Pelican_Winter_2016

Issue21Winter2016
The magazine for former pupils and friends of Robert Gordon’s College

Robin Whyte
President
Gordonian Association
Alan Adie
Secretary
Gordonian Association
Laura Presslie
Director of Development,
Marketing and Admissions
Robert Gordon's College
Laura Pike
Assistant Director (Alumni Relations)
Robert Gordon's College
Friday 4th March
Gordonian Association Annual Dinner, The Marcliffe Hotel,
Aberdeen
Thursday 26th May
Surrey Lunch for Gordonians and friends
Friday 27th May
London Gordonian Dinner
Saturday 18th June
The Big Reunion
Tuesday 13th September
Angus and Perth Lunch for Gordonians and friends
Saturday 1st October
Class of 1966 Reunion
Friday 11th November
Edinburgh Gordonian Dinner
Key Contacts
The Pelican | Spring 2016
Published by:
The Development Office,
Robert Gordon’s College,
Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FE.
For any enquiries:
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 611211
pelican@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
© Robert Gordon’s College 2016
Robert Gordon’s College is a charity
registered in Scotland, No SC000123
Datesforthediary
The Big Reunion
To celebrate the completion of our Phase 2 Development, The Wood Foundation
Centre for Science and Technology and The Craig Centre for Performing Arts,
we would invite you to save the date for ‘The Big Reunion’ on Saturday 18th
June 2016. The reunion is about renewing friendships, sharing memories and
bringing people together from all eras for one big celebration event.
Further details to follow.

The Pelican Winter 2016
2. News from around
our community
Including GA president’s report and other news
8. otaki revisited
We will be holding an Otaki reunion in March
2017 which marks the centenary of the
sinking of the SS Otaki.
10. dr david dalgarno
“Robert Gordon gave us the gift of something
that lasts your entire life – learning how to read,
write and count so you can earn money to live.”
12. the military tradition
Central to the activities of our CCF is our
determination to raise awareness of the military
tradition of Gordon’s, with very large numbers
of former pupils having served and continuing
to serve, giving very distinguished service and
frequently reaching very senior rank.
14. Hugh little
Hugh’s commitment to Robert Gordon’s College
is demonstrated by his generosity as a donor to
the Phase 2 development at Schoolhill.
16. news from the
archives
16
What do you think? We value your ideas for
future issues of The Pelican. Please do keep
sending your news and stories. You can do
this by post to the Development Office.
Any views or opinions expressed in submitted
articles do not necessarily reflect the views of
the College.
The school magazine, produced as a record of
each school year, is still available to all members
who request it.
Front Cover: David Dalgarno with
Prefect Leaders Katy Gordon and
Morgan Povey
In this issue
8
20. shairron mcdonald
“Boarding at Sillerton House gave me real life
experiences in a mixed environment that I am
sure has contributed to my confidence in taking
on new challenges in life; something for which
I’m eternally grateful.”
22. adam mackay
“Throughout my school career every one of my
teachers has inspired me in one way or another.”
29. obituaries
1410 20

The Annual General Meeting of the Gordonian
Association (GA) was held in June 2015. At
that meeting Robin Whyte (‘76) was elected
as President to take over from Mike Fraser. In
addition to the President’s role, the following
members were elected:
Vice President (position vacant)
Hon Secretary/Treasurer - Alan Adie (‘65)
Magazine Liaison - Alan Innes (‘62)
Executive Committee Members -
Peter J Fraser (‘80)
Colin McKenzie (‘94)
Graeme Nicol (‘64)
Sean Press (‘12)
Calum Proctor (‘71)
Louise Walker (‘15)
Each of the Sports Section are represented
on the Executive Committee and the appointed
representatives are listed on the back page cover
of The Pelican. The Committee also comprises
five co-opted members. The first three are
the Director of Development, Marketing and
Admissions at the College (Laura Presslie), the
Head of Senior School (Andrea Angus) and the
Chairman of the Seafield Club (John Mowat).
The final two members are Katy Gordon and
Morgan Povey, both S6 pupils in this current
session, who have been elected as Gordonian
Student Leaders.
Katy and Morgan are playing a very active
role in the activities of the GA. This is the second
year when S6 pupils have attended Executive
Committee meetings. Last year Daniel Craig
and Louise Walker were the Student Leaders,
and it is noteworthy that Louise has joined
the Executive Committee as a full Committee
Member, since she is now a former pupil. It is
the result of one of the initiatives enshrined in
the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the GA and Robert Gordon’s College,
which was reported on in the last issue of The
Pelican, and is designed to strengthen links
between pupils at the College and the GA.
The Executive Committee will focus this
session on two key projects:
–– Extending GA events in areas of Scotland
and England where there are known clusters
of former pupils, but where there are few
‘get-togethers’, whether formal or informal.
–– Gordonian X where efforts are being made
to embrace those who have left Gordon’s
within the last 10 years.
Any former pupil who would be interested in
assisting these projects should contact the GA
Secretary or the Development Office - contacts
details are on the back cover.
Alan Adie,
Secretary, Gordonian Association
Update from the Gordonian
Association Executive Committee
Since my inception as Chairman of the
Gordonian Association six months ago, I
am glad to report that the hard work and
enthusiasm of my predecessor Mike Fraser
in tandem with the school Development
Office has been continued unabated, and
there is a genuine feeling that we are on
the right track to forge a meaningful and
long lasting bond between the school, the
GA and former pupils. What especially has
pleased me is the interest and interaction of
the S6 Student Leaders - Katy and Morgan
- who have been appointed on to the GA
committee. Their enthusiasm and youthful
exuberance is really encouraging which I am
sure will help us to expand the Gordonian
“family”. With the help of the school we
hope to spread the word with regards
to what we are hoping to achieve. I look
forward to seeing many of you over the
coming weeks and months at the Annual
Association Dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel
on Friday 4th March and at Aberdeen Asset
Management for the London Gordonian
Dinner on Friday 27th May. In my early
phase of presidency I am very encouraged
by the input from former pupils who have
a sincere desire for more tangible contact
with the Gordonian Association and I am
interested to hear more on how you think
we can support you. On the sporting front
all sections are prospering with rugby, netball
and hockey sections all thriving. I would like
to make a special mention to the Cricket
section who had their best season ever.
Robin Whyte,
President, Gordonian Association
Welcome from
GA President
News from around
our community
Robin K Whtye attended Robert Gordon's
College from 1963 to 1976. He was a House
CaptainandwasVice-Captainoftheschool.In
S6 he was the Mackenzie Shield winner which
resulted in a visit to South Africa. Robin was a
member of the cricket, basketball and rugby
teams and his sporting interests at the College
continuedwiththeGordoniansrugbyfrom1976
to 1992, Gordonians Basketball from 1976 to
1993andGordonianscricketbetween1976to
1996.Nowadays,hissportisgolfhavingbeena
member of Deeside Golf Club since 1994. On
leaving Gordon's Robin embarked on a career
in the oil and gas business working for various
drilling and service companies. He has been
workingatShellsince2004inDrillingcontracts
andismarriedtohiswifeGail.Robinhasbeena
memberoftheGordonianAssociationExecutive
Committee since 2009.
President’s Profile

The Pelican Winter 2016 3
News from the Head of College
There has been a very
busy term since the
new academic session
started in August,
beginning with a
record set of Higher
results in the summer.
We are delighted for
all the pupils who have
worked so hard and are setting out the very
best foundations for their approach to university
and their lives beyond Schoolhill. We are well
on our way through the school year now and
many S6 pupils hold excellent university offers
from a very wide number of courses. We will
watch their progress with great interest.
August also marked the full occupation
of The Wood Foundation Centre for Science
and Technology and The Craig Centre for
Performing Arts. This gives the College 30%
extra floor space and it is an amazing set of
spaces for pupils and staff to work within.
We are honoured and delighted to have
hosted HRH The Princess Royal to the Official
Opening of the two new Centres in February
when she was welcomed by the Pipe Band,
before meeting pupils and staff from science
departments and entertained by our junior and
senior musicians. HRH The Princess Royal has
been a very firm supporter of Robert Gordon’s,
having opened both the Countesswells Pavilion
and the Library in the recent past.
It is excellent to note the great buzz of
activity around the College and we all enjoyed
the fantastic inaugural performance of the
senior school musical ‘West Side Story’ in
November in the new Craig Centre for
Performing Arts. There was an additional night
for the production this year, plus a Saturday
matinee performance, and many roles were
double cast to allow all who auditioned to take
part. New clubs this year include Mandarin
(for Junior School, Senior School and some
brave staff), Robotics, STEM and P7 Young
Engineers. The latter raised £1400 to help start
their project of building two electric cars, (code
named Robert and Gordon, or Bob and Dod as
they have become known), which they hope to
race after they have been constructed.
This term we have welcomed two
undergraduates from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) to work with
our Chemistry and Computing Science
departments. Both Nancy Lu, a Chemical
Engineer, and Pratheek Nagaraj, a Software
Engineer, are part of a UK first with Robert
Gordon’s College being the pioneer school
to engage with the Global Teaching Labs
programme in Great Britain. This is part of a
three year pilot scheme which we hope will
prove both exciting and innovative for pupils
in Aberdeen.
As well as all of our normal Gordonian
events which have been so well attended, we
look forward to welcoming a large number of
Gordonians to the ‘Big Reunion’ on Saturday
18th June. We will have a marquee in the Quad
outside the Auld Hoose, performances from
some of our musicians, an Art display from
Gordon’s artists and tours of the new science
and performing arts facilities. We plan to invite
Gordonians from all year groups to come
back to the College to see the new facilities,
enjoy old friendships and celebrate the best
of Gordon’s past and present. Please do have
a chat with other old friends from Gordon’s
and see if you would like to book a table or
tickets for this unique evening at the school.
I hope we shall have the chance to see you
at a Gordonian event this year and you will
always be most welcome if you would like to
visit the school. I wish all Gordonians a very
good start to 2016 and hope that you enjoy
the news in this issue of the ‘Pelican’.
Dear Gordonians,
As this year’s Gordonian Student Leaders, we
are in a unique position being current pupils
to be formal committee members of the
Gordonian Association. The school is eager to
get former pupils more involved with school life
as we feel that this could prove invaluable to
many pupils’ personal development. Hearing
one former pupil give a speech on a particular
field or subject could be a decision that could
prove life changing. We hope to help bridge
the gap between the current pupil community
and the former pupil community.
Having met a good number of Gordonians at
the Edinburgh annual dinner, it was confirmed
to us that there is a tremendous deal of
enthusiasm and support for increasing the
former pupil presence in the lives of the current
pupil community. Just what form this interaction
would take is not set in stone, however the
primary initiative that we are taking forward is
a system of paired mentoring between current
and former pupils. We asked ourselves what
sort of things would resonate the most with
S4-S6 pupils that the former pupil community
could provide, and we felt that careers advice
and mentoring would be very popular and
beneficial. Once again, the details and logistics
of this initiative are yet to be decided, and we
would be extremely interested in your views
on what form you would like this system to
take. Guidance into careers by former pupils
does currently occur, however it is too ad hoc.
We are looking to create a framework where
FPs that are looking to provide guidance can
be systematically paired with a current pupil
looking for advice in that field. We see this
would be beneficial to both parties. The current
pupils would have access to potentially career
altering information, and the FPs would have
the opportunity to pass on their knowledge
and expertise to possible future workers in the
field. In forming this system, your input will
prove helpful.
This is just one initiative that we are
progressing. Others include having FPs
contribute to the school’s desire to create
effective and strong leaders. Another is to have
GA sponsored competitions within the school.
We believe that our former pupil community is
so rich with talent and experience that we must
do our utmost to make use of that. We hope
that you are as excited about these initiatives
as we are and we look forward to hearing from
many of you in the future.
Katy Gordon and Morgan Povey,
S6 Gordonian Student Leaders
the school Musical ‘West Side Story’ in the new Craig Centre for Performing Arts.
stem club

