All at Heriot’s Rugby Club are sad to report the passing, after a long and challenging battle against pancreatic cancer, of David, one of the famous 3 Bears of Goldenacre.

David was middle brother of Iain and Kenny, gracing the loose head prop position for the first XV for many years in the 70s, 80s and 90s along with his two brothers. 

He made his Edinburgh district debut on their 1979 tour of France and went on to play six times for Scotland B, emerging in the victorious side on five occasions, including twice away against France.  David toured Japan in 1989 and North America in 1991.

David played in both the Test matches against USA and Canada on the pre-Rugby World Cup tour in 1991 – these were subsequently included in the SRU’s retrospective caps project.  He won a first full cap in the 1991 Rugby World Cup opener when he was introduced as a replacement for David Sole in the 47-9 win against Japan.

One rugby highlight for David, Kenny and Iain was when they lined up alongside each other to form the Barbarians front-row in a 34-22 victory against East Midlands at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton in 1989.

David was a well-known face in Edinburgh and wider Scottish business circles, working in Sales & Marketing for over 35 years for various companies including Fishers, Adam & Co and most recently Lindsays Solicitors, as a Business Development Manager. He sat on the board of five companies and up until recently was Chair of Edinburgh Leisure.

Heriot’s Ruby Club extends its’ sincere condolences to David’s family, in particular his wife Julia, son Rory, daughter Shonagh, grandson Freddie, Rory’s wife, Jas, and Shonagh’s husband Kalen, brothers Iain, Kenny and sister Susan.

Funeral details to follow.