson)(Da-SH 1984-1986)

Fiona Pollock (née Vaughan) (Ar 1983-1984)

Jo Prosser (Ar 1983-1983)

Leesa Tulloch (Ar 1983-1988)

Lorna Duff (née Bennett) (Ar 1988-1993)

Louisa McEwan (née Greatrex) (Ar 1983-1984)

Sarah Law (née Telfer) (Ar 1981-1983)

Seonaid Macpherson-Raffell (née Macpherson) (Ar 1982-1986)

FETTESIAN SUCCESSION


Central Scotland

The Central Scotland Lunch Club have

continued to have multiple enjoyable

and fruitful gatherings throughout

2016-2017. The Central Scotland

Lunches began back in the early eighties

when a couple of OFs from different

parts of the country had to meet for

professional reasons. However, being

OFs, after business there was always

time for some social interaction (a wee

sensation or three and a bite to eat).

The profit made from the cost of the

lunch is returned to the College once

a year to help support a pupil centred

activity. Over the years, we have helped

to support Sporting, Musical and

Cultural Tours as well as helping to buy

a new electric piano for Dalmeny house,

requested by the Girls themselves. We

now usually hold six or seven lunches

a year and meet at The Star & Garter

Hotel in Linlithgow. We are presently

updating our mailing list so that we can

ensure OF’s interested in attending the

lunches are kept in the loop.

Sandy Park (Ki 1965-1970)

Edinburgh

The ninth Edinburgh Old Fettesian

Lunch was held on 19th May at the

Royal Scots Club but this time we were

delighted to welcome as our guests

the Headmaster Michael Spens and his

wife Debbie. This resulted in a record

attendance of 44 OFs old and new, and

the normal venue, the Douglas room,

changed to the Hepburn suite, which

was larger and, as it had its own bar,

was very convenient.

Ian MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958)

welcomed the assembled company

and asked Peter Sutton (SH 1979-1984),

who has recently been inducted as the

new minister of St Cuthbert’s, Princes

Street, to say grace. Peter used as his

theme for this valedictory grace the

letter F for Fettes and later presented a

copy to the Headmaster.

An excellent lunch was served

by the Club staff and before coffee

Alastair Salvesen (Mo 1954-60) gave

a succinct résume of Michael Spens’

achievements during his time at the

helm of our school and very impressive

they were.

The Headmaster then replied and

said how much he and Debbie had

enjoyed their time at Fettes but felt that

after 19 years it was time to move on.

Ian MacIntyre thanked them for

attending the lunch and wished them

all good fortune for the future.

Peter Lee (Ca 2008-2014) has made a

remarkable recovery following his life

changing accident whilst on holiday

with his Fettes friends in the summer

of 2014. We were delighted to hear

that Peter came out of rehabilitation

in Portugal at the end of May 2017

and was finally able to travel home

to South Korea. He managed several

days in Edinburgh on his journey. OFs

pictured here were delighted to enjoy

dinner with Peter. This quote came

with the photo which needs no further

explanation. ‘It was the most incredible

evening. Peter is such an amazing

person. We are all so proud’.

Whilst back in Edinburgh, Peter

also spent time in Carrington with the

Housemaster James Weatherby and his

family and the Headmaster.

OF EVENTS

Front L-R: Rory Hardie (Ca 2012-2014), Alasdair Grassie (Gl 2008-2014),

Peter Lee (2008-2014), Jerome Lam (Moredun 2009-2014), Ben Thornton (Ca 2010-2012),

Orlando Pritchard Barrett (From Glenalmond). Back L-R: Lewis Rasmusen (2009-2014),

Ele Robertson (CW 2009-2014), Emma Weston (Ar 2009-2014), Hector McMicking (Gl 2009-

2014), Jamie Eedle (2004-2012), Rory Martin (2010-2014), Ruaraidh Gale (2009-2014)


Singapore: Nicola Pickavance (2015-Present)

and Rosie Thompson (SH 1984-1986)

Eurozone

Norval Gough kindly hosted the

2016 Eurozone Weekend in Basel

the weekend of 16th September. In

attendance were: Ralph Shabetai (Ki

1946-49), Sandy Orttewell (Ca 1954-

59) and Elaine Orttewell, Douglas

Bruce (Ca 1955-60) and Marie-Claude

Bruce, Gavin Peebles (CW 1956-60),

Norval Gough (Ar 1976-80) and Jenny

Gough. This year’s Eurozone weekend

will be hosted by John Murphy (Ki

1963-1967) on Lake Como, from 15th-

17th September 2017. One whole villa

has been booked out by OFs already!

If you would like details, please email

[email protected].

Glasgow

A small group of OFs gathered once

again on 19th February at Rogano’s in

Glasgow to enjoy a fine lunch amid fine

company, alongside Glasgow Regional

Co-ordinator and President of the OFA,

Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967).

Hong Kong/Singapore

In March, the Headmaster, Debbie

and Nicola Pickavance, Director of

Development, travelled to Asia where

they hosted three events to which all

OFs in the region were invited. The first

was a Drinks Reception in Singapore

where some 30 guests comprising

OFs, parents and prospective parents

gathered together on the rooftop

terrace of The British Club. This was

attended by the OFA Regional Secretary

for Singapore, Rosie Thompson (née

Leckie) (SH 1984-1986). Then, a couple

of days later, 60 guests including many

OFs attended a Drinks Reception at

The China Club in Hong Kong. Both

events were an opportunity for those

gathered to hear an update on recent

developments at Fettes from the

Headmaster and, of course, this being

his and Debbie’s last trip to Asia for

Fettes, to say farewell to them. Both

events were wonderful gatherings with

happy Fettes memories being shared

across the generations. Finally, on their

last day in Hong Kong, the Headmaster,

Debbie and Nicola hosted a Business

Breakfast for the Fettes Community

at law firm Minter Ellison. This venue

was kindly provided by current parent

Fred Kinmonth and allowed some 25

members of our community to gather

for business networking purposes. All in

all the trip was a great success!

On 7-9th April, Victor Tsien, Alex

Potter, William Leung and Kwong Yu

Lam had an Old Fettesian Reunion in

Hong Kong, keen to attend the Hong

Kong Rugby Sevens matches together.

They all fondly recall life in Carrington

together from 1985-1989.

L-R: Kwong Yu Lam (Ca 1985-1989),

William Leung (Ca 1985-1989), Alex Potter

(Ca 1985-1989), Victor Tsien (Ca 1985-1989)

Ireland

The fourth and final All Ireland

OFA Burns Supper was held, as in

previous years, at the Ulster Reform

Club on February 10th 2017. We were

particularly pleased to welcome our

President, Andrew Pickles Esq, who

had undertaken an arduous, yet

thankfully uneventful, journey by ferry

from Cairnryan to join us in Belfast.

Once again the all-Ireland dimension

was happily reflected by the good

number of OFs and their guests who

had travelled up from the South for the

event: most notably the Baxter Brothers

(Warren (Mo 1981-1986), David (Mo

1983-1988), Max (JS, Mo 1984-1992))

and Mr and Mrs Michael Shiell (Gl

1962-1967) all of whom have supported

this event from its inception. It would

be remiss not to mention thanks to Mia

Johnston (Da 2012-2014) for raising

at least half of the party from the

u25 group some of whom were OFs

form beyond these shores. We were

delighted to see the return of Zach

Cunningham-White (Ki 2009-2014)

who came back to Belfast again this

year despite last year’s incessant and

somewhat inane questioning: “which

Cunningham are you: Co. Antrim or

Co. Down?”. We must also give special

mention to Oscar Chan (Mo 2010-

2014) whose Fettes suit was a sartorial

joy to behold. I mentioned that this

was the final All Ireland Burns Supper

and must explain that this is due to the

fact that I have been asked to address

the haggis at the Ulster Reform Club’s

own Burns Supper and I am afraid that

The Headmaster and Debbie Spens with Hong Kong-based OFs


I do not have the constitution, despite

rigorous training over the last 25 years (a

reliable source of vexation for John Foot

(CE 1963-1967; Staff 1977-2010) in the

Glencorse years), to take on two such

events in close succession. However

I am pleased to advise that the plan is to

replace this event with a drinks party in

the Spring of 2018. Is there such a thing

as a Fettes Martini?

Jason A. Johnston (Gl 1988-1993)

London

James Macpherson (Gl 1997-2002)

once again kindly organised the London

Old Fettesian Drinks Party, held at

Gallery 8, 8 Duke Street St James’s on

17th May. London-based OFs were

treated to a private viewing of Visions

of the Scottish West Coast by Jolomo

(Dr John Lowrie Morrison OBE), while

bubbles were generously provided

by Nyetimber’s Hannah Heerema (Ar

1999-2002). OFs from a wide spread

of years attended, coming in from the

rain to share stories and make new and

renewed connections. A good time

was had by all. We hope that at the

next drinks party an even larger group

can journey on to the Golden Lion Pub

around the corner – rain be damned.

