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Sandy Scotland has died

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    We are very sad to hear of Sandy Scotland's death, following illness Here with then Transport Convener @LAHinds & Council Leader @AndrewDBurns

    Sandy joined Spokes in 1980s and was pivotal in many projects e.g. pics below Also @CyclingScotland , @SEStran and his beloved @CSMOA_

    https://twitter.com/spokeslothian/status/1559170875806597120

    Sandy will be well known to many here.

    Friendly, jovial, knowledgeable and passionate about things including cycle infrastructure and cricket (he was a world travelling umpire).

    A lot of the credit for the ‘slightly good’ state of ‘cycling’ in Edinburgh is always - justifiably - given to Spokes and its 45 years of campaigning, events, maps and newsletters.

    But behind the scenes MUCH credit has to go to Sandy and his dedicated and dogged trawling of planning applications looking for places where developers failed to take adequate account of the needs of people on foot or bikes.

    Some of this, was wilfully money saving, other inadequate designs just due to ignorance of any idea of ‘best practice’ or indeed imagination.

    Sandy duly delivered comments and objections on behalf of Spokes.

    On one occasion he asked planning officers why they had approved a particular application.

    ‘Spokes didn’t object so we thought it was OK.’

    Sandy had been on holiday.

    This great photo (photographer unknown) could well be seen as a tribute or legacy to his volunteer efforts.

    Well known to many - including those who have never been on it - the Red Bridge is a truly vital piece of the whole North Edinburgh Path Network experience.

    The previous bridge was removed when the road by the awful Crewe Toll roundabout was widened and the West Granton Access road created (removing the Spokes and Sustrans produced Pilton Path).

    The bridge now marks the boundaries between Forth and Inverleith wards and is need of a repaint. Nearby vegetation needs trimming to restore sightlines.

    Sandy would approve.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  2. chdot
    Admin

    So sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with his family and loved ones. He was such a passionate campaigner. I enjoyed our conversations - he always challenged me to do more.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/daisynmurphy/status/1559179981057564672

    Posted 1 year ago #
  3. DdF
    Member

    When the old bridge was removed for road widening, the Council planned an at-grade cycle crossing, on the grounds of the cost of a new bridge. There was a major Spokes campaign, in which Sandy played a large part, fortunately succeessful, bringing the red bridge and a continued car-free route between Roseburn and Leith.

    The photo is by Tim Smith, former Spokes maps cartographer

    Posted 1 year ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    I knew Sandy from his work in helping charities with their accounts, I didn't even know he was involved in cycle campaigning

    https://mobile.twitter.com/blueapex/status/1559175710304092162

    Posted 1 year ago #
  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    That is very sad. At almost every cycle event in Edinburgh that I went to, he was there. Usually already there.

    For me, one of his enduring legacies is not that he was 'merely' instrumental in getting the bridge installed, but that it came to be the Red Bridge, rather than the red bridge.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  6. chdot
    Admin

    I'm so very, very sorry to hear this news :-( I spent a lot of time in various meetings/discussions with Sandy, during both my tenures as Transport Convener & then Council Leader: I always found him an absolute pleasure to work with. My thoughts are with Sandy's family & friends.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/andrewdburns/status/1559195462414073856

    Posted 1 year ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    Devastated to have just learned of the death of Sandy Scotland, cricket umpire, wit, accountant and very, very good friend over many years.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/sportybilly/status/1559171713308524545

    Posted 1 year ago #
  8. chdot
    Admin

    Gr8 pic! Sad to hear of Sandy's death, his legacy lives on in red bridge- a vital part of this community, linking us with shops, Ainslie Pk, Leith and the city. Also providing a backdrop for hundreds of birthday tributes over 15 yrs I've lived here! Inc @clnicolson 16th BDay 2013

    https://mobile.twitter.com/vicnicsnp/status/1559198623564439552

    Posted 1 year ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    Sad news. He was a lovely guy and a great champion for SPOKES. He was always cheerful and positive (whilst determined as well) when I met him and will certainly be missed. Thoughts with his family.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/da_anderson/status/1559215586055520256

    Posted 1 year ago #
  10. LaidBack
    Member

    A well kent name and sorry to hear. He'll be missed very much.

    Posted 1 year ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of one of our Honorary Life Members, Sandy Scotland (left).

