Former Oban Times editor celebrates 90th birthday
Former Oban Times editor Iain Nicolson has celebrated his 90th birthday.
Despite lockdown the veteran newsman and his wife Maimie spent the day on Friday happy at home in Kerrera Terrace, Dunollie, toasting the occasion with champagne.
Daughter Fiona Donn delivered a buffet lunch to the shielding couple and 23-year-old grandson Liam Scott Donn surprised them by turning up at their door to play an accordion tune from a safe social distance.
Railway key worker son Michael Nicolson also called by to wish his dad many happy returns and there was plenty of phone calls from other family, including 21-year-old grandson Innes Donn who has just finished his final year studying French at Edinburgh’s HeriotWatt University.
‘We’ve had a wonderful day, the family has spoiled us with treats and surprises and we’ve had enough champagne to have a party!’ said Maimie. Mr Nicolson left school at 15 to join The Oban Times as a trainee reporter working his way through the ranks to editorship with a circulation of 26,000.
Before retiring at 78, he led the advertising department and wrote a regular column about events coming up in the town. Another gift he received was a video from former colleague Erik Spence playing a jazz tune.
Whenever Mr Nicolson went to London on newspaper business, he was a regular at the Ronnie Scott Jazz Club, so the musical gift brought back many fond memories, said Mrs Nicolson.