Former pupil
shares Chemical
Engineering
insight with S6
Douglas Blake, 2008 School Captain, returned
to the College on Monday 2 November to
deliver a talk to S6 pupils in the Stevenson
Lecture Theatre. He spoke about his experience
of Chemical Engineering at University and in
industry. It was great to see Doug so happy
and enthusiastic about his career choice; his
presentation was really well received and the
pupils had lots of questions for him especially
those who have important interviews coming
up. We are hoping Doug will be able to come
in during the Summer term to speak to our
S5 Chemists.
Dr Kennedy, Head of Chemistry
Former pupils advise Medicine and
Dentistry applicants
In November we were delighted to welcome back to school a group of former pupils currently
studying Medicine who spent the day coaching current applicants as they prepare for university
interviews. Interesting talks, question and answer sessions and mini interviews under pressure
put the applicants through their paces. Topics included general questions, medical ethics, probing
personal statements, exercises in dexterity and sustaining complex conversations with patients
with particular needs. We are very grateful to the former pupils and, in particular, to Eilidh Bruce,
who proposed the idea, devised the programme and coordinated the team.
Mr Montgomery, Head of University Guidance
Martin Gilbert included in Harvard
Business School’s top bosses list
Gordonians
invited to join the
Seafield Club
The Seafield Club has agreed an extension to
its lease until 31st December 2017 and will
continue to be used by the Gordonian sports
sections for their post-match hospitality, social
and fundraising events, and committee
meetings. An invitation is extended to
Gordonians of all ages to join (£10 annual
membership fee).
The Sports bar is open seven days per week
from 3pm at weekends and from 4pm on
weekdays. The Lounge bar (seats 35, standing
room 15) can be booked by members either
on its own, or together with the adjoining
function room (seats 45), and has a late
licence on Fridays and Saturdays. It is popular
for birthday parties, office parties, and funeral
teas. The Function room is suitable for a large
meeting, a dinner function, a training seminar,
or a disco.
The Seafield Club Committee welcomes new
members. Enquiries can be made to tel: +44
(0)1224 310416 , 12 Seafield Road, Aberdeen
AB15 7YT.
Martin Gilbert (Class of ‘73), Chief Executive
of Aberdeen Asset Management has been
included on a list of top performing bosses
by Harvard Business School ranking number
22 on the Harvard Business Review’s (HBR’s)
list of the world’s top performing CEOs out
of a possible list of 907. Martin said: “It’s
amazing for Aberdeen Asset Management’s
name to appear among some of the
great multi-national companies. I guess it
reflects how far AAM has come over the
past 32 years. Whilst the report references
the performance of CEOs it really has
been a team effort ever since 1983. The
contribution of Andrew Laing (Class of
‘70), Bill Rattray (Class of ‘76), Hugh Young,
Hugh Little (Class of ‘75), Ken Fry, Anne
Richards and many, many others should not
be underestimated.”
Photo courtesy of Aberdeen Asset management
Left to right: Mary McDonald Class of (‘12), Sadman Chowdhury (Class of ‘12), Eilidh Bruce
(Class of ‘12), Flossie Hibbert (Class of ‘12), Kathryn Scott (Class of ‘12), Caitlin Rees (Class of
‘13), Greig Torpey (Class of ‘13)

TechTalks
TechTalks
Eddie Anderson (arr craiB), Sam Whittaker
(Mercedes) and simon Mills
Dr Dalgarno with S6 pupils Hugh Little with S6 pupilsSir Ian Wood with Jamie Seedhouse
With the opening of The
Wood Foundation Centre
for Science and Technology a new ‘Tech Talks’
series has been launched. Former pupil Rachel
Spatz (Class of ‘04), Demand Generation
Marketing Manager at Cybereason spoke to S2
pupils about Cyber Security and participated in
a workshop with S6 Computing Science pupils
during her visit from Boston. With the support
of Corporate Partner ARR Craib Transport Ltd,
Mercedes hosted Engineering Science Lectures
with the P7 Young Engineers Club and also
pupils in S3-6. The pupils were able to look first-
hand at two of the latest model of Mercedes
trucks which were brought in to the back
playground during the lectures.
The new Inspiring Leaders series got off to an impressive start with lectures from Boston based Dr
David Dalgarno (Class of '76) of Ariad Pharmaceuticals plc, Sir Ian Wood (Class of '60), Chairman
of The Wood Foundation and Hugh Little (Class of '75), former Head of Acquisitions at Aberdeen
Asset Management. This lecture series has been launched during the year of celebration events
and is aimed at S6 pupils. Dr Dalgarno spent time in the S6 Chemistry laboratory providing
practical advice on pharmaceutical career options; Sir Ian spoke to pupils about business success
and venture and Hugh spoke about mergers and acquisitions.
Rachel Spatz lecturing Computing
Science pupils
Robert Gordon’s College is very proud to be
the first school in the UK to partner with the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
in Boston, US to bring the Global Teaching
Lab (GTL) programme to Aberdeen. The
GTL matched two MIT students with Robert
Gordon’s College and in January the students
travelled to Aberdeen to deliver tailored
lessons that complement the school’s STEM
curriculum and highlight MIT’s hands-on
approach to education. During the month
of January Nancy Lu and Pratheek Nagaraj
joined our Senior School Chemistry and
Computing Science departments.
MIT Learning
comes to
Gordon’s
far Left: Nancy
Lu with Head
of Chemistry
Dr jane
kennedy
left: Pratheek
Nagaraj
with Head of
computing
science mark
hay
Below: Mit
students in
labs with
pupils
Nancy is originally from Florida, US and
is a senior Chemical Engineering student
at MIT. She is undertaking research on
water desalination and plans to pursue a
PhD. Pratheek is undertaking a Masters in
Computer Science and his research examines
digital security and privacy. Whilst at MIT
he has spent time as an undergraduate
researcher in MIT’s Computer Science and
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)
and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical
Research. His work experiences have
allowed him to intern at various technology
companies that include Amazon, Facebook
and Snapchat as a software engineer.

Lorna Skingley
(Class of ’98)
Having gained a first class degree from
Manchester University, Lorna went in
to public relations but moved to radio
production with independent company
“Smooth Operations” five years ago initially
as a production assistant on the Radcliffe
and Maconie Show on Radio 2 (now on 6
Music). Her first foray into radio production
resulted in a Radio 4 documentary in 2013
celebrating 90 years of Rupert the Bear!
Lorna now produces music documentaries
including parts of Stuart Maconie’s fifty
episode Radio 2 history of popular music,
“The People’s Songs”. Lorna has gone on
to produce “Shipping Songs”, hosted by
Lisa Knapp and broadcast on Radio 4 (April
2015), “The Music of the American Civil
War” broadcast in two parts on Radio 2
(June 2015) and hosted by Kris Kristofferson
and, most recently a Radio 3 production,
“Yuletide in the Land of Ice and Fire”, looking
at Icelandic Christmas myths and legends
(December 2015). Lorna is presently based
in the BBC building at Media City, Salford.
Hall Davidson Art Prize
After receiving the Hall Davidson Art Prize in Art and Design I spent a week at Hato Press/Studio
Hato, London, an independent graphic design company and fine art printer. Founded by a
former pupil, Ken Kirton (Class of ‘05), they use risograph printing to produce their own work
and to publish other artists’ or writers’ work. I had a jam-packed week assisting at the Press by
helping produce books that had been created at Hato, which are sold in their shop, at various
art shows and in Urban Outfitters.
I also had the opportunity to use the risograph printer for my own work which was very
beneficial in building up my folio for Art School in a new and unusual media. Throughout the
week I got the chance to visit other independent art and design studios.
Thea Mayeux (S6)
Calling all Gordonians who studied
Art at Higher, Advanced Higher or
Sixth year studies
We are organising a former pupil Art exhibition in June 2016 in the new gallery space of The Craig
Centre for Performing Arts. The exhibition will highlight the diverse careers our Art and Design
students pursue and showcase their talents with examples of current work. So whether you are a
surgeon who paints landscapes for fun or an architect who draws for your day job we would love
to hear from you. We would like to showcase as broad a career and discipline range as possible
and are looking for examples of jewellery, fashion, textiles, decorative design, drawing, graphic
design, photography, video, film, sculpture, painting and any other commercial or artistic outcome.
Please contact Mr Hopps in Art (a.hopps@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk) or pass your suggestions
and requests via Laura Pike in the Development Office (l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk).
Former pupil Kevin Macleod Class of ‘87
founded FUNBOX with some of his former
‘Singing Kettle’ stars. Pupils from Nursery,
Primary 1 and 2 were treated to a special
performance of FUNBOX on 14th September
2015. Bringing a wealth of experience from their
days as performers and writers of The Singing
Kettle, they have created a new show for kids
of all ages, from nought to ninety, maintaining
the balance of traditional singalong songs and
brand new compositions, but with a distinctly
Scottish flavour. The event took place as part
of The Craig Celebration Series to mark the
opening of the new Craig Centre for Performing
Arts and was supported by two principal donors
within the Gordonian community.
Former pupil
entertains in
the new Craig
Theatre Third and
fourth
generation
Gordonians
The Gordonian Association is
investigating those families who
have had multi-generation pupils
at Robert Gordon’s College. We
invite readers to advise the Pelican
at pelican.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk of
those families who fall into this
category. The Association has not
yet been able to find any fifth
generation families.
kevin macleod (‘87) pictured in the centre
junior pupils enjoying the funbox show