London Carol Service

On 15th December 2016 the third OFA

Carol Service was held in London at St

Michael’s, Chester Square. Over 250

OFs, family and friends joined for a

special service led by Revd Ashley Null

(Chaplain 1994-1995) and addressed

by Revd Robin Weekes (Jnr, Mo 1983-

1991). David Thomas (Director of Music

1993-1998) brilliantly coached and led a

choir made up of 20+ ex-Chapel Choir

members. After the service friendships

old and new were developed over

mulled wine and mince pies.

A retiring offering was collected for

the FetLor Youth Club in Edinburgh,

founded 85 years ago by members of

Fettes College and Loretto School.

Many thanks to the Headmaster and

to Debbie Spens for being involved in

their last OFA Carol Service as staff of

the College.

We are delighted to announce

the OFA London Carol Service will

be happening again on the 13th of

December 2017 at 7pm at St Michael’s,

Chester Square. The speaker will be

Revd Bob Marsden (Staff 1995-1999).

Do contact David Simpson (Mo 2001-

2006) if you would like to be involved

in any capacity (davidmoodysimpson@

icloud.com).

New York

The annual gathering of OFs in the USA

took place at a Dinner in the Yale Club

in New York on 28th April 2017, thanks

to the efforts of Davidson Gordon (Gl

1957-1962), the OFA’s Regional Secretary

in the area. Some 40 guests gathered for

a very pleasant dinner, which was also

attended by Michael and Debbie Spens

and Nicola Pickavance from Fettes.

Guests included several Trustees

from Fettes US-based charity, The

Friends of Fettes Inc (FFC Inc), who

do a tremendous job supporting

fundraising and assisting with the Fettes

Career Partnership Programme in the

US. Their President, Graham Cole (Ca

1961-1962), stood down at the FFC

Inc. AGM that same afternoon, so this

Dinner was a wonderful opportunity

for the Headmaster to present him

with an engraved Quaich and thank

him for his loyal service to Fettes. In

return, Graham took the opportunity

to express his gratitude to Michael and

Debbie Spens for their loyal service to

Fettes. He also wished his successor as

President, Jones Pharr (Ca 1995-1996)

very well.

This year we were also honoured

to welcome Hope Sim, the widow of

Ian Sim (Ca 1956-1960). Ian served on

the FFC Inc Board from 2011 and sadly

passed away in October 2016.

North East England

As ever there was a wonderful turn out

at the North East Dinner in Newcastle,

which was held on 13th January at the

Northumberland Golf Club. Colin

Smith (Gl 1974-1979), hosted the

Dinner, which was once again kindly

organised by OFA Regional Secretary

Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984). This

year the North East Branch of the OFA

welcomed the Headmaster and his wife

Debbie as their special guests to bid

them farewell and they were joined by

former Headmaster, Malcolm Thyne

(Staff 1988-1998). There was a fantastic

turn out with almost 60 OFs present on

the night. Those gathered heard from

their host Colin, former Head of School

Steve Baker (Gl 1979-1987) and from

the Headmaster who reminisced about

many happy evenings over the years

spent with OFs in the North East.

North West England

The North West Old Fettesian dinner

was held again this year at The Swan

with Two Nicks on 24th February.

We were delighted to welcome

the Headmaster and Debbie Spens

along with Nicola Pickavance (Staff

2015-Present) and the President of the

OFA Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967).

The Haggis was notably addressed by

Allan Paterson (SH 1975-1979) before

Chris Faux (Gl 1953-1958) updated us

on the sad death in mid November of

Ken Bett (CE 1947-1952), who for years

has addressed the Haggis in his own

unforgettable manner. We all remember

him with very fond memories and will

miss him in the future. The Headmaster

gave us a review of his time at Fettes.

We all wish him and Debbie every

happiness and good fortune for their

future, whatever that may be.

Malcolm Currie (Gl 1960-1966)

was, as usual, the very first to reply to

the invitation and we were delighted

to welcome Alexander (Gl 2004-

2006) and Jennifer Oldroyd for their

first NWOFA Dinner. Chris Eddleston

(CW 1964-1968) and his wife, Gill, flew

back from holiday especially to be

with us. Euan McMaster (Ki 1961-1965)

and Eddie made their annual trip up

from London. There were, this year 28

attendees and we hope that more may

swell our numbers next year on 23rd

February 2018.

Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968)


Northern Isles Lunch

The third Northern Isles OFA lunch,

hosted by Northern Isles Regional

Co-ordinator Barbara Graham (Gl

1975-1977) on 29th May went very well.

A party of six met at the Kirkwall Hotel

for a most enjoyable lunch. One of

the party, Alastair Skene (CE 1966-

1970), had taught physics at Kirkwall

Grammar School to Barbara’s son and

to the children of George Leslie (Ca

1949-1952) and his wife Sandra, so they

were more accustomed to seeing him

at parent – teacher evenings! It was

interesting to hear what it was like to

be at Fettes when the first girls arrived,

and at the same time as Tony Blair (Ki,

Ar 1966-1971). John Leith (Gl 1949-

1951) and George Leslie had been close

friends from the age of 12 at Fettes, are

now in their 80s, and enjoyed a laugh

about some of the things they used

to get up to. Special mention must go

to John and Muriel Leith who travelled

north from Aberdeen specially to

attend the lunch.

South Africa (Gauteng)

The 2017 Gauteng OF Reunion was

held on March 11th at the home of

Hitesh Desai (SH 1976-1981) and his

wife, Sonia, in Dainfern Golf Estate,

north of Johannesburg, on a beautiful

sunny day on Saturday 11th March.The

reunion was attended by: Don Elliot

(Ca 1966-1971) and wife, Kathy; Stephen

P Fish (SH 1980-1981) and wife, Maria;

Margaret Fish, mother of Stephen;

Colin G Macdonald (CW 1948-1953

& Staff); Mike North (CW 1946-1950)

and wife, Cilla; Fleur Rollason (Gap

year tutor 2005) and partner, Nick and

finally, outgoing Regional Co-ordinator

John Rollason (CW 1962-1966) Sonia

continued the tradition of us enjoying

themed meals and had prepared a

middle Eastern menu. Our senior

OF, Mike North, kindly delivered the

Fettes Grace.At our last reunion chez

Desai the heavens opened whilst we

were still enjoying our lunch, but on

this occasion the weather was perfect

and all thoroughly enjoyed the Desai

hospitality.John states: “I have been

Gauteng Hon Sec for more years than I

care to remember, so I was grateful that

after an excellent lunch Stephen Fish

kindly offered to take over this role, a

move that was heartily seconded and

approved by all present.”

John Rollason (CW 1962-1966)

Yorkshire

Immediately prior to taking over the

mantle of Yorkshire Regional Secretary

from Hamish Patrick (Ki 1980-1985),

Dariel Pitt (née Brown) kindly hosted

this year’s black-tie dinner in Harrogate

at The West Park Hotel on 31st March

2017. A great time was had by all, with

an intimate dinner enabling fantastic

conversation. In attendance were, from

left to right; Nick Duxbury (Ki 1978-

1983), Rob Shepherd (Mo 1978-1982),

Dariel Pitt, Dominic Busby (Ca 1982-

1986), Malcolm Scott (Gl 1973-1979),

Simone Mallett (Ar 1981-1983), Freddie

Fuller (Mo 2008-2012) and Andrew

Pickles (Ca 1962-1967).

Gauteng OF Reunion

Yorkshire

Northern Isles lunch. L-R: Alastair Skene (CE 1966-1970), Muriel

Leith, Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977), John Leith (Gl 1949-1951),

Sandra Leslie, George Leslie (Ca 1949-1952)


1930s

Vice-Admiral Sir Roderick Macdonald

(Gl 1935-1938): A cottage on Skye

where Second World War veteran

Vice Admiral Sir Roddy Macdonald

retired to paint has officially opened

as an artists’ residence by Wasps

Studios, called The Admiral’s House.

Sir Roddy’s former home near Portree

has been restored since his death in

2001, with the addition of two extra

studios in its grounds. The 79-year-old

was described by Creative Scotland as

one of the island’s “most remarkable

characters”. His wide-ranging

community involvement included as

chieftain of the Skye Highland Games

and president of the Skye Piping

Society. The keen watercolourist retired

from the Royal Navy in 1979 to paint

at the cottage at Ollach, overlooking

Raasay. Sir Roddy learned to paint at

Fettes, and is said to have taken his

brushes everywhere throughout his

40-year naval career. Early evidence of

Sir Roddy’s skill came in highly-skilled

line drawings and watercolours in

his midshipman’s journal during the

Second World War.

