Dundee SNP activist Calum Cashley, 54

Until last week you could have called Calum Cashley an unsung hero of the Scottish independence movement.

But when news of his untimely death broke, it became clear that the talent and intellect of a man who joined the SNP when he was just 12 years old were no secret at all.

Born in Charleston, Dundee, on June 14 1967, Mr Cashley was one of six boys and two girls for Jack and Jean Cashley.

It was his father’s staunch nationalist beliefs that would set Mr Cashley up for a future in politics.

Moving to Dalkeith Road around the age of four, Mr Cashley attended St Clement’s Primary before progressing to St Saviour’s RC High School.

The school’s 800m champ and a member of Hawkhill Harriers, it wasn’t unknown for him to disappear off to compete in summer Highland games.

What stood him apart from his peers, however, was his thirst for knowledge at a young age.

In 1979, as Margaret Thatcher became prime minister, a 12-year-old Calum would become a member of the Scottish National Party.

By early teenage years, Mr Cashley had already become a lover of the ancient classics, studying Greek and Roman history; analysing the political context and becoming a voracious reader.

He intended to study English at Dundee University but it didn’t hold his interest.

Instead, after a Victoria Wine management position and a spell driving taxis in Dundee, he threw his own hat in the ring standing as a prospective candidate in local and parliamentary elections.

Mr Cashley’s younger brother, Dave, said: “We had been campaigning together – being chased by dogs around Dundee – as kids for years but he’s probably best known for having stood as SNP candidate for Dundee West in the first Holyrood election in 1999.”

Leaving behind his much loved involvement in Dundee Rep, taking part in such productions as Witch’s Blood to the music of Michael Marra, he went to Edinburgh where he spent the rest of his life and career.

In recent years, Mr Cashley worked as senior parliamentary researcher and office manager for Deidre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith.

A passion for Scottish politics wouldn’t just see

Mr Cashley fulfilled in his job.

In 2011, while they were both working behind the scenes on the referendum, Mr Cashley met love of his life, Laura McGravie.

In 2014, they became a couple and, in 2018, tied the knot.

Dave added: “They had this wonderful life doing jobs they loved, living in a place they loved and when baby Rosa came along 10 months ago, it was the icing on the cake.”

Mr Cashley was the young man who challenged Winnie Ewing for the SNP leadership “because any SNP member could”; he was a lover of Scots’ language and song, a passionate political commentator, brother, husband, uncle and daddy.

His funeral will take place at 1pm on Friday at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh.

DEVOTED: Calum Cashley and wife Laura.