Classof1966
Richard Allan
Alan M Bell
Norman F Brown
Robert F Brown
Lawrence Clark
Robert J Coleman
Norman G Cordiner
David R Covey
Roderick J Cryle
Albert I Cullan
Neil A Dalgarno
Hamish W Dewar
Adrian P Drew
Stuart C Duff
Hamish A Duncan
Michael M Duncan
Robert D Duncan
Thomas R Evans
Dennis A Farquhar
Alex F Forbes
Ian C Forbes
David I Fotheringham
James M Fraser
Allan G Fyfe
John R Graham
Neil F Grieve
John G Hague
Norman E Harwood
Grahame D Hay
Michael Hendry
Eric J Henry
David H Hepburn
Robert Hepburn
David S Iorns
John R Irving
Ian F Jamieson
Gordon P Johnston
Robert S Johnstone
Gordon A Jones
Albert F Kelby
Edward A Kemp
Kenneth Kerr
Zygmunt Krukowski
George P Leiper
Nigel B Lindsay
Terry F MacKenzie
Alex H Macklin
Charles L MacPherson
William Mathers
Ian R McDonald
Keith A McGregor
John M McKenzie
Graeme G McKnight
John Y McLellan
William J McLeod
Gordon A Michie
Ian R Mitchell
Philip M Moir
Graeme S Moore
Allan B Morrison
Neil Morrison
Brian G Mowat
Iain J Nairn
Ian A Nobel
Colin L Philip
Gordon I Powrie
Michael B Rae
Brian A Ramsay
Martin S Ramsay
Ian Raynolds
Andrew W Reid
James G Reidford
Roger Rhys-Davies
William B Riddoch
Alan Robertson
Alan A Robertson
Neil D Roy
Diarmid Scorgie
Eric F Sinclair
Michael J Skinner
Iain B Slinn
Paul M Smith
Richard L Stephen
Colin P Stewart
Daniel C Stewart
Derek C Stewart
Roderick Stuart
John F Sutherland
William G Taylor
John A Walker
John E Ward
Alexander C Watt
Graeme J Watt
Clive G Webber
Robert G Webster
John C Whyte
David L Wilson
Two annual staff fellowships are arranged
through the GAIL (Global Alliance of
Innovative Learning) network of partner
schools to undertake international research
at a GAIL partner school on a topic which
supports improvement at Gordon's.
During session 2014-2015 Phyllis Thomson
(Deputy Head S2-S3, recently retired)
conducted research on best practice in pastoral
care and positive education at Scotch College
in Australia and Susan Jamieson (Principal
Teacher in Junior School and Class of ‘01)
investigated best practice in the use of iPads
and the effectiveness of the Wellbeing Centre
at Kristin School, New Zealand. Both areas
are active in development at Robert Gordon's
College and the sharing of best practice assists
all of the GAIL schools to improve and provide
best quality education to all pupils.
Susan spoke of her experience at Kristin
saying: "My investigation of how Kristin
School introduced and utilised iPads resulted
in me gaining further advice on how best this
could be addressed. Whilst the community at
Kristin felt the introduction of iPads has been
beneficial to enhancing pupil learning, pre-
planning for the use and also back-up support
was highlighted as being crucially important.
It was clear that the Wellness Centre had
impacted the Health and Wellbeing of the
Kristin Community in a positive way providing
an additional support network and facility for
pupil and parent concerns.”
Simon Mills, Head of College added: “We
are proud to be part of the GAIL alliance
with schools in other parts of the world
whose vision and ethos we share. This July
we look forward to welcoming the annual
GAIL convention to Aberdeen where the other
GAIL schools from around the world will gain
invaluable experience of different cultures,
lifestyles and hopefully make enduring global
friendships.”
Talking about the impact of Mrs Thomson's
research, he said: "Findings from the research
conducted at Scotch has directly informed our
Senior School Pastoral Review process. Robert
Gordon's College is strongly committed to
Global Alliance for
Innovative Learning
enhancing the professional development of
teachers and of driving further progress in the
Junior and Senior Schools through enhanced
awareness of best practice in education. As
well as sending Staff Fellows, we annually
assist with hosting several visiting academic
staff from other global partner schools, who in
turn broaden the links and learning between
our international network of schools."
www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/gail
David Pittendreigh and Keith Davidson would like to invite you to celebrate fifty years of leaving
Robert Gordon’s College with a Class of 1966 Reunion on Saturday 1st October 2016. We are
trying to contact as many former pupils as possible. Are you in touch with any of the ‘lost boys’
below? If you have any information or contact details for them please let us know.
To register your interest please contact Laura Pike l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
or +44 (0) 1224 611211
susan jamieson
phyllis thomson

The story of the Otaki is familiar to all Gordonians
but, in sum, was sunk by a German Raider after
a fierce sea-fight.
The Otaki captain was Gordonian Archibald
Bisset Smith. He died during the engagement
and was awarded posthumously the highest
military honour – the Victoria Cross. Also on
board was fourteen year old Midshipman
Gordonian William Martin. He was a member of
the gun crew and was killed during the action.
To commemorate the Otaki action a shield
was presented by Captain Smith’s family to the
Governors of Robert Gordon’s College. This
shield is awarded annually to the senior boy
who is judged to be “pre-eminent in character,
in leadership, and in athletics”. William Martin’s
parents also endowed a prize to the College
and this is still awarded.
The New Zealand Shipping Company (now
P&O) in recognition of the ship’s crew, made a
splendid contribution to the prize - the scholar’s
trip on one of their ships to New Zealand. This
was one of the highlights, though sadly this is
not now possible.
The New Zealand Government, in its turn
decided to arrange for the annual scholar to
receive a comprehensive tour of New Zealand;
this arrangement is still in place.
There had never been a reunion of Otaki
ScholarsanditwasagreedthattheDevelopment
Office organise one - not an easy task. It was
also suggested that a record in the form of a
book of the Otaki Students be published. This
was done with the considerable help of Penny
Hartley in RGC Archives. After much research
this launched on 15th August 2003 - the date
of the reunion.
After a tour of the College the Otaki Scholars
accompanied by a representative of the New
Zealand Government enjoyed a New Zealand
themed lunch at the College.
Thiswasfollowedbyabusjourneytotheruined
churchatAuchindoirnearLumsdenwherethere
is a memorial tablet to William Martin. Andrew
Black,theCollege’sPipeMajor,playedthelament
the“FlowersoftheForest”amostmovingtribute.
Then it was on to the old kirk yard at Rhynie and
thegraveoftheBissetSmithfamilywhereaservice
was conducted by a representative of the family.
The Huntly British Legion and Colonel
Rodney Windsor hosted a splendid reception
in his wonderful garden; then it was back to
Lumsden where the local Community Council
laid on a splendid tea in the village hall.
The story doesn’t end there. A presentation
by one of the College’s Otaki Scholars to Saint
Andrews College in Auckland so impressed
a guest that he sponsored a boy from Saint
Andrews to come to Scotland on a reciprocal
visit. This has been expanded and a student
from Scots College also visits Scottish schools.
I had the pleasure whilst on holiday of visiting
Saint Andrews School and was given the
privilege of unveiling their ‘Honours Board’
and meeting up with their exchange students.
I have been pleased to take the Otaki Scholars
and the Saint Andrews students to Auchindoir
and Rhynie and remind them that, but for the
valour of these former pupils of Gordon’s, they
would not be enjoying their tours.
Is it now time for another reunion and visit to
the memorials of these two heroes of Gordon’s!
Bob Duncan, Class of ‘56
Otaki Revisited
Time for another reunion!
“Although we may attempt to communicate
our escapades to others, the significance of
and the feeling of gratitude for the experience
and honour is one which shall unquestionably
remain with us for the rest of our lives. When
you are not dining with old sea captains of
the Durham Association, having tea with the
British High Commissioner or meeting mayors
and deputy mayors of Christchurch, Dunedin
and the Kapiti Coast, it is expected that you do
at least one thing that sends your heart racing
and your eyes into the back of your skull.”
Michael Sawaryn, 67th Otaki Scholar 2010
“Wanganui Collegiate was the school where
I met the 11th Otaki Scholar, Dr McLaughlin.
Hopefully every Otaki Scholar in the near
future can meet Dr McLaughlin. It was
definitely worthwhile speaking to him and
it was fascinating to hear about his time at
RGC. I experienced my first ever live Haka! I
was blown away. You cannot smile, laugh or
joke during the Haka as they would become
more aggressive!”
Daniel McFarlane, 68th Otaki Scholar 2011
My Otaki Experience:
OTAKI REUNION 2003
8

“The light-hearted and open attitude was
highlighted when Marlborough Boy’s College
decided to take advantage of my relatively weak
Scottish accent by asking me to announce a
notice about their annual school dance on their
local radio station. I held up the more informal
tradition of a bungy jump, though I thought I
would spice it up and take the plunge in a kilt. It
could be said that one would depart a boy and
then return home a man. For me this (legally)
did happen. I celebrated my 18th birthday at
the breath-taking Lake Taupau.”
Hamish Atkins, 71st Otaki Scholar 2014
“Travelling the length and breadth of the
country and the variety of experiences I had,
made it feel as if I had in fact been on a world
tour. From the Scottish feel of the Dunedin
countryside, complete with Rabbie Burns statue,
to the positively tropical Northland. The Otaki
Scholarship is not about one boy enjoying the
trip of a lifetime. It is an experience shared
amongst all the scholars and shared with all
the peoples of News Zealand that you have
the fortune of meeting and spending time with
along the way.”
Craig Brownhill, 70th Otaki Scholar 2013
“It is humbling to see that on the other side
of the world there is still a deep conviction to
pay tribute to the men who died on the Otaki,
and Captain Archibald Bisset Smith. Otaki was
an amazing part of my trip, and one that every
scholar in the future will look forward to, and
previous scholars will cherish.”
Sean Press, 69th Otaki Scholar 2012
we are interested to hear from otaki scholars who would be available to
participate in the forthcoming otaki reunion in march 2017. this marks the
centenary of the sinking of the ss otaki.
please contact laura pike: l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk or +44 (0) 1224 611211
Come to our Otaki Reunion Painting of SS Otaki
by Wallace Trickett
OTAKI REUNION 2003