1940s

Sir Robert Walmsley (Gl 1954-1958):

2016 passed with the usual crop of

surprises: started 4th year as Chairman

of the new benefits system, Universal

Credit; arrival of 9th grandchild; and

appointment of my eldest daughter as

CEO of GlaxoSmithKline – a bigger job

by far than any of mine.

For 2017 I hope and expect that

David Seager also (GL 1954-1958) and

I can put various unsolicited medical

interventions behind us and resume

our frequent fishing jaunts in northern

Scotland.

1950s

Donald McNab (Ki 1946-1951): I stood

down after 25 years from running my

charity ‘Friends of Scottish Rugby’ and

raising £1M. HRH Princess Royal spoke

at my farewell dinner in the Caledonian

Club.

General John De Chastelain (CW

1950-1955): Since finishing in Ireland

in 2011, and a brief involvement since

then advising authorities in Colombia

regarding their peace negotiations with

the FARC, I am largely retired although

still involved in giving speeches and on

the boards of a number of pro bono

organizations.

Derek Ferguson (Mo 1952-1956)

has retired from Kuwait and is now

assisting in the new family venture,

GlobalGrandparents, which is an

innovative communication platform

specifically designed for families

separated by distance and time

zones to keep in touch and to share

updates, photos, videos and events.

The business has been born out of

personal experience of being a family

dispersed around the world, and, on a

personal level, it has greatly improved

the contact with his grandchildren in

Sydney who are writing almost daily

updates on his Family Activity Page,

which is wonderful. No more navigating

different sites – everything is in the

one place, stored safely to be shared

and treasured – a family history in the

making. Further details can be found at

www.globalgrandparents.com, which

includes his contact details.

Frank Evans (CE 1954-1959): I

married my fiancée Lyn in 1963 and we

had over 53 wonderful years together,

but sadly she died in February this year.

It seemed the best approach for me

was to be as active and outgoing as I

could, so what better than to go back to

rowing! When I got to Cambridge after

leaving Fettes and stood on a bridge

over the river, I really felt I wanted to

row though I had never done so before.

I was strongly advised that this was

incompatible with a science degree,

however three years later when I left I

did have a degree in physics, a fiancée

and a trophy oar – Fitzwilliam House 1st

May Boat 1961. The boats are different

now, Cornish Gigs instead of an Eight,

but the feeling is the same (and I’m

much the same weight). Too old at 76?

Well no, I keep up well and one of the

active members is 92. Life after Fettes?

Definitely, but I can see its legacy in all

this.

1960s

Douglas Bruce (Ca 1955-1960):

Following his second recital at Princeton

University as part of his 11th tour of

the US, Douglas continues his prolific

touring schedule as an organist, with

recitals in Germany, Ukraine and

Poland.

Richard Thorpe (CW 1956-

1961): I have after four years recently

completed the editing of Kenneth Rose

Journals, 1944-2014. Weidenfeld and

Nicolson are going to publish the book

– a volume of about 100 pages – in April

2018. The title is Who’s In, Who’s Out: The

Journals of Kenneth Rose, 1944-2014.

Stuart Murray (Mo 1961-1966):

Calling all O.F. golfers in the south east.

Please get in touch. stuart.murray@

murraywise.com

Ed Todd (Gl 1961-1966): I “retired”

from the position of Director of USA

Rugby Referee Department in 2014,

but remain on contract. I spend most

my time on Discipline and Appeals, a

role that has spread to World Rugby

for whom I’ve been the Delegated

Disciplinary Officer at the HSBC Sevens

for both the men and women the last

two years, as well as last year’s historic

test match between New Zealand and

Ireland in Soldier Field. I’ve also been

OF NEWS


Match Commissioner for a number of

test matches over the last two years.

Not bad for a 2nd XVer.

Michael Gascoigne (Ki 1962-1967):

I can reveal, some 49 years on, that,

in the left-hand photo on page 102

of A Keen Wind Blows, the right-hand

bridesmaid is me, aged just 14. It was

the Kimmerghame House Play which

was put on in the Spring term of 1963

(the photo’s text is incorrect in that

respect).

John Lang (Ca 1962-1967): I have

just completed a three week adventure

in Namibia, which included seven days

under canvas on the Skeleton Coast

and in the Red Desert, supporting

about 100 ultra-marathoners who

were competing in a 250km race.

Duties included rising every morning

at 4.30am in order to set up and man

the various checkpoints. Temperatures

reached 45 degrees C in the desert and

about 20% of the contestants dropped

out of the race. En route to Namibia, I

stopped off in Johannesburg for two

nights and enjoyed a dinner reunion

with John Rollason (CW 1962-1966),

who used to be the OFA’s Regional

Secretary for the Gauteng region of

South Africa.

Doug Chalmers (Gl 1964-1969):

A memory: I was Captain of cricket in

the year that the famous Glencorse fire

occurred and at the time was playing

"at home" under the guidance of David

Pighills (Staff 1960-1975). Being a

resident of Glencorse I hurried back to

house during the tea break in the Pavilion

to see my dormitory etc going up in

smoke. I reported back to the Pavilion

and advised David Pighills (Staff 1960-

1975) of the news to be told not to worry

about it and that if I continued with my

in swinging bowling then we had a good

chance of winning the game! After the

game I joined the rest of the Glencorse

contingent who were making their way

to Arniston as this had almost been

completed (but had no contents or any

other furnishings) and by the evening

it had become our “new home”. There

were mattresses on the floor (no beds)

and as I was still in cricket whites (having

lost all other belongings and clothing in

the fire). There was a large cardboard

box in the foyer where all other pupils

could "donate" spare clothes to the

Glencorse men!

1970s

Jack Cowdy (Mo 1967-1970): This is

the 50th anniversary of the four OFs

(pictured) arrival at Fettes. I arrived

January 1967, Chris Brown (Mo 1967-

1971) arrived summer term 1967 and

Willy (Mo 1967-1970) and George

Morgan (Mo 1967-1970), ‘the Morgan

twins’ arrived September 1967.

L-R: Chris Brown, Ann Peebles (a friend

and pupil at St George’s while we were at

Fettes), Jack Cowdy, George Morgan, Willy

Morgan

The photo commemorates our own

reunion on 13th April 2017. Willy, George

and I have met up from time to time

over the years but this is the first time

that Chris Brown has been with us all

since 1970.

I live near London as does Chris

Brown. Willy Morgan currently lives in

Acapulco, Mexico and George lives in

Bangkok, Thailand so this reunion was

not easy to coordinate!

Dr Antony Wong (Ca 1974-1979):

Antony is married with two daughters,

and is a dental surgeon at BUPA in

London.

Colin Grassie (Mo 1974-1979): The

Scottish Rugby Board unanimously

voted Colin as its new Chairman, taking

over from Sir Moir Lockhead OBE

with effect from 1 January 2017. Colin

joined the Scottish Rugby Board as an

Independent Non-Executive Director

in July 2012 having been UK CEO and

a member of the Group Executive

Committee at Deutsche Bank. He was

re-appointed to the Scottish Rugby

Board in July 2015 and will take on the

role of Chairman for a 3-year period

commencing in January 2017. Scottish

Rugby CEO Mark Dodson said: “In

Colin we are fortunate to have another

highly experienced business leader to

help us deliver on our strategic plans to

secure the game for the future and I am

looking forward to working closely with

him in the coming years.”

Alastair Reid (Mo 1970-1975): I

continue to serve as Headmaster at

Ballard School, New Milton, Hampshire.

My wife, Rosalyn, was a Latin teacher

at a neighbouring Prep School and

recently successfully helped prepare a

pupil for entrance to Fettes. Our three

children are all married and we have

a three year old grandson. Recently

I turned 60 and had a surprise party

at Ballard with friends and family

over several generations attending –

including Dr Peter Coshan (Staff 1972-

2005) who started his teaching at Fettes

when I was there as a ‘new man’.

Andrew Lownie (Mo 1974-1979)

is a literary agent, broadcaster and

writer. He is a trustee of the Campaign

for Freedom of Information and

President of the Biographers Club.

He has just held a visiting fellowship

at Churchill College, Cambridge and

been elected a Fellow of the Royal

Historical Society. His most recent


book Stalin’s Englishman: The Lives of

Guy Burgess won the St Ermin’s Hotel

Intelligence Book of the Year and

has been published worldwide. It is

currently being made into both a BBC

documentary and a film. He is now

writing a joint life of Dickie and Edwina

Mountbatten.

1980s

Lindsay Buchan (Gl 1976-1981): was

listed by Country Life in their “Secret

Diary” feature as one of only four

Scottish Architects in their top 100

Architects, Builders and Interior and

landscape Designers in Britain.

