The Academical THE MAGAZINE FOR ACADEMICALS ACROSS THE GLOBE | 2020 In this edition: DR ALISTAIR MCCONNELL TAKES US ON HIS JOURNEY FROM IRON MAN TO SPACEMAN AND BEYOND… PROFESSOR MICHAEL COOK Also… EXPLAINS WHY HE IS IN SEARCH PROFESSOR FIONA DENISON OF TRUTH, NOT GLORY AND DR EMILY MCCALL SMITH COMPARE MEDICAL NOTES IN DAVID PROSSER TAKE 2 ACADEMICALS AND NAOMI HOWARD TALK ART AND INSPIRATION NIALL CAMPBELL REVEALS WHY THE IN DRAWING COMPARISONS BIRDING MUST GO ON! New regular features include: MICHAEL LAIRD OUR LITERARY LEGACY & SHARES HIS OUTDOOR NEWS FROM THE ARCHIVE ADVENTURES IN GOING SOLO EDITOR’S WELCOME Dear Accies ONE UNIQUE LOCATION MANY MEMORABLE EVENTS WEDDINGS l CONFERENCES l PERFORMANCES l CELEBRATIONS DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO ALL ACCIES [email protected] WWW.EDINBURGHACADEMY.ORG.UK/VENUE-HIRE EA’S CAREERS GET INVOLVED! Every year, as Edinburgh Academy pupils prepare for life beyond the Academy, they benefit greatly from the professional knowledge and expertise of parents, Academicals and friends of the School. From presentations about career paths or particular fields of work to taking part in our mock interview process each October or offering work experience and shadowing opportunities, there are a number of ways that we invite involvement. Can you help to support and inspire our pupils to make informed decisions about their futures? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact [email protected] EDITOR’S WELCOME Dear Accies elcome to the latest edition Summer Term 2019 saw Mike Gregson of The Academical, in which we (EA 1960 –70) retire as Chair of the Court of follow the theme of pathways. Directors. We’d like to take this opportunity This reflects our fascination to thank him for his support and we look with the journeys that Academicals forward to welcoming him back to Accie make after leaving the EA and, as we events in the future – he’s known to be an approach our 200th year, the growth EAC Pub Quiz regular! We’re delighted to and development of the Academy and welcome Morag McNeill – former parent, Academical Club over two centuries. current Court Director and Chair of the EA Finance and General Purposes Committee – As this 2020 edition is the first of five as our new Chair. leading up to our bicentenary in 2024, we’re delighted that our Honorary Archivist, As always, my personal thanks go to the Andrew McMillan, will address his regular Accie community with special appreciation News from the Archive contribution as a extended to Honorary Archivist, Andrew series of five articles charting key milestones McMillan (EA 1960–70), Tony Cook (EA in the history of the Club and the School. 2018/19 has certainly seen a busy 1951–61; EA Staff 1975–2003), Rob Cowie You’ll find his first instalment, The Academical schedule of events, both our regular (EA Staff 1963–2012), Alan Fyfe (EA 1957–69; Club and its influence on the school, on pages and growing fixtures of reunions and EA Staff 2006–12) and Sandy Burnett (EA 26 to 27. In a similar vein, Alan Fyfe and Tony relaxed get-togethers, and exciting new 1959–69) as well as current and former Cook have agreed to explore the influence ventures such as our first Accies’ Business staff, our brilliant pupils and members of and output of Academical authors over the Networking Breakfast in London. This was the EAC Council. This year, I’d particularly last 200 years, again in five instalments, and so successful that we plan to mirror the like to thank President Charles Robertson Our Literary Legacy Part 1: The earliest decades event in Edinburgh and introduce it as a (EA 1972–85), Secretary and Treasurer, Colin is on pages 18 to 19. We’ve enjoyed talking regular feature of the Accie calendar. As Innes (EA 1972–86) and Vice President, to a host of Accies, old and new, about alumni activities increase, we’ve seen record Brian Hay Smith (EA 1970–84), all of whom their journeys from Henderson Row and numbers of Accies come back to School stepped down as office bearers in 2019. I hope you’ll enjoy reading – and be inspired and engage with the School community. They have devoted many years to the EAC by – their interviews and articles on pages It’s wonderful to see current and former and have provided the enthusiasm, support, 12 to 25. pupils connect with current and former expertise and many hours to make the Accie staff – there is so much everyone can offer community such an exciting and vibrant You’ll find a review of the year 2018/19 from each other. one. It’s been an absolute joy to work with Senior School, Junior School and Court of them and their enormous contribution, Director perspectives and, this year, Giles Looking forward, we’ve more networking humour and sense