Absent Friends – Gone but not Forgotten
The Fairbairn Family
Of all the early members of ‘Let it Blaw’, no family contributed more than the Fairbairn family. It appears their line can be traced back within the Balerno area to the birth of a James Fairbairn in 1730, who in turn had a son James born in 1752, and the next generation James Fairbairn […]
George Y. Robertson
Not a Founder Member but was definitely in attendance at the Club’s first Supper in 1881 — President 1882, 1883, 1884, 1888, 1894, 1897, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909 — Bard 1888, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1913 Croupier 1911 Proposer of the Toast “The Immortal Memory of […]
Thomas Horsburgh JP
” Tom “ Born 25th November 1856 at Niddry Mill Died 11th May 1938 in Edinburgh, aged 82 — Not a ‘Founder Member’ but was in attendance at the Club’s first Supper in 1881 — President 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926 1927, 1928, 1929, […]
Frederick J Belford
” Fred “ Born 12th March 1886 in Gordon, Berwickshire Died 24th February 1980 in Edinburgh, aged 93 — The first and only Honorary Life Member of the Burns Federation Appointed Honorary President of the Burns Federation in 1960 President of the Burns Federation 1959 Honorary Vice President of the Burns Federation 1955 — Past President […]
Harry & Robin Rankin
We might be justified in creating two tributes, one for each of the two brothers but, as their names are so often intertwined when spoken of to this day, it’s appropriate they remain together. Henry Rankin ” Harry “ Born 30th September 1893 at Newmills, Currie Died 1983 in Currie, aged 89 — Honorary Member of […]
Willie Shanks BEM
” Willie “ Born 7th December 1905 at Muiravonside, near Linlithgow Died 14th August 1995 in Livingston, aged 89 — Honorary Member of ‘Let it Blaw’ British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 1991 New Year Honours for services to the Balerno Burns Club Certificate of Long Service within the Burns Federation in 1974 — […]
Jim Tait
” Jim “ Born 27th November 1922 in Sandwick, Shetland Died 29th April 2011 in Edinburgh, aged 88 — Honorary Member of ‘Let it Blaw’ — Honorary President 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2011 — President 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 — Vice President 1987 […]
Rev. David D. Ogston
” David “ Born 25th March 1945 in Ellon Died 22nd September 2008 in Perth, aged 63 — Chaplain 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 — Proposer of the Toast “The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns” 1977, 1996 Proposer of the Toast “The Lasses” 1976 Reply to the Toast “The Lasses” 1980, 1983 Proposer of […]
Rev. David C. Stewart
” Davie “ born 25th September 1860 in Ochiltree, Ayrshire died 11th February 1950 at the Manse, Currie Kirk, Aged 89 Proposer of the Toast “The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns” 1908, 1935 Proposer of the Toast “The Lasses” 1928, 1934 Proposer of the Toast “Kindred Clubs” 1926 Reply to the Toast “Kindred Clubs” […]
Gordon Grant
Honorary Member of ‘Let it Blaw’ — Born 23rd June 1918 in Edinburgh Died 13th March 2006 in Edinburgh, aged 87 — Honorary Vice President 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 — Secretary 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998 — Recited the Address “To a Haggis” 1985, 1995 Proposer […]