Andrew Macdonell (SH 1979-1984)

is settled in East London, South Africa;

where he lives with his wife, Claude, and

two teenage daughters. He continues

to work as a Consulting Engineer in the

Rural Water Supply sector. He is an active

member of the local Caledonian Society

and, for 2016-17, was elected Provincial

Chieftain of all the Caledonian Societies

in the Cape Province.

1990s

Grace Tam (CE 1988-1992): obtained

her PhD in Psychology in 2016 from

Northcentral University in the USA.

Adam Gordon (Ki 1988-1992): My

wife and I had our second child on

January 28th; a girl called Òran Lesley

Jean Gordon. I acquired Social Media

Search, the company I founded in 2009,

from my joint-venture partner Norman

Broadbent plc on December 30th and

have also launched Candidate.ID, the

world’s first talent pipeline software

platform. I celebrated my 40th birthday

with a party at Pollokshields Burgh Hall

on 9th March. Sarah Chambers (née

McCaig) (Ar 1991-1994), Piers MacLeod

(Gl 1988-1995), Gordon MacFarlane (Ki

1988-1993), Helen McCallin (Ar 1990-

1995), Charlie Keenan (Gl 1990-1995),

Kay Bennett (Ar 1990-1995), Sam Paton

(Mo 1987-1992), Mark Henderson (Mo

1988-1995). Also present Catherine

Gordon (Inv 1991-1992).

Emma Vandore (CE 1991-1993) and

Paul Kanabahita welcomed a daughter,

Grace Hilary, on 12th December

2015. She is a happy, smiley, laughing

little girl who likes singing, dancing,

banging things, splashing, reading and

scribbling.

2000s

Debbie Gore (CW 1992-2000)

married Brian Stephen O’Connell on

25th February 2017 at Le Talbooth

in Dedham, Suffolk. They were

surrounded by family and friends, and

enjoyed a Scottish Ceilidh.

Otto Bell (Ki 1996-2000): After

a career in advertising, this year saw

the release of The Eagle Huntress,

a Kazakh-language documentary

produced and directed by Otto, about

a young Mongolian girl attempting to

become the first female eagle hunter

to compete in the eagle festival at Ulgii.

Narrated and executive produced

by Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley and

with a soundtrack featuring singer-

songwriter Sia, the film was shortlisted

for an Academy Award for Best

Documentary Feature and was a BAFTA

Award nominee.

Dr Neil Mackenzie (1993-2001):

Following his tragic death in a climbing

accident in 2015, Neil’s family have set

up The Neil Mackenzie Trust, which

gives grants to residents in Scotland

for outdoor skills training, and for

expeditions and challenging adventures

to people who would otherwise not be

able to afford them.

The Bell’s Bothy Challenge is a

year-long, worldwide event and the

main fundraising event of 2017. It is a

“positive challenge” for anyone who

wants to test themselves, improve the

environment, meet and make friends,

raise money for the Trust, and help

to publicise the Trust by encouraging

donations and posting on the blog.

Although the main event took place at

Camasunary in early May and early July,

anyone can participate, anywhere in

the world, at any time during the year.

The first participants, two great friends

of Neil’s, Lewis (Gl 1998-2002) and Jorg

Luyken (Gl 1997-2003), canoed down

part of the Murray River, in Australia in

January. Their trip report can be seen

in the Blog section of the Trust website.

theneilmackenzietrust.wordpress.com

Amie Routledge (Ar 1994-2002):

After leaving Fettes, Amie studied

Architecture at Newcastle University

and went on to work for some of

Edinburgh’s leading commercial

practices before fully qualifying in

2013. Yearning a change in creative and

professional scenery, she then enrolled

in the HND Garden Design programme

at SRUC Edinburgh, graduating

with a distinction and setting up

AJR Greenspace in 2016. Drawing

from her architectural background,

she offers over a decade of design

experience, a keen eye for detail and,

above all, a passion for rejuvenating

landscapes. Amie has just returned

from RHS Chelsea where the nursery

The Fettes contingent at Adam Gordon’s 40th


was awarded its fifth consecutive

gold medal. Plants have become a

major passion in Amie’s life and she

wholeheartedly believes in the positive

effect of green spaces, regardless of

scale, in the hustle and bustle of our

busy everyday lives.

Should you wish to contact

Amie, please do so using amie@

ajrgreenspace.com or visit her website

www.ajrgreenspace.com

Chris Park (Ki 1996-2002) and

Christine Harris became parents to

Eleanor Maria on 31st May 2016.

Lynsey Balfour (née MacDonald

CE 1995-2003): Lynsey got married

on Saturday 8th April to Michael

Balfour. They had a wonderful day

and the weather was stunning. She

felt fortunate to have so many of her

Fettesian friends celebrating with her,

who after 14 years are still her dearest

friends.

All four bridesmaids were OFs:

Charlotte Douglas (CW 1999-2003),

Olivia Hunter (CE 1997-2003), Catriona

Gamble (CW 1998- 2003) and Muriel

Taylor (née Macpherson) (CE 1996-

2003).

They had an OF mini pipe band,

one drummer and three pipers – Pipe

Band: Edward Young (Ki 1998-2003)

and the Red Hot Fettes Pipers; James

Bartolo (Gl 1998-2003), Chris Medlock

(Ca 1998- 2003) and Hamish Irvine

Robertson (Gl 1997-2003).

Bell Ringers; Jamie MacKenzie (Ca

1996-2003) and Alexander Cadzow

(Ca 1996-2003).

Oliver Lang (Ca 1999-2004): I

graduated from Bath University in

2009 with a Masters degree in Civil &

Architectural Engineering and returned

to Hong Kong (where I was born)

to work. I obtained my MICE (Civil

Engineering Chartership) in record

time (minimum working time before

sitting the review is three years, I did it

in three years and six days and passed

first time), and worked for a further

year, unsatisfied. It was a real struggle to

imagine myself in a job that didn’t have

decent financial prospects and perhaps

a respected/successful title, but after

a lot of internal conflict, I quit my job,

travelled a little and spent one of the

best years of my life in New Zealand on

an intense 1-year course to obtain my

Diploma in Outdoor Education. I never

thought in a million years that I would

want to ‘teach’ but when I saw the

profound impact these adventures had

on kids and adults alike, I was moved

and pursued a career in the outdoors.

The pay is much less, the hours are

longer but I am by far a happier person

and I feel like I am doing something

impactful – both to people’s lives and

to the environment by exposing clients

to our beautiful outdoors and the

tremendously detrimental impact we

currently have on it. These courses are

far more than fun outdoor pursuits –

they force the clients to look up from

their devices, learn how to interact with

their peers and create a connection

with each other and everything around

them.

Dennis Ho (Gl 2000-2004) got

married to Doris Cheng on 12 November

2016 at the Airport World Trade Centre

Club in Hong Kong, with Andy Ng (Ki

2000-2004) officiating as the best man.

In attendance were Kate Chan (CE

2000-2004) and Andy’s wife Phoebe.

Richard Yardley (Ki 2003-2005):

married Miss Lucy Pearsall 0n 9th July

2016.

Arran Black (Mo 2000-2007): After

leaving Fettes some ten years back, my

partner and I opened our first children’s

nursery in Barnton (Edinburgh) last year.

We are seven months in, and just got

shortlisted for the NDNA’s Nursery of

the Year award (one of three in Scotland

and the only one in Edinburgh). I believe

Lynsey Balfour (nee MacDonald CE 1995-2003) wedding: The photo from top to bottom:

Jamie MacDonald (Gl 1995-2001); Ben Pentland (Gl 2001-2003); Oliver Cotterell (Gl 1996-

2003); Alexander Cadzow (Ca 1996-2003); James Bartolo (Gl 1998-2003); Sondra Baxter

(née Sheriff) (CW 1996-2003); Edward Young (Ki 1998-2003); Chris Medlock (Ca 1998-

2003); Dominique Adams (CE 2000-2003); Francesca Macintosh-Walker (née Walford)

(Ar 1997-2003); Natasha Edwards (née Dempsey) (Ar 1999-2003); Olivia Hunter (CE 1997-

2003); Charlotte Douglas (CW 1999-2003); Lynsey Balfour (née MacDonald) (CE 1995-

2003); Muriel Taylor (née Macpherson) (CE 1996-2003); Daniela Quillet (née Pickup)

(CE 1999-2001); Helen Rollo (Ar 1999-2003); Catriona Gamble (CW 1998- 2003); Kirsten

Robertson (née Waddell CE 2002-2003); Jamie MacKenzie (Ca 1996-2003); Hamish Irvine

Robertson (Gl 1997-2003); Thomas Ogilvy (Ki 1996-2003); Frank Gamble (CW 1966-1970)

(missing from the photo)


we even have a Fettes staff member on

the waiting list.

www.flyingcoloursnursery.co.uk

Blair Bonar-Campbell (Mo 2003-

2008) became a father to identical

twins Giorgia and Emilia on the 6th

March 2017.