    Many of us will have fond memories of Sandy throughout his many years of involvement and service to cricket throughout Scotland

    1/2

    https://mobile.twitter.com/csmoa_/status/1559230763446452227

    Thread

    We would request that umpires should wherever possible wear a white jacket/shirt with a black armband in Sandy's honour for this Saturday's fixtures (including those officiating Premier League fixtures or where colours would normally be worn).

    Posted 1 year ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

    Very sad to hear this. Sandy was a key part of Spokes for so many years: I was awestruck by his dedication to finding + reviewing planning applications regarding sustainable travel, esp back when one had to visit council offices for plans! Will be much missed, condolences to f+f.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/davecykl/status/1559649282562596867

    Posted 1 year ago #
  13. Tulyar
    Member

    Shocked to hear this

    Sandy was a real help with my accounts over the years, and always reminding me to get papers sorted for him to run-through

    I really will miss him

    Any details on funeral/tributes?

    Posted 1 year ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    When I was first resident in Edinburgh, I phoned the Spokes number after receiving a note from the fire brigade that bikes had to be removed from common stairs as they presented a fire hazard. Sandy was very helpful in helping fight this eventually leading to on street bikepods

    https://mobile.twitter.com/mad_symondsmark/status/1560736728733736960

    Posted 1 year ago #
  15. chdot
    Admin

    It was always great to meet him at cycling events and opera performances. Always impressed how he worked constructively with council officers and politicians.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/mad_symondsmark/status/1560737137867325440

    Posted 1 year ago #
  16. chdot
    Admin

  17. chdot
    Admin

  18. chdot
    Admin

    Sorry to hear of Sandy’s passing. I was reflecting how much time he gave to making cycling easier in Edinburgh & Scotland, and that he had a good sense of humour. A ready laugh at times when matters seemed stacked against us, particularly at Cycling Scotland board meetings.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/John_Lauder/status/1561253127604637696

    Posted 1 year ago #
  19. chdot
    Admin

    A fitting tribute to Sandy. Could I suggest @CllrScottArthur @cllrcammyday we name the red bridge over Ferry Road after Sandy?

    https://mobile.twitter.com/lahinds/status/1560964571044741121

    Posted 1 year ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    1st met him in 1992/3 at my 1st Scottish Office Roads Directorate Cycle Liaison Group! Best memory was a few pints in nottingham at the velo city conference and buddying him as we toured the city on our raleigh pioneers. A true gent.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/DavesBikeShed/status/1561996633771999232

    Posted 1 year ago #
  21. Tulyar
    Member

    Having let John Grimshaw know of this I got this back, can someone make sure that he gets informed (SMS) of any relevant details, to circulate with the old Sustrans people, many of whom have joined John on an old style Sustrans operation that runs at least 1 volunteer project per year on a shoestring budget

    Could you please send me some contact details, and have me included in any circulation list regarding Sandy so that I can pass the word around at this end. I was speaking with David Gray earlier and he remembers lively discussions with sandy.
    Thanks
    John
    Greenways and Cycleroutes Limited
    18 Park Row
    Bristol BS1 5LJ
    M 0779 2714708
    http://www.greenwaysandcycleroutes.org

    David Gray - Manager for NE - was based Stanley CD mid way Consett-Chester-le-Street, also farmed (sheep) & played rugby

    Noting this £1.5m Ian Findlay legacy fund that Paths For All has created following the sudden and sad death of their former COO, I wonder if Sandy's legacy might also generate some lasting support for the causes he supported?

    https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/news

    Posted 1 year ago #
  22. Tulyar
    Member

    Just in from John in Bristol
    Sandy battling up the side of the glacial circe (cirque?) through the woods by Loch Venachar c.1987. This deposit of alluvial material provided the means to construct the path, without having the huge logistical and environmentally harmful convoys of trucks coming down the 7 mile single track cul de sac from Eas Gobhainn - just outside Callander - he's already cycled at least 9 miles, and hiked/pushed the bike around 1Km
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/h52/52317750720
    A much younger Tulyar is urging Sandy onwards - "Once we're at the top of the dam we've nearly reached the summit of the Dukes Pass - then its downhill all the way to Aberfoyle"

    Plus an Edinburgh review meeting on Pilton Path (2016?)- where the red bridge was discussed?
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/h52/52317307236
    L-R John G, Tony Grant, Dave de Feu, Euan Jeffrey, Sandy Scotland

    And the grand 'opening' (you'll need to recognise people by the back of their heads!)
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/h52/52317307126

    Posted 1 year ago #

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