Robin Morris

ROBIN Morris who has died aged 68 was a well known Scottish athlete, sports historian and reporter, golf lover and Edinburgh community activist.

His best track event was the steeplechase at which he was runner-up three times in the East District Championships in the 70s. Over the hills, he won the inaugural Scottish Hill Running Championship in 1983. Although in many ways sport defined his life, he was involved in a wide range of other activities, including his local community council, the church, the English Speaking Union, the Eric Liddell Centre, and The Friends of The Meadows group.

He was a member of the selection panel for the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame and held administrative positions with Scottish Hill Runners and UK Athletics Mountain Running. At the core of his contribution to all these activities was wholeheartedness, infectious enthusiasm and genuine interest in others.

Early rugby injuries pointed him away from that sport in the direction of the running track. He competed with distinction for Octavians Athletic Club.

When Octavians disbanded, he joined Edinburgh Athletic Club whom he represented for many years in national league fixtures.

Over time, hill running became his principal interest as one of the first members of Carnethy Hill Running Club. In all he competed in their race in the Pentland Hills 22 times, the last occasion as recently as 2015. Over ten consecutive years between the mid 70s and 80s, he finished in the top ten each time in large fields of runners, with two third places his best finishes.

Elsewhere he won the North Berwick Law race seven times and also enjoyed wins at Newtonmore’s Creag Dubh, at Dollar and elsewhere. His favourite was the scenic Glamaig race in Skye up and down the 2,500 feet eponymous mountain near Sligachan, which he with others was instrumental in establishing in 1988.

Another sporting passion was golf which he played enthusiastically at the Royal Burgess and Dunbar courses in particular. He enjoyed hickory clubs golf, when he took to the links in plus fours and cap.

Born to Austin and Molly, he was a twin of David, and younger brother of Jennifer and John, who died in 2016. He attended George Watson’s College. His father was a partner in Brodies, solicitors, but died when Robin was nine.

After his siblings left home, Robin and his mother moved to a flat overlooking the Meadows where its short hole golf course encouraged him to play. After schooldays he went into banking, initially for the British Linen Bank in Leith till they were taken over by the Bank of Scotland where he worked in head office. Later he joined Credit Lyonnais.

In 1979 he married Rosalind Boyes whom he had met socially in Edinburgh and they enjoyed 38 years of happy marriage during which they had two daughters.

Robin was a founder member of the Eric Liddell Centre and appointed a trustee in 2012. He joined held various roles on Merchiston Community Council and following in the footsteps of his parents – founding members of the English Speaking Union in Edinburgh – Robin became a national committee member and branch treasurer.

He is survived by his Rosalind, and their daughters Wendy and Suzanne.