2010s

Michael Brideoake Gray (Mo 2003-

2010) was commissioned from

Sandhurst in August last year into The

Royal Regiment of Scotland, and is now

a 2nd Lt. with the Black Watch, which is

the 3rd Batt. Of the R.R.of S.

Stuart Pringle (Mo 2007-2012)

got an MEng (1st Class Hons) at

Northumbria University.

News From The College

Scottish Design Award

Page\Park Architect’s recently

completed project for Fettes

College, the Spens Building, won a

Scottish Design Award recently in

the “Education Building” category:

www.scottishdesignawards.com/

scottish-design-awards/scottish-design-

awards-2017#60006. Now in its 20th

year, the Scottish Design Awards reward

top architecture firms and design

agencies for their contribution to the

country’s historic and contemporary

design culture. The awards are open

to all Scottish companies and those

outwith who have a Scottish client.

The awards are exclusive to Scotland

to celebrate the best design and

architecture in the country.

Tatler Public School of the Year Award

It was an exhilarating moment at the

Tatler Schools Awards ceremony, which

was held at the London Landmark Hotel

on Thursday 8th September, when

Fettes College was announced as the

winner of the Tatler Award for the Public

School of the Year 2016.

Everyone at Fettes College is

delighted and honoured that the

school has received this highly coveted

accolade. The Tatler Schools Guide

has become the definitive reference

for those seeking information and

guidance about potential schools for

their children, and the Editors of the

Guide are rigorous and discerning in

their research of individual schools.

Winning this award is a powerful

testament to the qualities of the pupils

and the staff, and to all members of the

wider Fettes community.

FetLor Building Completed

FetLor Youth Club was established

in 1924 in memory of the 387 young

Officers of Fettes College and Loretto

School who lost their lives in the First

World War. It has served generations

of Edinburgh’s young people since,

adapting to their changing needs. Ten

years ago FetLor launched an ambitious

campaign to build a dedicated youth

work hub for North Edinburgh’s young

people. This marvellous new facility,

opened towards the end of 2016, has

now been completed and is serving the

needs of hundreds of children every

week. The FetLor Board are hugely

grateful to those who have made

this possible: the donors, including

many OFs, who had faith to back

their ambition, the professionals who

worked with young people to create

an inspirational space that will serve

the community for generations and the

many individuals who, in their own way,

just made it happen. The young people

themselves also played a part in raising

funds for their Club and helped to raise

the £2.6 million that was required to

make this project happen. The Board is

now working with a team of dedicated

staff to build and run a youth work

programme that will deliver on its

commitment to North Edinburgh. To

read more about what is happening at

FetLor today please visit their website:

www.fetlor.org.uk

Professor Sir Angus Deaton

(Gl 1959-1964)

On Sunday 11th June, Fettes College

was honoured to welcome OF and

Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Angus

Deaton to Chapel and to open the

Spens Building immediately afterwards.

Professor Deaton is currently Professor

of Economics and International Affairs

at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public

and International Affairs at Princeton

University. He was in Edinburgh for

a few days with some of Princeton’s

most generous donors who enjoyed a

packed programme of events across

the city including an event at St Giles

Cathedral, featuring Fettes musicians.

Professor Sir Angus addressed

the School in Chapel speaking about

the Nobel Prize, how it was awarded,

his current work, his early life and

some wonderful Fettes memories.

He also spoke of his father’s ambition

for him to attend Fettes and of how

grateful he was to receive a Foundation

Scholarship. He then officially opened

the magnificent Spens Building for the

students of Fettes College. The whole

School assembled to watch Professor

Sir Angus unveil a special carved stone

to mark this momentous day.

FetLor www.photographyandfloorplans.co.uk


1940s

Alexander Colquhoun “Sandy”

Grant OBE (Ca 1940-1944) born 4th

October 1926 in Rangoon where his

father worked; Died 16th March 2017 in

Kirriemuir. Younger brother of the late

Jim Grant (Ca 1938-1942). He attended St

Mary’s School in Melrose before coming

to Fettes College. While studying Law

at Edinburgh University he was active

in amateur dramatics. On retiring from

Nigeria, he settled in Kirriemuir, taking

an active role in communal, social and

church life. He bought, did up and

expanded Inverquharity Castle, living

there until its sale, which was notably

featured in the documentary film Keys

To The Castle, for which director Darren

Hercher won a Scottish BAFTA.

Neil Herbert (Ki 1940-1944) passed

away on 17th February 2017. On leaving

Fettes College Neil was called up,

serving with the Fleet Air Arm for two

years before, on being demobbed, he

went to the Heriot-Watt College to gain

a Nat. Dipl. & A.H.W.C. in Mechanical

Engineering training with I.C.I. and then

Nobels Explosives Co.

Mike McGeorge Mo (1941-1945)

Regional Co-ordinator for Zimbabwe

Mike McGeorge sadly passed away

in April 2017 at the age of 89. Always

proud of being an Old Fettesian, Mike

was a key driver of many fantastic Old

Fettesian gatherings. His family are

coming to visit Fettes College in the

summer, a trip that was to be part of a

90th birthday celebration for Mike, but

will now be a reflection on his life, but a

celebration nonetheless.

Alexander Hamish Philip Grant

(Ca 1946-1948) passed away on 17th

October 2016, on what was the 62nd

anniversary of his marriage to Joyce. Son

of D.W. (Mo 1909-1913), Hamish was in

the shooting VIII, returning to Argentina

running on his ranch in Vivorata,

province of Buenos Aires. He was a

stalwart of the OF community there.

Major Peter Noel Thompson (CW

1945-1948) passed away in January

2017. One of the Newmen in Tom

Goldie-Scot’s half of Schoolhouse in

the East, but settling a year later as S.W.

or College West, Peter spent a year

doing the General Course in the VIth,

was in the Naval Section and debated.

On leaving he joined the Royal Marines

serving in Malaya, Cyprus, Suez, Malay

Peninsular and the Persian Gulf before

retiring to London.

Atholl Iain McCrostie (Gl 1944-1948)

passed away on 29th September

2016, aged 86. Born 13th January 1930.

Husband to Patricia, Father to Karen

and Charles and Grandfather to Lauren

and Bryony. A funeral service was

held at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery

Chapel on Thursday 13th October

2016. After graduating from Edinburgh

University and completing his National

Service, Mr McCrostie was admitted

to membership of ICAS, the Scottish

professional body of Chartered

Accountants, on 26th March 1958.

After qualifying, he took a position with

Thomson McLintock & Co, was later

General Manager at Smith MacKenzie

& Co Ltd, and prior to retirement was

Financial Director at Gilman & Co Ltd

(Inchcape).

Keith Randolph Stephen-Evans

(CW 1945-1949) passed away on 14th

October 2016. A stalwart member of

College West, Keith was in the Classical

VIth and fully involved in many out of

school activities – choir, chess, debating

and natural history. He left to do his

two years National Service with R.A.S.C.

before training with the Roy. Insur.

Co. Ltd to become a Claims Manager,

retiring in 1988 to be a Director of The

Abbeyfield Reading Society Ltd., and

Church Treasurer.

Jock Smith (Ca 1944-1949) President

of OFA 1996-1998, died peacefully at

home on Wednesday 13th July 2016.

John was beloved and caring husband

to Rion, a loving father to Mark, Andrew

and Diana and loving grandfather to

Jessica, Luke, Miranda, Venetia, Angus,

William and Ollie. A service was held

at Warriston Crematorium Lorimer

Chapel, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 26th

July.

Jock was a member of the Law

Society Council for 15 years, joining

as the council representative for

Stonehaven, Peterhead and Banff in the

early 80s and serving as president 1987-

88. He retired from Council in 1996.

During Jock’s presidential year he

steered the society and the profession

SADLY DEPARTED

We would like to extend our warmest thanks to those family members, colleagues and friends who have notified us of the deaths of

the Old Fettesians listed in this edition of the Newsletter. This list includes news of Old Fettesian deaths we have been made aware of

this year up until mid-June 2017. If you know of any omissions, please do let us know by emailing [email protected] or by telephoning

0131 311 6741. Throughout the year, when we are notified of the death of an Old Fettesian we update our website, viewable at

www.fettescommunity.com/#sadlydeparted.


through a period of immense change,

including the introduction of the first

ever advertising rules for Scottish

solicitors, the establishment of the

new Legal Aid Board in Scotland and

the coming into force of the Financial

Services Act 1986.

Jock was instrumental in securing

the best possible arrangements for

Scottish solicitors in the new UK

financial services regime. He was a

very skillful negotiator and excellent

ambassador on behalf of the

profession. He held clear views as to

how the profession had to adapt to the

demands of modern business while

maintaining the highest professional

and ethical standards.

