A former Scottish local press reporter has died at his home.

Before his retirement, Gifford Lees worked for the Hawick News, Glasgow daily The Herald and Scottish Daily Mail.

The 77-year-old was found dead by a friend at his home in the village of Denholm, near Hawick.

Former colleague Andrew Keddie, now with the Southern Reporter, told the Hawick News: “Giff was a fiercely intelligent man, a real character from the old school of journalism.

“He was always dapper and a very striking man with his trademark silver grey hair, and he loved Hawick and the Borders.”

Hawick News sports reporter John Slorance, whom Giff got encouraged into the role, added: “Giff was a first class journalist.

“He could find a story and write a story, and his words were always done with flair and style.

“He was a colourful, cavalier character who knew Hawick and its people well, and Hawick and its people knew Giff.”

Comments

Ninian Reid (25/08/2009 16:55:54)
The term “gentlemen of the press” is much over-used. In the case of Giff Lees, however, it perfectly summed up his dapper – and often erudite – appearance at countless news events in the Scottish Borders over the years.Giff will be sorely missed by fellow reporters, photographers and broadcasters throughout the region, and far beyond.