“I’m a Gordonian
scientist using
computers to design
new drugs to treat
cancer”
Dr David C. Dalgarno was born in 1958 in
Aberdeen and lived there until he was 18 years
old. David attended Robert Gordon’s College
from Primary 1 leaving in S6 in 1976. As a
Gordon’s pupil David was intensely interested
in chemistry, physics and mathematics, and
was fortunate to be awarded the Modern
Dux award in S6.
On leaving Aberdeen David attended
University College, Oxford from 1976-1980,
majoring in chemistry, with a physical and
inorganic chemistry specialisation. For his
Part II undergraduate research he joined the
laboratory of Professor RJP Williams FRS, one
of the founders of the field of bioinorganic
chemistry and an expert on the role of metal
ions in biology. David remained in this
laboratory for his D.Phil. thesis while attending
Wolfson College, Oxford between 1980
and 1983. In this research he used nuclear
magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to
study the effects of metal ions binding to
EF-hand calcium-binding proteins such as
calmodulin. David’s post-doctoral research was
conducted in the Department of Molecular
Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University,
New Haven from 1983-1986, focusing on
NMR-based studies of the metallothionien
zinc and cadmium-binding proteins.
After Yale, David joined industry, spending
almost five years in protein NMR at the
Schering-Plough Corporation in New Jersey
before joining the biotechnology start-
up ARIAD Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge,
Massachusetts in 1992. He was part of
the initial group of experimental scientists
and one of the earliest employees. David
has remained at ARIAD for the last 23
years, and now holds the position of Vice
President, Research Technologies, having
seen the organisation develop from a small
discovery start-up into a fully integrated
biotechnology company. Today at ARIAD,
David is part of the Senior Leadership Team
and leads a group of scientists with expertise
in small molecule structure-based drug
design, structural biology (both NMR and
X-ray crystallography), protein biochemistry,
enzymology, biophysical chemistry, discovery
Informatics, and computational chemistry.
This group provides drug design expertise to
the Discovery Chemistry and Biology groups
engaged in lead optimisation, as well as
supporting the Translational Biology group in
mechanistic analysis of the influence of drug-
resistant mutations on enzyme structure and
function. ARIAD now specialise in applying
precision medicine to the field of oncology,
with a focus on understanding the basis
of and designing drugs to overcome drug
resistance. David has worked on most of
the company’s small molecule drug discovery
programs, four of which have entered clinical
development and of which he is co-inventor
of two of these drugs.
David is married with four children, and
has been living in Brookline, Massachusetts,
adjacent to Boston, for the past 15 years. His
company works next door to MIT, Harvard
and across the water from the Boston Red
Sox baseball team.
In the summer of 2014, David returned to
the gates of Schoolhill for the first time after
37 years. He was met in the quadrangle by
Andrew Lowden, Director of Finance who
introduced him to Laura Presslie, Director of
Development, Marketing and Admissions.
From there he has remained in touch with the
school and has been involved in supporting
a pupil trip to Boston in October 2014
where David and a further six Boston based
Gordonians met with 43 pupils to share
career experience and tell them about their
journey from Gordon’s to living and working
in Boston.
In September 2015, David served as the
annual Founders’ Day orator. He visited
science and engineering pupils from P7 to S6
in their laboratories and workshops to discuss
drug design, engineering, computational
medicine and the importance of enjoying art,
reading, sums and numbers, computer video
games and of course his main love science.
“I went to Gordon’s
before mobile phones,
Facebook and Google –
imagine that!”
David told the pupils: “I realised I wanted
to be a scientist at school and stuck to this
idea through my school years and through
university. I was able to make this dream come
true and do a job I love every day – designing
Dr David Dalgarno
Class of ‘76

medicine to help sick people. My belief in
achieving this goal came from our school
motto ‘to be the best you can be’ and through
hard work my wish came true”.
In remembering Robert Gordon, David told
junior school pupils “Robert Gordon gave us
the gift of something that lasts your entire
life – learning how to read, write and count
so you can earn money to live. We remember
this giving by the use of the Pelican bird. This
is a symbol of giving so when you see this logo
you should think of Robert Gordon and his
great idea of giving his money to help educate
the children of Aberdeen.” He went on to
advise pupils “my advice is to be like Robert
Gordon and be a giver – help your friends,
teachers and your parents and remember,
you don’t need anything in return.”
In returning to Robert Gordon’s College
after 38 years David said, “I made a journey
from Gordon’s to Boston, you can too. Pursue
what you enjoy and be good at it.”
pAGE 10: David
Dalgarno and his
wife brenda
TOP: David Dalgarno
in the Founder’s day
parade
Middle: L TO R
Jimmy hutcheson,
andrea angus, david
dalgarno, mollie
mennie, simon mills
Bottom left: David’s
wife meeting junior
school pupils
Bottom Right: David
Dalgarno presenting
to s1 pupils
“Robert
Gordon’s is a
place where
you can try
and learn new
things. It is
a community
with history
and tradition,
one that we
are all proud
to be part of. ”

brought RAF cadets back to the College after
an absence of almost 50 exactly years. Today,
both sections flourish side by side. Training,
particularly Adventurous Training, is frequently
carried out jointly, and though each section is
proud of its own activities and identity, there
is a strong sense of belonging to the CCF first
and foremost and a particular section thereafter.
The third CCF section is the Pipe Band, which
again traces its roots back to the 1940s. Many of
the original and early band members continue to
take a keen interest in the achievements of the
band and their ongoing generosity in supporting
the band is greatly appreciated. Under Pipe Major
Jason Sumner, who recently retired as the Senior
Pipe Major in the British Army, piping continues
to flourish and is seen as one of the major RGC
success stories in recent years. Numbers of very
young learners are extremely healthy and we
look forward to considerable success in years
to come. We are proud that, despite pressure
to change from, amongst others, the former
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe,
band members continue to wear the cap badge
of the Gordon Highlanders.
Central to the activities of our CCF is our
determination to raise awareness of the military
tradition of Gordon's, with very large numbers
of former pupils having served and continuing
to serve, giving very distinguished service and
frequently reaching very senior rank.
Remembrance is seen as the most significant
time in the cadet year and every effort is made
to ensure the sacrifice made by Gordon's boys
and members of the teaching staff in both World
Wars is fully understood by today's young people.
Our Remembrance Service has been growing
year on year and it was highly gratifying to see
Robert Gordon's College Combined Cadet Force
is one of the longest running College activities,
dating back to the formation of the CCF in 1948,
which brought together the different cadet units
which had previously existed in schools. The aims
of the organisation are 'to provide challenging
and enjoyable activities for young people to better
prepare them for their role in the community
and to enable the development of a sense of
service, personal responsibility and leadership'
and the CCF is viewed as totally in keeping
with the broad aims of the school, encouraging
both boys and girls to 'be the best they can be'.
Although we in Scotland will not benefit from
the Government's Cadet Expansion Plan south of
the border, which aims to create several hundred
new cadet units in state schools by 2020, it is
interesting to consider the thinking behind this
initiative, which demonstrates the value placed
on the training offered by the different Cadet
Forces and the tremendous perceived benefits
to society as a whole. The rewards to cadet adult
volunteers are also being increasingly publicised.
National recognition by major employers and
small businesses alike of the opportunities for
personal and professional development is widely
acknowledged and studying for qualifications
alongside Cadet Adult Volunteer work through
for example City and Guilds up to post graduate
level is increasingly popular.
The College boasted large Air Training Corps
and Army Cadet Force units during World War
11. Many readers will know that the Gordon's
CCF continued as an Army Section only from
the 1950s through to the 1990s, overseen by
many RGC 'characters' including Maj John
Dow MBE. The RAF Section, introduced by
the present contingent commander in 1994,
the MacRobert Hall Balcony full of invited guests
and friends of the College in November 2015.
The Gordonian WW1 Roll of Honour has
recently been extensively revised and extended
and thanks are due to College archivists Tom
Cumming and Penny Hartley for the tremendous
work which had been done. They in turn
would be the first to acknowledge the very
willing assistance of, amongst others, the
University of Aberdeen, Ann Park of the
Aberdeen and NE Scotland Family History
Society, the Gordon Highlanders Museum
(including their recently appointed curator
Ruth Duncan, School Captain 2009-10) and
historian and Colin Johnston (Class of ‘67).
The Roll, extremely moving yet fascinating,
was launched at the Remembrance Service
on 10 November 15. An online resource, it
can be seen at www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/
ww1rollofhonour and all Gordonians are invited
to access this excellent source of information.
With well in excess of
40,000 active cadets, the
Combined Cadet Force is
the UK’s 2nd largest Cadet
Force and exists in over
300 schools across the
UK, providing young people
aged 13-18 with a broad
range of challenging and
adventurous educational
opportunities. 20 of the
CCF units are in Scottish
Independent schools.
The military tradition
of Gordon’s

Gordonians with CCF experience from their
time at school or who have gone on to serve
in the regular or reserve forces share a great
interest in all things military. It is hoped that
significant interest can be generated amongst
this large group of former pupils and former
College staff and that a number of projects
may appeal.
The CCF Remembrance Service and Parade
will generally take place during the afternoon
of the Tuesday prior to 11th November. An
invitation will be issued each year, but all
Gordonians and friends will always be made
welcome.
We are fully aware that the Roll of Honour
will be a long term, ongoing project. The
advantage of an online resource is of course
that updates can be made at any time.
Omissions and inaccuracies come to light
occasionally and the archivists will be most
grateful to receive guidance whenever new
information comes to light. Likewise, we shall
be delighted to add any information family
members or others care to submit. This could
for example be a photograph, a letter home
from a serviceman, a newspaper item from
the time or a medal citation. It is hoped that,
as the Roll is more widely accessed, more and
more information will be submitted by the
wider Gordonian community and added to a
casualty's page.
The contingent commander has, to date,
visited almost 100 Gordonian war graves or
memorials in Europe and the UK, including
many of the 40 in Aberdeen and the North East,
and has identified Gordonian names on the
Menin Gate, Tower Hill Memorial and the RAF
Memorial at Runnymede. Full lists of war graves
The Combined Cadet Force Association Annual
Members' Dinner for schools in the UK took place
at the Russell Square Hotel, London in December
2015. A group of six local Gordonians joined Sqn
Ldr Daniel Montgomery, Head of College Simon Mills
and Assistant Director (Alumni Relations) Laura Pike
at the dinner. Lord Nicol Stephen ('78) kindly hosted
pre-dinner drinks and a tour at the House of Lords.
This set the scene for a wonderful evening of high
class entertainment and superb conversation around
the table. Those in attendance were, Paul Ritchie ('95),
Jamie Gilbert ('04), Stephanie Lawson ('04), Marcus
Rose ('12) and Laura Dedmon ('12).
“The Gordonian WW1 Roll
of Honour has recently
been extensively revised
and extended thanks to
the College archivists.
It is extremely moving
yet fascinating and
was launched at the
Remembrance Service.”
worldwide are available on the website and
from the College. We would be most grateful if
Gordonians would consider making a visit to a
grave or memorial at some point between now
and 11th November 2018, which of course will
mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1,
be it at home or, for the very many former pupils
living abroad, in Europe or for example the
United States, Canada, Australia or the Far East.
Finally for those who wish to meet as a
group, arrange a reunion or to share a table at
Gordonian dinners or other events. Capt Robbie
Kennedy RMR (Class of '01) has agreed to liaise
with interested Gordonians. He and Laura Pike
can be contacted through the Development
Office and they will be delighted to hear from
any of you with an interest in the military
tradition of the College at any time.
Wg Cdr Daniel W Montgomery,
Contingent Commander
TOP LEFT: cadets depart for camp at strensall,
yorkshire, 1954
TOP RIGHT: Pipe Band reunion, 2007
BELOW: RAF Cadet thomas hansford at raf
linton-on-ouse with gordonians lt cdr pete
lumsden, flt lt anton wisely and flt lt greg
house
LEFT: nijmegen marches participaNTS 1987