1950s

Alexander Graham Cairns Smith (Ca

1945-1950) was born 24th November

1931, in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. Died,

26th August, 2016, in Uplawmoor,

East Renfrewshire, aged 85. The ideas

of Edinburgh-educated Scottish

scientist Alexander Graham Cairns-

Smith about the origins of life and

consciousness struck a chord with

the popular imagination in the 1980s,

and today are still being explored. The

most striking among his propositions,

the “clay hypothesis”, has been the

subject of television programmes,

books, and lectures around the world.

This is the idea that the workings of

complex structures such as DNA – “the

building-block of life”, of which the

molecular make-up was discovered

in 1953 – may have been preceded by

similar processes in minerals such as

clay. The way that tiny crystals in clay, an

inorganic substance, continually break

and re-form as “daughter” crystals,

he suggested, may have prefigured

genetic activity, and their patterns may

have been taken over by more complex

organic molecules – the beginnings of

life. His book Seven Clues to the Origin

of Life (1985) caused controversy and

inspired new thought. It has been

translated into nine languages and sold

more than 40,000 copies. Known to

friends and family as Graham, Cairns-

Smith did his first degree, in chemistry,

at Edinburgh University and completed

his PhD there before transferring, in

the 1950s, to an academic career at

the University of Glasgow. Glasgow

University made him an Honorary

Senior Research Fellow, and he

was a Fellow of the Royal Society of

Edinburgh. Cairns-Smith was for the first

20 years of his university career also a

noted artist, giving one-man exhibitions

of his landscape and abstract works

in watercolour and oils. When in 1972

Cairns-Smith decided to give up his art

to concentrate on organic chemistry

and molecular biology, his then art

master, the figurative painter William

Crosbie, is said to have reproached him:

“A pity you chose science.” As Senior

Lecturer and Reader in Chemistry at

the University of Glasgow, Cairns-Smith

became a much-loved teacher. His wife

and two daughters, and his sister, Joan,

and brother, Michael, survive him.

Dr Bruce Moreton Henderson (Ki 1946-

1951) passed away on 13th October,

2015 surrounded by his loving family,

aged 81. Dr Henderson was born

in Sao Paulo Brazil. He received his

medical degree from the University

of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1958 and

completed surgical residency training

at the University of Alberta Hospital and

Miami Valley Hospital. He followed this

with a paediatric surgical fellowship

at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He

received his training in paediatric

urology at Mass. General. Upon

completion of his training, the lure of

the gulf enticed Dr Henderson to make

Corpus Christi and Driscoll Children’s

Hospital his home.

For almost 40 years, Dr Henderson

provided surgical care to thousands

of children with serious congenital

abnormalities, traumatic injuries

and acute surgical emergencies.

He performed countless life-saving

operations that made lasting

differences in the lives of extremely

premature infants, children and

adolescents. For many of those years,

Dr Henderson worked without a

partner as the sole paediatric surgeon

at Driscoll. During that time, he was

selflessly committed to his patients and

never refused to see a sick or injured

child, no matter the time of the day

or ability to pay. Dr Henderson was

indissolubly committed to the care of

children and exemplified the very best

of what the ethos of being a doctor is

all about.

Dr Henderson served as Chief of

Staff and Chief of Surgery in addition

to many other leadership roles at

Driscoll. He was a visionary, introducing

new techniques and technology to

reduce complications and improve

recovery times which later became

the standard of care in paediatric

surgery. He continuously advocated for

children and families to ensure that all

children had the opportunity to lead

productive lives. In 2003, the National

Conference for Community and Justice

(NCCJ) presented Dr Henderson with

it esteemed Humanitarian Award in

recognition for his many years of service

to the children of South Texas.

In his limited free time, Dr

Henderson most enjoyed spending

time with his family and sailing on his

beloved boat The Jinty (seven different

boats each named in honour of his

wife). He is survived by his devoted

and much loved wife of 57 years,

Janette, sons Adrian (Mary), Chad and

Craig (Jennifer), daughters Angela

(Chris), Marina and Melanie (Rip) and

10 grandchildren, Andrew, Cameron,

Aiden, Abarrane, Brady, Cormac, Kara,

James, Chad and Anderson all of whom

will miss him dearly.

Alan Jackson (CW 1947-1952) passed

away on the 7th February tragically

followed a week later by his wife Jean.

Alan was solid member of College West

– House Prefect, Choir, Photographer

and playing for the 2nd XV and 3rd XI.

He was a Cadet (1st Class) in the R.A.F

Section which led to his career with

the RAF from 1959 -94, rising to Group

Captain and being awarded the O.B.E.

In retirement he was editor of Through

the Green, the Brit. Golf Collectors Soc.

Quarterly Journal.

Ian B Purvis (Mo 1947-1952) passed

away on 1st November 2016. Husband

to Suzy, loving father of Jenny and Mark

and grandfather. Moredun House


Prefect whilst at school, Ian was in

the English VI and Sgt. I the CCF. On

leaving he did his National Service

with the Black Watch then as a Capt.

R.A.S.C. (T.A.) from 54-62. He read Law

at Southampton graduating in Law in

1959. He became a Barrister 60 and Sen.

Leg. Adv. & Gen. Counsel, Age Concern

England.

Kenneth Bett (CE 1947-1952) passed

away on 17th November 2016. Kenneth

is greatly missed by all those who

knew him. He was a generous, kind

gentleman who was much liked by

those with whom he came in contact.

Beloved husband of Margaret and

father of Andrew, Alison and Alasdair.

John Laurence Boyd (Gl 1948-1953)

formerly of St. Andrews, passed away

peacefully, at home in Devon, on 6th

May, surrounded by his family, loving

husband of Pat and father to Marion,

James and Anne Louise, affectionate

grandfather to Jessica, Tom, Josh and

Jasmin, brother to Mary and the late

Robert (Gl 1952-1955). A service of

Thanksgiving was held in Chagford,

Devon in December.

Frank Olaf Steenberg (Mo 1950-1954)

of Corbridge, Northumberland, passed

away on 18th May, aged 80. Loving

husband to Brigitta of more than 50

years and father to Axel, Catrina and

Christian, affectionate grandfather to

Jamie, Poppy, Ellen, Cara and Anayia,

brother of the late Richard (Mo 1940-

1943), uncle to Nicholas (Mo 1969-

1973) and Julian (Mo 1978-1980).

A service of Thanksgiving will be held

in Corbridge, Northumberland, in June.

Dr George Hartley de Goldthorp

Hanson (CW 1950-1955) passed away

on 2nd February 2017, one day short

of his 80th birthday. When Hartley

left Fettes he studied medicine at

Kings College Newcastle which at that

time was part of Durham University.

After qualifying he worked for a time

in the E.N.T. department of the Royal

Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, before

specialising in micro-biology becoming

a Senior Registrar. He then moved to

General Practice in Pelton, County

Durham, from which he retired early

following a myocardial infarction.

During his time at university he played

rugby with the Medicals RFU and was

cox of both the University and county

eights. He was Senior Medical Officer

of the Tyne Division RNR and the

Royal Marine Reserve, receiving the

Territorial Decoration. He was also a

keen Freemason belonging to several

orders and being awarded a fifty year

certificate. He was very widely read

and possessed a phenomenal memory,

taking delight in solving the Telegraph/

Times crosswords without filling in

the answers He was unmarried and

there are no known children. He was,

however a respected Great Uncle to

Bob Hanson’s (CW 1947-1953) five

grandchildren.

David Walker Shepherd (Gl 1953-

1956) on 27th June 2015 aged 76. Our

apologies go to David’s family for the

delay in publishing this notice of his

passing. This tribute was written a few

months after David’s death by his sister,

Anne Weatherhead, who at that time

was back living in Kirriemuir where

she and David were brought up. Since

then, Anne and her husband, The Very

Rev James Weatherhead CBE, a former

moderator of the general assembly

to the Church of Scotland, who was a

governor of Fettes in the 1990’s, have

moved to Edinburgh. Sadly James

Weatherhead passed away in May 2017.

David W. Shepherd died in June 2015

in British Columbia, having spent all his

adult life in Canada. His leadership and

management skills were recognised

not only in the automobile dealerships

he led, but also in the prominent part

he played in the development of the

sport of pickleball within Canada. Golf

remained his main sporting interest,

however, having been nurtured by his

father on the attractive small course

in Kirriemuir, during holidays from

Lathallan and Fettes. His ready smile,

gentle manner and pleasing personality

remained with him throughout his

life, making him a friend to many. He

developed a very personal interest in

international relations and will be sorely

missed by his wife Shirley, two sons and

a daughter and by his sister Anne.

