Martin Currie

Activist, supporter of the arts, and well-known Edinburgh character. An appreciation

Born: January 12, 1943;

Died: January 27, 2018

MARTIN CURRIE, who has died aged 75, was a larger than life character known throughout his native Edinburgh for his flamboyance, for his remarkable suits and hats and for his striking appearance. He was a combination of Orson Welles and the quintessential Santa Claus and latterly bore more than a strong resemblance to the composer Saint Saens. He would have been proud of that.

Wherever he went, people wanted to engage with him, to be photographed with him and to know more about him. He loved the attention but also loved the opportunity it created to meet new people and to learn new things. He was never happier than when telling a story and his wide social engagement was the lifeblood for such tales.

Passionate about the arts and education, he was a long-standing supporter of the Edinburgh Festival, Fringe and Traverse Theatre. He loved the Book Festival and was a devotee of the Jazz Festival and a friend of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Most importantly, he held a lifetime belief the arts were for everyone. He encouraged those around him to take the opportunity to try new cultural experiences, often paying for the tickets himself. This kindness and generosity was a big part of his personality, reflected in his volunteering with charities and membership of the Children’s Panel.

He was a bit of a performer himself, if understatement is allowed. He was renowned for his party piece; a rendition of the Wee Gas Mask accompanied by a balletic dance, often executed with cut-down wellies and a kilt. His most memorable performance was at a large wedding reception of a close friend when he brought the house down but left the elderly relatives stunned, if not secretly delighted, as the flip of his kilt revealed he was truly a Scotsman.

The son of a “brickie”, Martin also took to the trade where he quickly learnt the importance of trade union organisation. He joined the Young Communist League and began a lifetime drive for a better society. In his youth he was known to draw crowds at the Mound in Edinburgh, where he raised important issues of the day and entertained with his sharp wit and humour. Politics was always an important part of Martin’s life. He was a euro-communist, a supporter of the democratic left and latterly joined the Greens. He was a humanist and an activist.

He often said education was the key to change and so he sought to improve his own. He became a mature student, first at Newbattle Abbey College and then at Stirling University. He was active in student politics and was the chairman of the National Union of Students Scotland from 1978 to 1979. In the years that followed he led a full and active life, working in support of ex-offenders and in promoting trade unionism.

Like all of us, Martin was not perfect. He sometimes drank too much, could be outrageous, thrawn and a bit of a rogue. He was also funny, generous, loyal and loved life. As a man, as a character and as a life force he will be sorely missed. For those who were lucky enough to know the man beneath the hat, to have been a friend or to have been in his lively and engaging company.

Sadly, we won’t see his like again.