Hugh’s support to
the college is being
recognised in The Wood
Foundation Centre for
Science and Technology
in naming The Hugh Little
Room that recognises
his education in memory
of his father, also
named Hugh Little.
Hugh Little,
Class of ’75Hugh Wilson McIntosh Little was born in
Aberdeen on 15 March 1957. After starting
his education at Mile End Primary, he entered
Robert Gordon’s College in P3. His father, a
Quantity Surveyor, had been unable to afford
private schooling for Hugh’s two elder sisters,
and he had wanted to do this for his son. It was
only at the P3 stage of Hugh’s education that
his father was in a position to supplement his
income by lecturing at evening classes, such that
he could afford the school fees, a sacrifice for
which Hugh will ever be grateful. At Gordon’s
Hugh was a prefect, a member of the Debating
Society, the Chess Club, he played Bridge, and
as a member of the choir he took part in S1 in
the College production of The Mikado. In the
sporting area he played golf, rugby, and for
both cricket and badminton he was awarded
half colours and captained the 1st XI at Cricket.
At Aberdeen University Hugh graduated
in 1978 with an MA in Economics and
Accounting. He served his apprenticeship in
the Glasgow office of Arthur Young McLelland
Moores (subsequently through several mergers
to become Ernst & Young) obtaining his CA
qualification in 1982, and becoming an Audit
Manager. In 1983 he was given a one year
secondment to Highlands & Islands Enterprise
in Inverness, where responsibility was to
consider and then deliver equity and loan
packages for small businesses in that area. In
1984 he joined the Management Consultancy
division of Ernst & Young, initially in Glasgow
and then in their Aberdeen office, providing
advice to companies, principally on fundraising,
banking issues and financial systems and
processes.
In January 1987 he was approached by
Martin Gilbert (‘73) to join Aberdeen Asset
Management plc (“AAM”), a company at that
time in its infancy, with Hugh becoming only
its 9th employee, principally to work with the
CEO on a planned acquisition strategy, which
was executed between 1987 and 1990. He
then built AAM’s private equity business
up from scratch in 1990 to having assets
under management of c£250m, revenues of
£10m, and profits of £3m prior to its sale to
its management teams in 2009. During this
period he was a non executive director of a
number of private equity backed companies,
including Seaforth Maritime, Atlantic Power &
Gas and International Fish Canners, and also a
non-executive director of a number of private
equity funds, including Aberdeen Development
Capital PLC, Highlands & Islands Ventures and
Nova Oil & Gas fund.
Hugh become Head of Mergers &
Acquisitions for AAM in January 2007, since
then the company has successfully completed
10 acquisitions ranging in price from £10m to
£550m. Amongst the major successes were
Deutsche Bank Asset Management in 2007,
Glasgow Investment Managers in 2008,
Credit Suisse Asset Management in 2009, the
alternative asset class business of Royal Bank of
Scotland in 2010, Artio Global Investors and SVG
Advisers in 2013 and that of Scottish Widows
Investment Partnership in 2014, the latter being
one of the largest acquisitions seen in the UK.
Hugh took early retirement from AAM in
June 2015.
His work with AAM resulted in him becoming
a Director of Scottish Enterprise Grampian from
2001 to 2008 and a Director of the Aberdeen
Board of the Scottish Council for Development
and Industry from 2004 to 2009.
Hugh confesses that his directorial skills
were tested to the full whilst being a Director
of Aberdeen Football Club from 2000 to
2012, during the most challenging financial

circumstances in the history of Scottish football.
He describes the experience as being an honour,
but also as being far more stressful than any
other work he has undertaken in his career.
Hehasbeenabletoliveaslightlymorerelaxed
timescalesinceexitingAAM,buthedoesintendto
assumenon-executivedirectorroles,withalready
joining the Board of Drum Property Income REIT
PLC in May 2015, and Turcan Connell Asset
Management Ltd in November 2015.
Since September 2013, for an initial 3 year
period, Hugh has been a Visiting Professor at
Robert Gordon University (RGU), and in January
2015 he became a Governor of RGU.
On the sporting side, Hugh’s main interests
after leaving the College were cricket and golf.
Having had a taster by scoring and travelling
with the Gordonians Cricket 1st XI at College,
Hugh then moved to play Grade cricket with
St Ronald from 1975 to 1978, captaining the
Grade side at the tender age of 20. He is a
very keen golfer, having been a member at
Deeside Golf Club since he joined as a junior
member 50 years ago, and his firm ambition
is to return to the single figure handicap he
once held in his teens.
A family man, Hugh has been married to
Lesley for 11 years, and has two children from
his first marriage, Jenni (born in 1988) and
Graeme (born in 1990). His daughter, now
Jenni Wynn, has been a Junior School teacher
at Robert Gordon’s College for 5 years, a fact
of which Hugh is immensely proud and Graeme
has recently qualified as a CA with Anderson
Anderson and Brown.
Hugh’s commitment to Robert Gordon’s
College is demonstrated by his generosity as a
donor to the Phase 2 development at Schoolhill.
On the top floor of the new Wood Foundation
Centre for Science and Technology there is now
“The Hugh Little Room” which will be used
as a S6 research and lecture room. Given that
his father was also called Hugh, there could
be no more fitting tribute of the Little family’s
association with the school.
Hugh will address the Gordonian community
as Keynote Speaker at the Annual Dinner of the
Gordonian Association in March.
far left: Hugh little outside
the hugh little room.
this page top:
hugh with business studies
pupils and mrs j faRquHAr
Middle: Hugh with his
badminton team, 1975
Bottom: Hugh and his fellow
prefects, 1975
Hugh confesses that
his directorial skills
were tested to the
full whilst being a
Director of Aberdeen
Football Club

Robert Douglas Lockhart was born in 1894 and
attended Robert Gordon’s College from 1905-
1913. After graduating in Medicine from the
University of Aberdeen, he took up a position
as lecturer.
He was appointed in 1938 to the chair of
Anatomy at the University of Aberdeen and later
became Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. He was
recognized as one of the most able anatomists
of the United Kingdom and had an ardent
enthusiasm for research. He was the author of
ground-breaking publications in anatomy. His
Living Anatomy became the standard textbook
for medical students in the United Kingdom but
also in North and South America.
He served as a governor from 1946-1967
and as President of the Gordonian Association
from 1951 to 1953.
Prof Lockhart died in 1987, leaving a
substantial bequest to the Governors to provide
various prizes in memory of his parents and to
endow the Lockhart Sixth Year Scholarships.
In 2014, Alex Johnston, former Manager in
the Trustee Department of Clydesdale Bank,
contacted us to make a gift of the desk which
had belonged to Prof Lockhart to mark his
Historical Find
Robert Gordon's College made national
headlines in July when a number of skeletons
were discovered beneath the pavement at
the front gate of the College. Archaeologists
had been called in to examine the area before
contractors could start work, and they found the
remains of 30 bodies. It is believed that these
come from the burial ground of a friary built
around 1230 by the Dominicans, or Blackfriars,
on land donated by King Alexander II. The friary
and its church stood in extensive grounds now
occupied by the College. Earlier excavations in
the quadrangle in 1833 and 2009 discovered
walls and disturbed graves from the friary.
Aberdeenshire Council Archaeologist Bruce
Mann, Class of '94, was involved in monitoring
the dig. He said: “The bones are generally well
preserved and will now be sent for further
study. Alice Jaspars, Class of ’15 is currently
studying Archaeology at Oxford and spent time
with Cameron Archaeology talking about the
site. Alice said: “It was wonderful to have such a
find made so close to home and this is indicative
of the significance of Archaeology within the
local community. It was a pleasure to work with
Alison Cameron, and the find has led to the
opportunity to help excavate with the Old Deer
Community Project, another excellent project.”
I received an Abercromby Merit Prize.
What is the story behind them?
In 1936 Andrew Abercromby handed over
to Governors the sum of £500 to be used to
provide merit prizes for boys in the College
who “had shown marked ability or progress
during the session, but had failed to enter
the regular prize list”. The prizes are still
awarded to this day, one for every form
class.
Andrew Abercromby was born on 11th
October 1869. He came as a boarder to
Robert Gordon’s Hospital in May 1879. In
1881 the school became Robert Gordon’s
College, a fee paying day school. Boarding
was phased out but Andrew became a
Foundationer, meaning that he received a
bursary to pay his annual fees. On leaving
in May 1884 he became a clerk in the office
of Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners. He
later launched out on his own and became
a partner in a firm of coal merchants,
expanding the business and placing orders
locally for several coal steamers. He was
elected as a Harbour Commissioner in 1909
and during World War I was chairman of the
Port Labour Committee, involved in finding
work for the wounded.
He was a generous benefactor to the
College, working tirelessly for the Memorial
playing-field scheme at Seafield, and
was elected President of the Gordonian
Association 1926-28. He died on 5th
February 1946.
On gifting his money to the College he
wrote:
“I received a Foundation and was educated
at Gordon’s from 1879-1884 and wish to
show my appreciation of the school and
the education I received.”
Can you help the
Archivists?
Robert Murray D.A.
We have, in the College collection, a number
of paintings and prints by Robert Murray, Head
of Art at Gordon’s from 1928 to 1953. Mr John
Runcie, a former pupil and graduate of Gray's,
has a further 6 paintings by him including a
stunning portrait of John as Drum Sergeant
of the Pipe Band. We would like to view the
catalogue of paintings for Mr Murray's one-man
exhibition held in the MacRobert Hall in April
1952. Can anyone help us out?
Does anyone own an original "Murray"
painting or know someone who does? If so
please contact: archives@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
Ask The Archivist
A new feature in the Pelican
will enable readers to ask a
question about the history of
the College, which we’ll try to
answer from the records.
Please contact:
archives@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
appreciation of the excellent education which
his grand-daughters, Maxine (Class of ‘13) and
Louise Walker (Class of ‘15), had received at the
College. Mr Johnston had acted as Attorney in
the professor’s latter years and looked after his
financial affairs. After the professor’s death, Mr
Johnston received, as a memento, the desk at
which Prof Lockhart had written Living Anatomy
and revised Gray’s Anatomy.
The table has been restored to its original
function, a bijouterie display table, and has been
placed in the Governors’ Room. It will be used
to display items of importance relating to the
history of the College and its pupils.
The College records its gratitude to Mr
Johnston for such a generous and meaningful
gift.
Professor Robert Lockhart desk
News from the