Frans ten Bos (Gl 1951-1956), born April

21st 1937, died September 1st 2016, aged

79. Frans was an English-born rugby

player of Dutch parentage who played

for Scotland, winning 17 caps between

1959 and 1963.

His family fled when the Nazis

invaded in 1940. Frans’s pilot father, so

the story goes, was on the Nazis’ “most

wanted” list and he drove his family

across France to Bordeaux, where they

boarded a cocoa boat heading from

West Africa to Britain. Young Frans was

subsequently evacuated – alongside,

as he recalled, a great many “wee

Glaswegians” – to Argyllshire. Struck

dumb by his experiences – not speaking

a word of either Dutch or English – the

three-year-old Frans was sitting with

his mother and some friends having

tea at the Rusacks hotel in St Andrews,

overlooking the Old Course, when a

Spitfire roared over the bay from the

nearby Leuchars base.

Frans, in broadest Glaswegian,

cried: “There’s mah dah-dy!” His

mother, horrified by the accent, quickly

packed him off to prep school. He

attended Lathallan Prep School, before

moving on to Fettes College, then the

strongest rugby school in Scotland, its

First XV not losing a school match in five

years. Frans was a dominant figure in

that team, though its mastermind was

the future Scotland and British Lions

fly-half, Gordon Waddell.

After National Service as a second

lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland

Highlanders, he went to Oxford

University, at a time when Oxford

and Cambridge Blues still regularly

featured in international teams while

still undergraduates. It was no surprise

when Scotland selected him for the

Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham in

1959. He was one of three Fettesians

in that Scotland XV, the others being

Waddell and James Shackleton. The

game ended in a draw 3-3.

The broadcaster Bill McLaren told

an anecdote about the powerful ten

Bos, recalling that after a dinner in Paris,

the night before a game against France,


he and Hugh McLeod, the “Hawick

hardman”, bumped into ten Bos.

“Frans,” said McLeod, “ye think ye’re

a guid forrit but really ye’re just a big

lump of potted meat. If ah was half yer

size, I’d pick up the first two Frenchmen

that looked at me in the morn and

ah’d chuck them right over the bloody

stand.” Ten Bos tapped McLaren on the

shoulder and said: “You know, I’d follow

him anywhere.” Scotland won a rare

away victory the next day.

Ten Bos had a successful printing

business in London and, after selling

up, retired to Glen Prosen in Angus.

There he enjoyed shooting, fishing and

playing golf, and was re-acquainted

with many of his old school rugby

adversaries, some of them still bearing

the scars to prove it.

He is survived by his wife Teresa

and his three daughters from his first

marriage.

John Malvern FRCSE FRCOG (CE 1951-

1956) died peacefully on 5th February

2017, aged 79. Beloved husband of

Katharine and father of Susan, Joanna

and Jack. Leaving school in April 1956,

John went south to London Hosp.

Med. Coll. where he shone winning

the Anatomy Prize, Captain of Squash

gaining his B.Sc. (1st Cl. & Schol) in 1961.

From then on the record is relentlessly

upward – L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. 63; M.B., B.S.

63; F.R.C.S.E. 68; F.R.C.O.G. 70, Council

77-98, Hon. Treas. 91-98; Cons.Obst. &

Gyn. Surg; Queen Charlotte & Chelsea

Hosp. 73-01 (Emeritus 02-); Hon Gyn

Surg., King Edward V11 Hosp. for Officers

(St. Agnes). As well as this his interests

were wide – Wine Tasting, Adv. Cert.

Wines & Spirits (Class1) 02; Cellarer

R.C.O.G. 03; Travel; Arts; Clubs: Royal

Society of Medicine; Worshipful Society

of Apothecaries; Gynaecological visiting

Society; Queen Charlottes Dining Club;

Edwardian Club; Hurlingham Club; Rolls

Royce and Jaguar owners Club.

Roderick (Roddy) Forbes Jones (Mo

1953-1958) died on September 30th

2016, leaving his wife Sue and sons Alex

and Nick. There was a celebration of

Roddy’s life took place at Dunblane

Cathedral, on Monday, October 10,

preceded by private committal at

Falkirk Crematorium.

After Fettes Roddy graduated

B.Comm at McGill University and

then qualified as a C.A in Edinburgh.

Following a spell in South Africa he

joined his father, Forbes Jones (Mo 1924-

29) in the family iron-founding business,

Jones&Campbell, in Grangemouth

and spent the rest of his working life

there. Sadly, his retiral coincided with

the firm’s closure because it could

not contend with heavily subsidised

continental competition. Roddy was

also a non-executive director of James

Jones Ltd and Stella-Jones International,

both timber business, the first in the UK

and the second in Canada.

Roddy was a fine and competitive

golfer, always demonstrating the keen

eye for a ball inherited form his father,

who in his day had been a notable

cricketer and played for Scotland in

the 1930’s. As well as playing in Old

Fettesian outings and matches, Roddy

golfed at Brora, where he and Sue had

a holiday house, and at Muirfield where

he took part in a large number of Club

matches during his retirement.

Roddy and Sue also holidayed

on Colonsay for many years enjoying

the freedom of its countryside and

beaches. Roddy was a gentleman in

every sense, who is sadly missed by his

extended family and many friends.

Dr Norman (Nick) Keith Ian McIver,

OBE (CW 1954-1959) died in hospital

on 15th September 2016 aged 76.

Born in 1940, Norman Keith Ian McIver

(“Nick”) was the key UK diving physician

during the early years of the North

Sea oil industry. He pioneered clinical

treatments, medical support for the

offshore gas industry, and medical

standards. He also worked as a GP

for 28 years. In 1982 Nick became an

early member and later fellow of

the newly established Faculty of

Occupational Medicine. He was diving

medical consultant to the top UK, US,

and Norwegian oil and construction

companies and supported many

diving projects in the Far and Middle

East remotely from the UK. He was

president of his local BMA division in

1990 and retired as the senior partner

in Gorleston Medical Practice in 2000.

He continued with consultancy work

in occupational medicine until 2006.

Much loved husband of Rita, father

of Catherine (and Paul), Bruce (and

Louise), Jonathan (and Audrey),

grandpa of Tabatha, Josh and Fin.

1960s

Allen Charles Tucker (CE 1956-

1960) died on 4th July 2016 aged 73.

Allen Charles Tucker CA who lived in

Chang Mai, Thailand, died on 4th July

2016 aged 73. He was born on 18th

July 1942 in Stokesley, educated at

Fettes College, and was admitted to

membership on 18th November 1969.

After qualifying, Mr Tucker worked

with Whinney Murray Ernst & Ernst

in Spain and later Liberia, Hong Kong

and Taiwan. He subsequently moved

to Lowe Bingham & Matthews in Hong

Kong and Tapei before working in the

tobacco industry in 1974 with Universal

Leaf Tobacco. Mr Tucker remained in

the industry for the rest of his career,

holding financial director and managing

director positions until his retirement

in 2015 as consultant from Alliance One

International based in Thailand. He is

survived by his wife Kobkaew and son

Edwin.

Ian Mackenzie Sim (Ca 1956-1960)

passed away on 30th October 2016 at

his home surrounded by his wife Hope

and his loving family. Ian was born on

14th August, 1942 in Queenstown, South

Africa on a Royal Air Force Base and was

the son of the late John and Margaret

(McLean) Sim. Ian was a 1964 graduate

of Amherst College and a US Army

Veteran. He worked for Standard Oil

in CT for many years. In addition to his

wife Hope, Ian is survived by one son:

Alistair Sim of Brooklyn, NY and two

sisters: Ruth Morgan of Norwalk, CT and

Pam Soper of Patagonia, AZ. The funeral

was held in Westport, Connecticut,

with Davidson Gordon (Gl 1957-1962),

an OF and Friends of Fettes College

Inc Trustee (FFC Inc.), attending to

represent Fettes. He then served in the

United States Army from 1967 to 1970.

In 1978, Ian started the Amherst Textile


Mills NYC. From 1990 until 2010, he was

Director of Marketing for Standard Oil

of Connecticut. He promoted rugby

in the US at various functions and was

one of the first graduates of Fettes to

attend college in the United States. He

was a FFC Inc. Trustee since 2011 and

as such supported their engagement

and fundraising efforts. In recent

years, during his illness, he took more

of a back seat but enjoyed receiving

updates from FFC Inc President

Graham Cole (Ca 1961-1962) on the

telephone.

John Swinburn Wilson (Mo 1958-1961)

passed away on 13th August 2016 aged

71 years. Dearly beloved husband of

Pattie, loving father of Guy, James

and Alexandra, proud grandfather of

Amelia, George, Rory, Annabel, Henry,

Isobel and Jemima. Although John left

from the Lower VI, he gained his Bigside

Colours and was in the 4th XI. He

studied Law to become a Solicitor and

District Judge in Northumberland.