of fun will be sorely Dove, our new Director of Development events scheduled across the UK with a missed! Finally, I am very grateful to those and Alumni Relations, provides an update revamped EAC London Accies’ Dinner, our who have taken the time to contribute to, or on the progress of TO24. Giles joins the inaugural Founders’ Day and Benefactors’ be featured in, The Academical this year. Academy from Glenalmond College, where Day, and new Enrichment Lunches where Floreat Academia! he was Chaplain and Head of Divinity for Accies come back and host lunches to talk 12 years. He brings a wealth of experience with current pupils about their chosen in furthering alumni relations with the career paths. In addition, we’re planning an University of St Andrews and Stirling All Staff Reunion and more EAC lectures, University as well as The National Library this time featuring the MacLean brothers’ of Scotland. epic row across the Atlantic. For a full listing Alison Wardrop (EA Staff 2016–present) of upcoming events, please see page 41. Alumni Relations Officer What would you like to see CONTACT US FOLLOW US featured in The [email protected] @AcademicalClub Academical? STAY IN TOUCH 0131 624 4958 /theacademicalclub CHANGED ADDRESS RECENTLY? Sponsored & published by the Edinburgh Academy 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh EH3 5BL Please let us know if your address has changed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written consent Contact the Development & Alumni Relations Office of the publishers. The views expressed in its features are those of the contributors on +44 (0)131 624 4958 or at [email protected] and do not necessarily represent those of the Edinburgh Academy. The Edinburgh Academy is a charitable body registered in Scotland, number SC016999. THE ACADEMICAL / 28 1 CONTENTS SCHOOL REPORTS 04 Edinburgh Academical Club Report 05 EAC Council 2018/19 06 Senior School Report 08 Nursery and Junior School Report 09 Court of Directors Report 10 Development Office Report 06 FEATURES & ARTICLES 12 From Iron Man To Spaceman And Beyond... 08 An interview with Dr Alistair McConnell (EA 1993–2006) 16 In Pursuit Of Truth, Not Glory An interview with Prof Michael Cook (EA 1952–54) 18 Our Literary Legacy Academical Authors Part 1: The earliest decades 20 Drawing Comparisons David Prosser (EA 1975–88; EA Staff 2004– KEEP UP TO present) and Naomi Howarth (EA 2004–06) DATE WITH LIFE AT THE ACADEMY. 22 Take Two Academicals Prof Fiona Denison (EA 1987–88) and 25 Dr Emily McCall Smith (EA 2002–04) 24 The Birding Must Go On Niall Campbell (EA 1946–59) charts the Academy’s contribution to ornithology 25 Going Solo Adventures in the great outdoors with Michael Laird (EA 1974–87) 26 News From The Archive The journey from 1824 to 2024 Part 1: The Academical Club and its influence on the School 2 WWW.EDINBURGHACADEMY.ORG.UK DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? EMAIL US TODAY! 12 ACADEMICAL UPDATES 28 Global Academicals 26 30 Sports Clubs 2018/19 34 Raeburn Place Foundation 34 36 Events & Reunions 40 Stay Connected Diary dates for 2020 46 EMAIL US WITH YOUR NEWS. 36 ACADEMICAL NEWS 42 Academical Staff Welcome 43 Academical Staff Valete 46 Academical Announcements A ROUND UP 53 School Obituaries OF EVENTS, REUNIONS, SPORTS AND MORE… THE ACADEMICAL / 28 3 Edinburgh Academical Club Report The past year has been a busy one for the Club and further progress has been made in meeting our objectives. n September 2018, the inaugural to thank Honorary Archivist, Andrew Accies’ Ready for the World lecture McMillan (EA 1960–70), for the tireless was delivered by Craig Mathieson work and effort he puts in to the incredibly of the Polar Academy (Inspiration through popular archive displays and slide shows for Exploration) and it is hoped this popular event these. I would also like to thank the pupils will become an annual fixture in the Club who give up their time to show Accies around diary. In November, the EAC held a relaxed on their tours of the School – they’re a firm drinks reception for local Accies to get- favourite of former pupils, some of whom are together and socialise, and in December we returning for the first time since they left welcomed the Club’s newest Accies, leavers the Academy. from 2018, for a Christmas get-together in a local Stockbridge watering hole. For those who live in Edinburgh, and in particular Stockbridge, it’s impossible to March 2019 saw the EAC’s first Business miss the developments happening at Networking Breakfast in London followed Raeburn Place. It is so pleasing to see the by relaxed drinks. We were delighted to Raeburn Place Trustees’ vision for sport welcome EA staff members Debbie Carr, finally taking shape.