The History of
the Quadrangle
AnewdisplayintheentrancehalloftheAuldHoose
tellsthestoryofthesiteofGordon’sCollegefrom
theMiddleAgestothepresentday. Throughmaps
andphotographsitillustratesthechangesoverthe
years: theBlackfriarsmonasterywhichwasfounded
there in the 12th century and the bodies from its
graveyarddiscoveredinanarchaeologicaldigonly
this summer; the destruction of the monastery
withtheresultthatthesitelayunoccupiedwhen
RobertGordonwaslookingforlandonwhichto
found his Hospital; the construction of the Auld
Hoose and its use as a fort in 1746 during the
Jacobiterebellion;theHospitalgardensopentothe
public,includingabowlinggreen;thevariousschool
buildings that have been added, right up to the
newCraigCentreandtheTheWoodFoundation
Centre. And it answers the questions why did
twocannonscapturedintheCrimeanWarstand
in front of the Auld Hoose, what were the “Tin
Palaces” and where was an air raid shelter built
during World War II.
Rare books donated to the GA
Following the request in the last issue of the Pelican, I am delighted to advise that the
Gordonian Association has received a gift of all four volumes of the Aberdeen University
Roll of Graduates. It is not only the value of the books which makes this gift so special, but
the rarity, particularly of all four volumes.
ThedonorisJohnMaxwellMilne,notaGordonianhimself,butsomeonewithagreataffinity
to Robert Gordon’s College and was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School. Mr Milne was
Managing Director of James G Bisset Ltd from 1954 to 1987, a bookshop of which many FPs
will have happy recollections. Mr Milne was a very keen and accomplished rugby player and
cricketer, and he has many happy memories of the sporting rivalry between the two schools
resulting in friendships with many former pupils of Gordon’s. Mr Milne served as Chairman of
the Board of Governors at Albyn School from 1982 to 1984. The Milne connection with RGC
continues through John’s son, Malcolm George Cameron Milne (1972-85), and his son-in-law,
Peter Vermuleun (1976-83).
Mr Milne’s father was John Nelson Milne who attended Gordon’s from1911 - 1915. He
became President of what was then known as the Robert Gordon’s College Former Pupils’
Association, and then became a Governor of the College. Jack Webster’s book “The Auld Hoose”
gives more detailed involvement of Mr Milne’s father in the history of Robert Gordon’s College.
Do you remember this Junior School class with Miss Helene Porter? Can you help us by providing
a date and the names of any of the pupils? Please email p.hartley@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
Class VI 1966-67 Perhaps you were in this class, or can remember the names of boys who were.
We would be delighted to hear from you if you can fill in the gaps.
Archives

At a time when the College is commemorating
the pupils who gave their lives in World War I,
this is also an opportunity to remember an artist
who played an important part in honouring the
fallen by designing stained glass windows as war
memorials in several churches and notably, for
the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh
Castle. The artist was a former pupil of Robert
Gordon’s College, Douglas Strachan.
Robert Douglas Strachan was born on 26th
May 1875, the eldest son of Hercules Strachan,
a pawnbroker’s assistant, and his wife Isabella,
née Livingston. He came from a large family,
with two sisters and four brothers. His early
educationwasattheChurchofScotlandPractising
School, part of the system for training teachers
in Aberdeen. Known at that time as Robert,
he entered Gordon’s College in August 1884,
aged 9, and stayed for three years. The family
was never well-off; although he longed to train
as an artist, Robert had to leave school to find
employment with a granite merchant. He was
however able to enrol for evening classes at the
recently founded Gray’s School of Art. Their
records show that Robert D. Strachan, Office
Boy, received one of 20 bursaries as a result of his
performance in a Freehand Drawing Examination
held in September 1888.
For the next six years Strachan continued to
put himself through his training in Art by earning
bursaries to cover his fees and winning cash
prizes for his work. By 1891 he was working
as a lithographer with Aberdeen Free Press, and
when he finished his course of evening classes,
he studied for a year at the Life School of The
Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
From1895to1897Strachan,bynowknownby
hismiddlenameDouglas,wasbasedinManchester,
working as an artist on several newspapers and
drawing political cartoons for the Manchester
Evening Chronicle. However ill health forced his
return to the family home in Aberdeen. There his
work attracted the attention of enamellist James
Cromar Watt who became his patron. With
Cromar Watt paying the bills, the two friends
set off to study art on a year-long tour of Europe
and the Middle East.
When he returned to Aberdeen in 1898,
Strachan took up a career as a portrait painter
and was also commissioned to paint murals. His
images of Orpheus and Apollo can still be seen in
the Music Hall. It was in 1899 that he first tried
his hand with stained glass work when architect
William Kelly asked him to produce a window
for St Nicholas’ Kirk. He became so fascinated
with the medium that it became his life’s work.
Aberdeen has several examples of his windows
including those in King’s College Chapel and St
Machar’s Cathedral.
In 1909 he married Elsie Cromar and moved
to Edinburgh to take up an appointment as Head
of Crafts at Edinburgh College of Art, where he
taught for two years. Winning a competition to
design four huge windows for the Peace Palace in
The Hague (1911-13) brought him international
recognition. In 1920 his contribution to the arts
was acknowledged when he was elected an
honorary member of the Royal Scottish Academy.
This was followed in 1923 by the award of an
honorary degree by Aberdeen University, while
in 1938 he was elected a Freeman of the City
of London following his invitation to join the
Worshipful Company of Glaziers.
He never lacked commissions and completed
over 350 windows the length and breadth of
Britain, from St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney
down to Winchelsea Parish Church in Sussex, and
including prestigious work in Glasgow Cathedral,
Paisley Abbey and St Giles’ Cathedral. His largest
project, designing the windows for the Scottish
NationalWarMemorial,tookfouryears(1923-27).
He always considered his finest work to be the St
Dunstan window in St Paul’s Cathedral in London
and in fact the Dean called it “beyond doubt
the finest window in the Cathedral.” However
this was tragically destroyed by bombing during
World War II.
In spite of his constant work, he always found
time for friends and family. He and Elsie had
two daughters, Elma and Una, and enjoyed
holidays in Ballater, or touring the cathedral towns
of England. They moved from Edinburgh to a
house in the country, Pittendriech in Lasswade,
Midlothian where he had a studio built. It was
here that he died on 20th November 1950,
aged 75, still working. He is buried in the Dean
Cemetery in Edinburgh.
In the words of Sir John Stirling Maxwell: “he
was a man of great kindness and modesty and
courage, with all the pride proper in a great artist,
but without a trace of vanity. As a companion
he was interesting and stimulating, completely
reliable, appreciative of the work of others and a
great lover of children.” His artistic output was
remarkable, not only the number of windows he
created but the consistent quality of the design.
Penny Hartley, Archivist
An Artist in Stained Glass
The War Memorial Window at King’s College Chapel, photographed by kind permission of the
Chaplaincy of the University of Aberdeen
William Wallace window at St Margaret’s
Chapel, Edinburgh Castle
WTanks from the Machinery of War window
at the Scottish National War Memorial in
the grounds of Edinburgh Castle.

Kenneth Anderson (Classics 1964-1972)
“After more than 7 enjoyable years as Principal
Teacher of Classics at RGC, I decided in 1972
to return to the state school sector - a move
described by one long-serving Gordon’s
colleague as entering the “blackboard jungle”!
Undeterred, I worked successively in Portobello
High School (2000 pupils and 8 storeys high),
Perth Grammar School (recently established
and barely 5 years old), and finally for 11
years as Rector of Grove Academy in Dundee
(a school which celebrated its centenary during
my tenure). An interesting and varied career,
after which I have been lucky enough to enjoy
23 years of active retirement, involved at various
times with church work, choral singing, golf
and visiting our son and his family in Australia.”
Graham Bowman (Junior School 1976-2008)
“After retiring, I moved south to live in
Montrose, my childhood home. Here, my wife
and I have been fortunate to meet up with
many old friends and to have made many new
ones. The beautiful local countryside, stunning
beaches and rugged coastline provide many
walking opportunities. I enjoy golfing, DIY in
the house and garden, increasing my limited
knowledge of antiques and art, being involved
in local clubs and activities, but, most of all,
spending time with my grandchildren and
family, who live locally. I send my best wishes
to all former colleagues and pupils.”
Louise Counsell (nee Jolly) (Music 1994-
2012)
“I tried to retire, twice actually, but it never
worked and now I am teaching a day and a half
at St Margaret’s School for Girls in Aberdeen, as
well as a very few local pupils. I run a weekly
concert for dementia support, Banchory’s
Forget-me-Not club, for which Tom Cummings
(previous Head of Modern Languages) has
sometimes kindly played. I give support to the
music of a couple of local churches, garden
when it’s not too cold and very much enjoy
fewer early morning drives in to Aberdeen.”
Fiona Currie (Computing 1996-2014)
“At the start of last year I found myself helping
out at Albyn School for a few months but, as
soon as the exam period was under way, the
lure of the fairways at Stonehaven Golf Club
proved too great and I put my teaching career
well and truly behind me. I started playing tennis
again in earnest but, although I am beginning
to find my form with the racquet, my lack of
speed around the court is very frustrating. One
of my highlights of 2015 was an appearance,
albeit brief, on Channel 4’s Countdown.
Unfortunately my opponent’s knowledge of
the dictionary far outshone mine as he cruised
his way to eight wins and a place in the final.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience
and relished the opportunity to rub shoulders
with Nick Hewer and the rest of the cast. A
recent trip to the Canary Islands gave me the
opportunity to revisit my love of sailing and,
having completed my RYA Competent Crew
certificate, John and I are now planning future
trips on the high seas!”
John Dow (Physical Education 1952-89) and
Sillerton Boarding House Master (1974-89)
After retirement, John continued as a rugby
referee until the age of 70. He assisted in RYLA
(Rotary Youth Leadership Award) Camps for 5
years. He also acted as a guide in the Gordon
Highlanders’ Museum for about 10 years. Now
living in Westhill, Parkinsons has affected his
mobility, but his mind is still as sharp as ever.
Gordon Hendry (Junior School 1969-2000)
“I can hardly believe how time has flown since
I retired 15 years ago. My wife and I have spent
holidays in Australia and New Zealand and have
visited family, including five grandchildren, in
Malaysia, the United States, the Isle of Man
and the Scottish Borders. When I am at home I
enjoy walking, fair weather gardening, reading
and listening to sport on my beloved radio.”
Alex Mouat (History 1958-1962)
“I succeeded Mr John McIntosh as principal
teacher of history at RGC in 1958. In 1962
I accepted the opportunity to become head
of a newly formed department at Montrose
Academy, where I had begun my teaching
career. There I remained until I retired in 1985,
becoming depute rector in 1969 and rector
in 1978. My thirty years of retirement have
been spent happily in Montrose, golfing and
studying some aspects of local history. Despite
the shortness of my stay at RGC, I retain many
good memories of my time there, and I wish
the College all success.”
Kate Richmond (Modern Languages 1976-
2010)
“Now living in Orkney and am keeping
myself busy. In Spring and Summer I work as
a language guide with German passengers
from visiting liners. Am also a member of the
St. Magnus Festival Chorus and sing in the
Cathedral choir on a Sunday. Am well into
learning the Orkney traditional fiddle and play
in a small fiddle group. Also enjoy bird watching,
Astronomy and trying to keep our garden
under control. Keeping in touch with family
and friends is both a pleasure and a priority.”
Roderick Richmond (English/SQA 1978-
2011)
“I’m retired and living in Orkney. I volunteer at
the local museum, photographing some of the
thousands of artefacts which are not on display,
as part of a concerted move to establish an
online illustrated catalogue; it can be anything
from a Viking nit comb to neolithic pot sherds.
In Spring I do volunteer field-walking with the
local archaeologists, looking for evidence of
lost prehistoric sites. As a Meeter and Greeter
I welcome artists and performers to the Annual
St Magnus Festival and take them to their
accommodation - though anything bigger
than a cello in the car is a bit of a squeeze.
Over the summer I’ve become involved with
taking visiting tourists round the islands, and
with over a hundred liners due to visit in 2016,
this will take up even more of my time. We
like to keep up with family and friends so trips
south, and visitors from south, are highlights
when we get the time.”
Have you heard?
Have you heard about these former teachers?
Some readers will remember the popular feature in the older Gordonian magazines where
former pupils gave an update on where they were and what they were doing. Using this
formula, we thought that former pupils would be interested to hear how their former teachers
were faring, and what they had done since leaving Robert Gordon’s College.
The following is a taster of what can feature in future issues of this magazine, and your
comments would be appreciated. If you have information on any of your teachers of the past,
please email: pelican@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk

