David Binnie was an extremely well-known and popular Herioter at Goldenacre, and indeed at all the main rugby pitches and clubhouses across Scotland. He was also a keen tourist, maintaining Heriot’s deep relationship with the Lansdowne club in Dublin.

His impact on the rugby world began at George Heriot’s School at the age of 12, his distinctive blonde hair revealing his presence all over the pitch, until, season by season, he began to make the centre-three-quarter position his own.

He tackled hard and ran straight, attributes that would see him through life as well as into the School 1^st XV. David was a key player in that particularly successful side, which also won a spectacular series of Sevens tournaments, including the Heriot’s Tercentenary Cup.

On leaving school, David continued his effective centre partnership with Peter Wight, the pair quickly making their way into Heriot’s FP 1^st XV. They were joined by future Scottish international full back, Colin Blaikie, and George “Pancho” Paterson. These four youngsters would become lifelong though far-flung friends, quite often traversing oceans to keep in touch with each other.

Rugby, however, tested David’s resilience. Two significant leg breaks disrupted his playing career, including one just before he was due to represent Edinburgh for the first time. Yet each time, he returned with the same determination that defined him.

His pace slowing slightly after many seasons of fine rugby performances in the centre, he moved to wing forward, playing for the junior Heriot’s teams, passing on his expertise to younger players, and he brought his playing career to a close playing in Heriot’s celebrated Old Crock’s XV.

David was a chartered accountant at Ethicon Ltd, where he became Finance Director under Lindsay Stewart, a fervent Heriot’s rugby supporter and (with David’s gentle hints) a very generous Club benefactor.

Socially, in his day, David was a force to be reckoned with – with Chris, his very dear, almost look-alike younger brother (a Heriot’s centre, too), and with teammates, opponents and numerous other friends.

It was at home, with his beloved wife Jeanette, daughters Jacquelyn and Kathryn (once accomplished hockey players at Goldenacre), and son Andrew (once an accomplished prop forward at, yes, Goldenacre), and in the company of his grandchildren – Izzy, Angus, Thomas, Lewis, Edith and Casper – that David was most relaxed.

David Binnie will be sadly missed in many, many places. Not least Goldenacre.