Death of Forfar dog trainer

Tributes have been paid to a man who spent 25 years working with Guide Dogs in Forfar.

Syd Duncan died aged 83 last week after suffering from a degenerative lung disease.

Mr Duncan, from Inverarity, trained hundreds of dog handlers across the UK.

His wife Fiona remembered the man who had a “natural gift” working with animals and humans.

She said: “I couldn’t be certain but he must have trained hundreds of guide dogs throughout his career.

“He had a terrific work ethic, whether it was guide dogs or obedience dogs.”

Mr Duncan grew up in Dundee and was a joiner in Birkhill before national service.

He worked as an occupational therapist at Strathmartine Hospital, and was the first Scotsman to win an obedience competition at Crufts in 1966, with his dog Flak.

Former colleague Wendy Rankin said the organisation was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Duncan’s death.

“Syd worked as a guide dog mobility instructor in Forfar for 25 years until his retirement in 1993, and was a highly-respected and influential member of the Guide Dogs Scotland family,” she added.

“He made an invaluable contribution to Guide Dogs and to people with sight loss.

“He will be sorely missed not just by friends and family, but all in Guide Dogs who knew him.”