The new rooms, beds and furniture were very
comfortable but it was daunting to think that I
would be the only girl sleeping in the boarding
house; with thirty-three boys sleeping in the
upstairs dorms! It was lovely to meet Diane,
Gordon’s second female boarder. I immediately
clicked with my new roommate as we had lived
together for 3 years in our former girls boarding
house. We are still in touch to this day.
Having come from an all girls school with its
strict regime for cleaning, washing and drying, I
found Robert Gordon’s to be much more relaxed
and homely. I had a linen basket in my room
and once my clothes found their way in there,
someone else did the rest, it was just like being
at home! We had a poster on our door and a
pin board for other personal mementos and
photographs. A married couple, Mr and Mrs
Thorpe lived in a flat within the boarding house
and they kept a close eye on us while we settled
in. The couple had two boys so caring for girls
must have been a novelty for the pair. Mrs.
Thorpe was the person we turned to with any
problems.
We had set times for “lights out” but Diane
and I always found something to chat about.
Diane had a very infectious laugh which kept
us both giggling way past the time when
we should have been asleep. In fact I never
ran out of things to talk about and I soon
had a reputation for hogging the payphone
to call my parents and even my boyfriend -
often just an hour or so after we had said
goodbye at school! I’m not sure what we had
to talk about! The phone was in the stairwell
between two floors of accommodation so
conversations were never particularly private.
We organised visits to school friends’ homes
and went to discos at the local church;
effectively we did the same things that our
day pupil friends did.
I had a very good experience at Robert
Gordon’s. The fact that my parents lived
overseas didn’t upset me; I looked forward
to seeing them during the holidays. I think I had
to be tougher in dealing with any antics the
boys would throw at me. At the girls school,
we attended balls with the same group of boys,
but living with them meant contending with
the occasional rugby tackle and they would
try to scare us by dressing up as ghosts. They
would also try to wake us up by tapping on our
bedroom window with old juice cans dangling
on a piece of string. But worse still was the
initiation “cold bath”!
When I wanted some peace and quiet, I got
up early and headed over to the swimming
pool. Aside from swimming, Diane and I often
talked about going jogging and getting fit. On
the odd day we did get up early for a run, we
would only make it as far as the roundabout
we could see from our dorm window dressed
in running shoes with a fleece over our PJs!
We had to sign in and out of the boarding
house but, when we weren’t in lessons, we
were given freedom to do a lot of things which
I think helped me greatly in life: learning to
drive, acting the lead female role in the school
musical and memorably visiting Paris; during
which time I turned eighteen. Being on a school
trip, I had to make do by celebrating with two
cans of Coca Cola!
Boarding helped me to stand on my own
two feet. When I lost my contact lens down
the dorm sink, I realised that my scraping of
pocket money wouldn’t cover a replacement
- contact lenses cost a lot of money in 1989!
So I saved up sandwiches, purloined from the
house kitchen, and sold them to the boys
at school. I did quite well, earning £25, but
it wasn’t enough to replace my contact lens
so eventually I confessed to my parents. That
entrepreneurial spirit and resilience helped me
to be successful in business. Supported by the
Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, I left my
job in the banking and finance sector to embark
on a career in health and beauty. I set up my
own salon; employed a team of therapists
and taught at the local college. The lateral 6
years in Aberdeen had me volunteering at the
P.S.Y.B.T as a ‘dragons den panel member’. We
scrutinised business plans and then decided
who we helped to mentor, (25 year olds and
under) to set up and establish businesses within
Aberdeen and surrounding districts.
After 17 years I sold the business, got
married and now have three kids aged five,
six and seven who keep me busy. I am now
preparing to launch my new beauty business,
Mrs M Therapy, in Edinburgh and I am really
excited about where this venture will take me.
Boarding at Sillerton House gave me real life
experiences in a mixed environment that I am
sure has contributed to my confidence in taking
on new challenges in life; something for which
I’m eternally grateful.
Shairron (McDonald)
Murray, Class of ’90
Boarding at
Sillerton
House gave
me real life
experiences
in a mixed
environment
that I am
sure has
contributed to
my confidence
in taking
on new
challenges in
life; something
for which
I’m eternally
grateful.
I was one of sixteen sixth year girls that joined
Robert Gordon’s college in 1989 when the school
went co-ed for the first time. For a short while I
was the only female boarder.

Clockwise from Top: Sillerton house, Cast of Oliver 1990,
Shairron celebrating her 18th birthday in paris, Paris trip

Congratulations on being named as an
ecurie ecosse young driver. What is your
role in this initiative?
My role as an Ecurie Ecosse Young Driver is
to race under the prestigious Ecurie Ecosse
name and to be developed and nurtured by
the team over the coming years with the hope
of becoming a professional driver at races such
as Le Mans 24Hours. It is a huge privilege to
be able to be a part of such a successful team
that have helped some of Scotland’s biggest
Motorsport legends in their careers such as Sir
Jackie Stewart, the late Jim Clark OBE, Allan
MacNish, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti.
How do you train to ensure you are at peak
performance on the track?
My training is mostly based upon cardiovascular
fitness. This means I have to do lots of running,
cycling, swimming etc. This is mainly because
during a race the car can get extremely hot
inside and if you are driving for a long time you
can become fatigued extremely quickly due to
the heat and the intense concentration required
to drive a racing car on the limit. Strength is
also an important factor whilst driving. When
you have corners that are taken in excess of
100mph, such as Copse corner at Silverstone,
your body can experience up to 4G. This means
that your neck and core need to be strong in
order to keep your body stable in the car. To
add to that, single seater formula cars do not
have power steering (unless you drive an F1
car) and so your arms and shoulders need to
be strong in order to handle the weight of the
car while cornering.
Ideally, I train enough to be physically capable
of driving a car that is two steps in my career
ladder above what I am at now. So, for me that
means I must be physically capable to drive a
Formula 3 car. This means that when I drive the
Formula Ford, I don’t have to worry about losing
concentration or not being strong enough to
control the car over a long period of time.
What inspired you to make the transition
from karts to cars?
My last year of karting was in 2012. I injured
my hand which resulted in me missing a round
of the British Championship that summer. With
no possibility of me winning the championship
following the injury and after lengthy discussions
with my dad and team at the time, it was
decided that I should put an end to my karting
career and progress into the world of cars as
soon as I turned 16 years old. I always knew that
the jump into cars would come at some point
around 2012/2013 but my injury brought the
whole process forward by 6 months!
Who has really inspired you, and why?
When I was younger, Lewis Hamilton was
always my idol because of the way he had
managed to make his way to the pinnacle
of Motorsport (Formula 1) even though he
didn’t come from the privileged background
that most aspiring young drivers come from. I
think what also inspires me about Lewis is that
he recognises how hard you have to work to
get to where you want and how important it
is to make sure that you are the most prepared
out of everyone in order to make sure that you
get where you want because of your own hard
work and determination.
Throughout my school career every one of
my teachers has inspired me in one way or
another. There are two that stand out for me.
Mr Elder was always there to offer his support
and encouragement whenever I needed it. Also,
my guidance teacher Mrs McEwan was amazing
at making sure I was coping with missed work
and showing an interest in what I was doing
From Schoolhill to Kno
Adam Mackay, Class of ’15,
Scottish Formula Ford Champion
BORN IN ABERDEEN, ADAM IS CURRENTLY ENJOYING MOTORSPORT SUCCESS ON THE
GRID WITH A 14 OUT OF 15 RACE WIN THIS SEASON IN THE SCOTTISH FORMULA FORD
CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH ULTIMATELY SAW HIM CROWNED AS THE 2015 SCOTTISH FORMULA
FORD CHAMPION. RACING FROM THE AGE OF NINE HE STARTED A MOTORSPORT CAREER
FOLLOWING AN INDOOR KARTING SESSION WITH HIS DAD. THINKING THIS WOULD BE A GREAT
WEEKEND HOBBY FOR THEM HIS DAD PURCHASED HIS FIRST GO-KART THAT CHRISTMAS WHICH
RESULTS IN ADAM GAINING HIS RACING LICENCE FOUR MONTHS ON. STUDYING MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE IN LONDON WHILST PURSUING HIS MOTORSPORT DREAM,
SHELLEY LEE TALKS TO ADAM ABOUT GOING FROM GO-KARTS TO FORMULA 1.

- making sure I got the best out of my school
career. Without those two I don’t think my career
would be at the stage that it is now.
You have seen a great career in Racing, what
has been your most memorable sporting
achievement so far?
I think my most memorable sporting achievement
so far would be the first time I won a British
Championship race in karting. This was in
2009 and the race took place in Genk, Belgium
and despite it not being the most important
achievement to date I think it is the most
memorable as it made me realise that I could
actually be good at what I do. From that moment
Dad and I knew that all the effort and hard work
we had put into getting there was 100% worth
it and it is what ultimately transformed my career
into something extremely serious.
During your school years, what did you
enjoy within and beyond the classroom?
I enjoyed engaging in each subject, especially
when it came to my Advanced Higher
investigations in Physics and Chemistry. I really
enjoyed sports at Countesswells and taking
part in house events for Straloch!
You were greatly admired at school for
your academic achievements, dedication
to Motorsport and finished your final year
as Straloch House Captain. What is your
favourite school memory?
I think my favourite school memory would have
to be either S6 House Karaoke or the Gordonian
Dinner. They were both really fun events and
I definitely miss being Straloch House Captain
and getting to attend and be part of all the
house activities.
What’s next for you?
My main goal at this time is still to become a
professional racing driver on the world stage.
With the help of the Ecurie Ecosse Young
Driver Initiative and a couple of other exciting
developments coming soon, I have a great
chance of making my dream a reality.
I am just back from competing in the ‘Race
of Remembrance’ in a Lotus Exige GT car which
was my first experience of endurance racing and
driving at night. I really enjoyed my time doing
that and my team won so I think over the winter
break we will be looking at GT and endurance
racing options as well as Single Seater options.
However, it always comes down to how big your
budget is, so over the winter break my main
aims are to be as fit and ready as possible
for whatever challenge is next and to also try
and find additional sponsorship in order to
open essential doors that can take my career
to the next level.
My back-up plan after graduating is to
use my Mechanical Engineering degree
to become an engineer at the top of the
Motorsport world.
What advice would you have for anyone
interested in pursuing a career as a
racing driver?
I think the most important thing I would
say to someone looking to progress through
the ranks of Motorsport would be to never
take anything for granted and spend your
money wisely. If you appreciate what you
have and work hard to get it then people
will recognise that and reward you for it.
There are a lot of young drivers who just
want to race in a glamorous championship
and become stuck there because they run
out of money and don’t realise how hard
you need to work to get where you want
to be.
ockhill
My back-up plan after
graduating is to use my
Mechanical Engineering
degree to become an
engineer at the top of
the Motorsport world.
PhotocourtseyofMickWalker

