I have known Sandy since 1957 when we started in the same class at Musselburgh Grammar School. In our late teens and early twenties we were part of a group of lads, some of whom were in the Joint Youth Group, who would meet on a Sunday evening in Luca’s and make a coffee last as long as possible. Strangely, that wasn’t the case on a Saturday night with our beer.
 
I left Scotland for Surrey in 1971 before moving to Dublin in 1987, and so lost regular contact with Sandy. However, in 2000 I was looking for a place to live while I attended New College. You can imagine my surprise when on arriving at The Fairways to view an apartment, who should come out the main door, but Sandy. Needless to say I bought the apartment and so we became neighbours. Both Sandy and Nicky made Lily, my late wife, and me very welcome. The close friendship continued after we came back to Ireland in 2004 and we enjoyed meeting up whenever we were back in Musselburgh. After Lily passed away, getting together with Sandy and Nicky was always a tonic, as we shared stories, put the world to right and had a good laugh. Sandy was a lovely man, with a selfless sense of community, a good friend and great company. I will miss him. 
 
John Gibson