James Alexander Smith (CW 1956-

1961), elder brother of Richard (CW

1965-1969), passed away on 24th April

2017. A Foundation Scholar, Sandy was

a House Prefect, took a major role in all

musical activities and was Captain of

Golf. He went up to Univ. Coll., Oxon

to graduate in 1965 and obtained a Dip.

Ed. a year later. With this, he joined his

House Tutor, John Ingram (Staff 1956-

1959), at Harrow for 22 years rising to

be a Housemaster. On retiring he took

up his pen to publish Athens under the

Tyrants, and joined the staff at Stowe.

Douglas Anderson Scott (CW 1960-

1964) sadly passed away on 22nd

December 2016.

After leaving Douglas read History

& Politics at Sheffield University to

graduate in 1968. He became a Solicitor

in 1973 and was Legal Advisor (UK) to

ABN Amro Bank.

Christopher Dunnett (Gl 1960-1964)

died peacefully in Wetherby Manor

on 3rd March 2017 aged 69. Devoted

husband of Jenny, much loved father

of Catherine and Charles and a very

special grandfather to Alexander,

Sophie, Fraser and Alastair. A service

of thanksgiving took place at St.Mary’s

Church. Boston Spa on Monday 20th

March 2017 at 12:00 noon. A wonderful,

loving and selfless person who will be

missed by all who knew him.

Dr Ian Edward Lowles (CW 1963-1967)

died peacefully at Burnfoot Nursing

Home, Ecclefechan, on 27th November,

2016, after a long illness, husband of

Jenny, loving father of Adam, Timothy

and Joanna and beloved ‘Grumps’ to his

nine grandchildren.

Dr Michael K. Palmer (CE 1965-1969)

died on 30th January this year. For

most of his adult life, he lived and

worked in London. Michael completed

his radiology training at St George’s

Hospital in London after training initially

in Edinburgh, and was subsequently

appointed at St Helier Hospital in

Carshalton in 1983. Outside the medical

world, Michael was an accomplished

amateur pianist.

1970s

Simon Tonkin (SH 1973-1978) died on

25th February 2017. After leaving Fettes,

Simon went to Aberdeen University

where he studied for an MA in History

of Art. He also joined the University

Air Squadron. On graduating, he

joined the RAF and served in a range

of roles including Royal Security

before becoming officer in charge of

recruitment for the West of Scotland.

He rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

After some years in the RAF, Simon

resigned his commission and took

civilian appointments better suited to

his qualifications. He worked at The

Courtauld Institute and for the Royal

Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Having been raised as the child of

a serving RAF officer, he had travelled

all over the world in his youth and

soon found England was becoming

restrictive and too cold – he hated the

weather. So he moved, with his partner

Clive, to Mexico where they opened a

hotel on the Pacific coast in the tourist

hub of Puerto Vallarta. He remained in

Mexico for 14 years until serious illness

forced him to return home.

After a brief time in hospital, Simon

settled into a post working for AXA

Insurance in Royal Tunbridge Wells. But

once again he began to find England

restrictive and so, five years ago he

moved to Thailand and was able to set

up a small business there.

Simon retained contacts in Mexico

and America and often travelled

between the three locations, helping

with the interior design premises in

Guadalajara, Mexico, and, latterly,

overseeing the restoration of Liberace’s

mansion in Las Vegas to its original

condition. It is now a popular tourist

venue.

But Simon’s main focus remained

in Thailand and the businesses he was

running there. It is there he suddenly

took ill this year. He was cremated

and is buried where he died in Chiang

Rai Province, Thailand. His family has

arranged a memorial service for him

at the last church he attended before

going to Thailand, St James’, Tunbridge

Wells. The service of remembrance

will be held at 11.30 on Saturday,

5th August 2017. Any contacts to

[email protected].

1980s

Iver Salvesen (Mo 1982-1987) died

suddenly whilst volunteering in Tanzania

on 11th July 2016, aged 47. Iver was on his

first ever expedition with the Edinburgh-

based The Vine Trust helping construct

homes for orphan children in the Moshi

district of the African country. Son of

Major Robin Salvesen (Mo 1948-1954)

and Sari, brother of Francis (Mo 1979-

1984), Thomas (Mo 1980-1985), Ferelith,

Alice (Ki 1978-1980), Tabitha (Ar 1979-

1981) and Emily. Husband to Wendy and

father of Oscar, Iona and Henry. He ran

an ecological construction business,

Ecofitter, and hit the headlines three

years ago when he build Scotland’s first

straw house for one of his workers at his

home near Stow, Selkirkshire.

1990s

William Peter Stansfield (Mo 1989-

1993) was born on 22nd June 1976,

died suddenly on 7th December 2016.

Peter is succeeded by his daughter


Andie Jane Walby, aged 15. Peter was

a Christian, to which faith he was

introduced by Revd David Weekes

(Staff 1974-1994), and his son Robin

(JS, Mo 1983-1991). At a young age Peter

became a keen cricketer, especially

bowling. His father used to train him

with a hard ball against the wall of the

church where the final celebration of

his life was held earlier this year.

Whilst at Fettes, Peter underwent an

operation for spondylolysis where his

bottom two vertebrae had to be fused

together. As a result contact sport was

ruled out. He took up both swimming

and running. He was a terrific swimmer

and became a Beach Life Guard,

working in the USA at Myrtle Beach for

some time. Peter went to Edinburgh

Napier and achieved an HND in Business

Studies.

STAFF

Rev. Richard B. Gorrie (College

Chaplain 1960-1974) passed away

in September 2016, at the age of 89.

With a first class degree in history from

Oxford and ordained in the Church

of England, Richard joined the staff as

part-time Anglican Chaplain in 1960,

taking his share in leading chapel

worship each morning before classes,

and at the full service (then compulsory

for the whole school) on Sunday

evenings. Communion according to

the Book of Common Prayer was held

on Sunday mornings before breakfast

and provided a secure, inspiring place

of tranquillity. RBG’s quiet and studied

commitment to Christ, and his gift of

simple yet profound and searching

preaching, were valued both by the

specifically Anglican community of

pupils and staff, and by the wider

fellowship of the Christian Study Group

and those who knew him through

his primary calling: leading Scripture

Union’s involvement with independent

schools across Scotland. He left the

staff on accepting a wider role in SU-

Scotland. Few men of his generation

can have inspired so many to take up

vocations in Churches and professions

across the world. A bachelor during his

time at Fettes, Richard later enjoyed a

long and happy marriage to Margaret

Allan.

Betty Cole-Hamilton (1920-2017)

died peacefully Sunday 19th of March,

aged 96. She was the wife of the

late Richard Cole-Hamilton (Staff

1938-1991), fondly-remembered

housemaster of Kimmerghame and

later Acting Headmaster 1977-1979,

ultimately remaining Keeper of the

Register until 1991. She is survived by

their sons Robin, Simon and Jimmy.

Dr Catriona Collins (Staff 1996-2006)

passed away 6th April 2017. Catriona

was invited to take up her post at

Fettes by the Headmaster, Malcolm

Thyne, as her transformation of the

Learning Support department at

George Watson’s college had been

groundbreaking. She was Head of

Learning Support and as an Educational

Psychologist was responsible for

testing pupils to highlight the need for

extra support. Although her speciality

was dyslexia, these tests could bring

out many other learning difficulties.

Catriona would always find an

individual way to teach each pupil as

every need is different. Catriona worked

far more than full time. She saw pupils

before school, during lunch and after

formal lessons. If there were any more

hours in the day, Catriona would have

used them.


OFA OFFICE BEARERS 2017

THE FETTESIAN TRUST

President

Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967)

Vice-President

Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984)

OF Governor

Eric Young (Ar 1969-1974)

Hon Secretary

Georgie Hill (CW 1990-1993)

Hon Treasurer

Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987-1992)

Auditors

Messrs Chiene and Tait, CA

Committee

Nigel Westwood (Ca 1963-1966)

Sandy Park (Ki 1965-1970)

Alan Thornton (Ca 1971-1973)

Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980)

Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977)

Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984)

Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984)

Sue Whatmore (née Barnard) (SH 1984-1986)

Daniel Thain (JS, Mo 1983-1991)

Trustees

Andrew Pickles, President OFA (Ca 1962-1967)*

Amanda Forsyth, Vice President OFA, Secretary and Treasurer

(née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984)*

Eric Young, OF Governor (Ar 1969-1974)*

Ian Boyd (CE 1953-1957)

William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955)

Ian Gardiner (Mo 1963-1968)

*Ex-officio Trustees (OFA)

Edited by

Henry Gray, OF Co-ordinator

Designed by

Kenneth Gray

www.kennethgray.co.uk

Printed by

J Thomson Colour Printers

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