success, but also had the time for rugby 2nd
XV representation, a lead role in our Stardust
production and he was a very committed
and enthusiastic House Captain for Straloch.
He continues to be a real inspiration for our
younger boys and girls and I wish him all the
best at Imperial and on the track.”
Mrs Louisa McEwan
“We are delighted
to see the ongoing
success of Adam with
both his motor sport
racing and with his
university course.
Adam represents a
very promising racing
driver for Scotland and the UK and brings
his engineering studies and natural talent on
the track together in a very exciting fusion.”
Mr Simon Mills
“Since Adam’s arrival in P6 as a little go-kart
driver he has been steadily progressing onwards
and upwards to Formula 1. He is an academic
genius, and a charming man which goes
along wonderfully with his sharp and lovely
appearance. He’s a naturally gifted guy who is
funny and always finds the best in people. ”
Yearbook Class of 2015
"I remember having
Adam in my S1 English
class and being very
jealous of the fact that,
at the tender age of
12, he had won an all
expenses trip to the
Monza Grand Prix for
his kart racing and had been presented with
his prize by Jenson Button! For the rest of his
time at RGC, I marvelled at the way in which
he managed to juggle school work so well
with an incredibly demanding and successful
motor sport schedule. In addition to achieving
top grades in all of his SQA exams, Adam
was Straloch House Captain in his final year
at school and became the first pupil in the
history of Gordon's to be awarded Colours
for Motor Racing - a pretty impressive set of
achievements in anyone's book! Despite all
that, Adam is a thoroughly grounded and
pleasant individual with an engaging sense of
humour, as demonstrated by his willingness
to sport a very fetching yellow dress for the
House Swimming fancy dress relay race! It
has been a huge pleasure to know Adam and
to observe his development over the years. I
send my warmest congratulations to him on
his Scottish Formula Ford title and wish him
all the best with his Formula 4 plans for next
season as well as with his continuing studies
at Imperial College, London."
Mr Mike Elder
“I remember when
Adam bounced into my
geography class in S1;
he was a bright boy with
bags of confidence and
a witty sense of humour!
It has been very exciting
to watch Adam's motor
racing career grow over the last 6 years. He is
a fantastic young man who not only achieved
academic excellence alongside motor racing
Sporting Achievements:
• November 2015: Race of Remembrance
at Anglesey Circuit – 1st place
• October 2015: Formula Ford Festival at
Brands Hatch – 8th place
• October 2015: Scottish Formula Ford
Champion (14 wins in 15 races)
• September 2015: Scottish Formula Ford
Championship and British Formula Ford
Championship round wins
• March 2015: Ecurie Ecosse Young Driver
Initiative member
• 2014: 3rd in Scottish Formula Ford
Championship
• 2014: Scottish Formula Ford
Championship Newcomers’ Champion
• 2011: Super One Junior Rotax British
Karting Championship – 10th place.
• 2010: Super One MiniMax Rotax British
Karting Championship – 7th place (3
wins, 5 podiums)
• 2009: MSA Cadet British Karting
Championship – 7th place (1 win, 2
podiums)
• 2009: Scottish Cadet Karting Champion
• 2009: Bernie Ecclestone Driver Award
Adam Mackay:
school memories and messages
PhotoscourtseyofSnappyRacers/JonBryant

Robert was born in Aberdeen on 19th June
1922. Brought up in Woodside, Bert (as he was
affectionately known) attended Hilton Primary
(where he was apparently an enthusiastic football
player), before entering Gordon’s in September
1934 on a six year bursary. In his last three years
at school he played in the rugby 1st XV and the
cricket 1st XI, winning a blue in both sports,
and was captain of rugby in his final year. An
outstanding natural leader, his appointment as
School Captain was almost inevitable, with the
resultantawardoftheOtakiShield.Unfortunately,
because of the circumstances of WW2, he was
unable to travel to New Zealand.
Bert was first posted to the London Irish Rifles
butlatertransferredtotheCameronians.Heserved
in Europe from ‘D Day’ until the end of hostilities
there, and at the time of demobilisation in 1946
had attained the rank of Captain, attached to the
Essex Regiment. During this wartime period, Bert
played rugby for Westminster Bank , was chosen
for O.C.T.U. XV in North Wales, played for the
52(L) Division XV against Glasgow, Edinburgh
& Aberdeen Select XV’s, and played for “British
Troops Berlin”. At any time when his unit was in
North East Scotland he assisted the Gordonians
Rugby team.
In season 1946-47, out of the army and with
Gordoniansoncemore,BertrepresentedtheNorth
ofScotlandagainsttheMidlandsandtheSouth,and
played the final trial at Murrayfield. After playing
brilliantlyfortheNorthagainsttheMidlandsatPerth
andtheWallabiesatLinksfield,Bertwasselected
to play for Scotland against Australia on 22nd
November 1947. This was the first occasion on
whichaGordonianhadplayedrugbyforScotland.
Oneobservercommented“Nobodywhosawthat
thrilling game will easily forget that fiery, speedy,
ubiquitous forward, as full of enthusiasm and
energyatno-sideasatthekick-off”.Bertfollowed
this success with three further caps in the same
season against France, Wales and Ireland. In the
ScottishsidewerealsotwofamousGrammarian
rugbyplayers,Allardyce&Innes,anditwasmost
unfortunate that the programme for the Welsh
match also described Bert as a Grammarian - an
errordifficulttoforgive.InthematchagainstIreland
atDublin,heunfortunatelyreceivedakneeinjury
which kept him out of the game for the rest of
the season and lost him the chance of playing in
thatyear’sCalcuttaCupmatchagainstEnglandat
Murrayfield. In his four internationals he had the
unusualdistinctionofappearinginthreedifferent
forward positions - something which on its own
may be a unique record. Bert was Captain of the
Gordonian Rugby Club in season 1947-48, and
was a great servant of the Club, as a player, a
selectorandadministrator,latterlyinthecapacityof
PresidentandHonoraryPresident.Healsoserved
asaselectorfor,andsecretaryof,theNorthDistrict
Scottish Rugby Union.
Although obviously best known for his rugby
prowess, Bert was no mean cricketer. At College
he gained his full blue playing for the College 1st
XI where the Gordonian Magazine of June 1939
describes him as “the spearhead of the attack”
and “the best fielder in the side”. His noteworthy
performance was taking 7 wickets for 18 runs,
helping to dismiss Aberdeen Grammar School
for 64 all out. In that season (in S5) he took 44
wickets with an average of 7.9. Although playing
a few Grade cricket matches for his local team -
Woodside, Bert committed himself to Gordonians
Cricket Club, and whilst still in S5 in 1939 he
took 6 wickets for 10 runs against Montrose,
and in 1940 he had continuing success with
Gordonians, with his best performance being
7 wickets for 23 against Cults.
Bert’scommitmenttotheGordonianCommunity
was further displayed by his holding office as
secretary/treasurer of the Seafield Club for 25
years. His deserved appointment as President of
the Gordonian Association from 1974 to 1976
was a fitting accolade. He was invited to open
RGC’s new grandstand at Countesswells in 2000.
Bert’scareerwasinbanking,wheremostofhis
Bankcolleaguesknewhimas“Bob”.Heentered
the Aberdeen Savings Bank straight from school
in 1940 but this stay was very brief due to the
demandsofwartime.Heresumedhisemployment
after the war, with spells at Head Office in Union
Terrace,Rosemount,HolburnandEasternoffices.
In1952hewasappointedManageroftheBank’s
branchatStornoway.Duringthefamily’sfiveyear
stayonLewis,Bertestablishedrugbyontheisland
by founding the Stornoway Rugby Club, which
is still going strong today in the Scottish regional
league system. He also revived the Stornoway
Cricket Club, and was secretary/treasurer of the
StornowayBowling&TennisClub.Whenreturning
toAberdeenheenteredthePropertyDepartmentat
theBank,andthenwasappointedBranchManager
at two Aberdeen city branches - Torry in 1966
and Union Street Branch in 1975, before retiring
in 1984. During his latter years at the Bank, he
was a “sleeping partner” with his wife, Marian,
andhisdaughterMarilyn,intheMannofieldHotel,
whichthefamilyranfrom1972until1987.After
his retiral from the Bank, he and his wife had
severalinternationalholidays,funnilyenoughmost
coincidingwithrugbygamesabroad,andindeed
onesuchtripfollowingtheEnglishrugbysideon
tour. In 1984 he was able to visit New Zealand,
which he had been deprived of visiting as Otaki
scholar 44 years previously.
Bert first joined the Territorial Army in Lewis
with the Lovat Scouts, and back in Aberdeen
continued his association with the T.A. in the
GordonHighlanders. HeservedwiththatRegiment,
latterly in the rank of Major, until the T.A. as such
was stood down. His service gained him the
Territorial Decoration.
BehindthisoverttoughnessBertwasakindand
genial man who was always willing to help others.
He was an elder and session clerk at Mannofield
Church, treasurer of the Friends of Pitfodels, a
Burgess of the Guild of the City of Aberdeen,
and a member of the Cults Bowling Club.
He died on 16th June 2001, just three days
before his 79th birthday. Bert Bruce was a
committed Gordonian, and perhaps a measure
of his dedication to his old school was that after
he retired he bought a house on the site of the
College’s old playing field at Seafield and called
the house ‘Otaki’.
Gordonian
Sporting Legends
Robert Mitchell Bruce, Class of ‘40
Over the years there have been many excellent sportsmen who have been former pupils of
Robert Gordon’s College. The Aberdeen Sports Council maintain a Sporting Hall of Fame, and
there have been three intakes of inductees between 2006 and 2010. In addition to this Paul
Smith of The Press and Journal published a book in 2010 entitled ‘Granite Legends - Aberdeen
Sporting Heroes’, profiling fifty sportsmen. This last list replicates some in the Sporting Hall of
Fame, but there are others who appear solely in this book. In all there are thirteen Gordonians
in the two listings, and we will be profiling one Gordonian Sporting Legend in each edition
of the Pelican, in approximate chronological order. The first profile is the first ever Gordonian
Rugby Internationalist.
Bert was selected to play
for Scotland against
Australia in 1947. This was
the first occasion on which
a Gordonian had played
rugby for Scotland.

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