Tributes to journalist, aged 72

JOURNALIST Brian Forsyth, whose working life was spent at the heart of the Arbroath community, has died aged 72.

He joined the Arbroath Herald newspaper as a reporter, worked his way up to become chief reporter and retired as associate editor in 2014.

Even after his retiral, Brian continued to play a big part in community life.

He acquired a collection of negatives taken by former Herald photographer Ian Wight, which document decades of Arbroath’s social, civic and sporting life.

Brian passed many of the negatives to Angus Archives, and scanned and restored many more.

His wife Linda said the remaining negatives will go to Angus Archives.

Brian was born in Arbroath to John Forsyth and his wife Eva. He began his schooling at Hayshead and in 1956 the family moved to Caithness.

Returning to Arbroath in 1966, Brian completed his education at Arbroath High School.

In 1967, he joined the staff of the Arbroath Herald under editor George Shepherd.

His colleagues included Arthur Binnie – the reporter who landed the scoop that the Stone of Destiny had been left at Arbroath Abbey in 1951 – as well as Nor Riddle and photographer Ian Wight.

He met his future wife, Linda, at the Marine Ballroom and the couple married in 1971.

They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year.

Outside work, Brian had been secretary of Arbroath SNP branch and participated in Arbroath Abbey Pageant.

His funeral will take place at Parkgrove Crematorium, Friockheim, on Friday at 12.30pm.

Brian Forsyth.