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The Scottish journalism community is mourning the loss of one of its most popular figures with the death from cancer of Calum Macdonald at the age of 31.
Calum, left, worked for all three major Glasgow daily titles – the Evening Times, the Daily Record and finally The Herald – during a ten-year newspaper career.
He was diagnosed with cancer two months ago and went downhill rapidly until his death on Tuesday.
He had married his long-term partner in a civil partnership ceremony the week before his death.
Calum left journalism last year to go back to university in order to retrain as a lawyer, but is fondly remembered by colleagues on his former papers.
Allan Lane, assistant news editor of The Herald, described him yesterday as a “great reporter and a fine fellow who had everything ahead of him.”
Last November, Calum had written a piece for The Herald about having traced his ancestry back to the island of North Uist in the Hebrides.
“One of the things he wanted to do was to go back to North Uist for one last visit but he never made it. Now his ashes are going to be scattered there,” said Allan.
A graduate of Aberdeen University, Calum had spent four years at The Herald since joining the paper from the Daily Record.
A former colleague at the Record said he “would be sadly missed by his former colleagues and his many friends in journalism.”
Comments
Jean Pedder (09/10/2008 10:38:49)
I worked with Callum in his Stirling Observer days, A nicer person you could not wish to meet, a lovely character. My thoughts are with his partner and family.
Emily Green (09/10/2008 12:06:19)
I attended Keil School and Aberdeen University with Calum. I am sure the experience of both would have been less colourful, amusing and memorable if he had not been there. My thoughts are with all of his family. Emily
John Maclean (09/10/2008 13:25:25)
So sad to hear about this. Calum was such a pleasant colleague; always ready with a smile and a greeting. And very conscientious, too. My thoughts and prayers are with his partner, family and friends.
Vince Taggart (12/10/2008 02:11:35)
Well said, Jean.
You and I appreciated how good he was in Stirling as a journalist and a human being. I saw him a couple of months ago and he was very enthusiastic about his law stuff. He was a fantastic guy who I feel privileged to have known. The world is a worse place for his passing.
Calum, so many friends will miss you but so many readers too if you’d stayed a journalist, and so many people who you could have helped as a lawyer will as well.
Anyway, you will never be forgotten.
God rest and love
Vince
Laura Sheils (14/10/2008 10:41:09)
Calums funeral will be held on Saturday 18th at 9am in Glasgow University Chapel. Calum died at the age of 32 after a 5 week battle with cancer faced with dignity and courage at all times. We managed to have many a laugh at his bedside in hospital despite the horrible circumstances of his illness. My mum, dad, sister and partner Lloyd will treasure those last weeks with him forever. Love you always Calum xx
Michael Christie (14/10/2008 23:54:19)
We worked together as reporters at the Daily Record and he was a star. Occasionally we got to work on a story on the streets together and it was always great working with him. Sorely missed when he left the paper, we’re devastated he’s gone forever.
He was a brilliant journalist and a wonderful man. My thoughts go out to Lloyd and to his family.
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