Jim’s Saltire

Today revolved around the funeral of a friend and former colleague: Jim Stephen. We were similar in build (well he was slimmer than me); we each turned grey haired around the same time and we were each born in the same year. We found ourselves working in similar policy areas for a while; first in agriculture then for longer in children’s issues. We were sometimes referred to as “the twins”.

He was great company. Entertaining and funny, passionate and committed about making lives better especially for the vulnerable in Scotland, direct and persuasive with facts at his fingertips. But a gentleman and always one of the “good guys”.

The turnout at his funeral was a mark of the respect people had for him. He died very suddenly just a few days after having one of the lunches with friends that he enjoyed, particularly since he retired.

Retirement followed by Covid meant I had seen little of him recently and that is a deep regret. All were saying how he was taken far too soon. It was only this evening when thinking about my father that I discovered that Jim lived just 21 days more than my father did. Too young.

As I headed home via Princes Street I saw these vapour trails over not just the Scott Monument and the Balmoral hotel but also just the the right over St Andrew’s House where Jim and I worked at times over the years. Jim was a proud Scot and Scotland can be proud of him.

The Saltire in the sky is fitting.