George Brodlie

A dedicated former financial editor who still reads his old paper every day has celebrated his 100th birthday.

George Brodlie wrote for Scottish daily The Scotsman for more than 40 years and still speaks fondly of his time at the paper, where he worked up through the ranks from general news reporter to financial editor.

The great-grandfather-of-one began his career in 1936 after graduating from Edinburgh University the previous year with an honours degree in English.

He worked for several months at local papers the Linlithgowshire Gazette and the Kincardineshire Observer, before securing a job as a reporter for the Aberdeen Press and Journal.

He left to join the RAF during the war, where he served until 1945 – the year he tied the knot to wife Anna, who passed away in 1997. He finally returned to the industry after three years working at his family’s ropeworks business.

Then, in 1952, he got a job at The Scotsman and moved to Edinburgh, where he still lives today.

His son Ken, 65, said his father still reads The Scotsman every day and often speaks fondly of his time there.

“He worked there really for the rest of his career, initially as a reporter, then a sub-editor, before moving into financial reporting,” he said.

“He retired in 1978, at the age of 65, but even then he continued writing a weekly column for them for 20 years or more.

“He was very dedicated to his job and still talks about it all the time. One of the stories he tells is how when he was out on a job, he would have to hunt for a phone box to call the office. When I visit him with my mobile he always comments on how different his job would be now.”

On one occasion, Ken added, George and Anna were offered a holiday to Bermuda – a break which turned into a working holiday when the country’s governor was assassinated.

“He had always dreamed of being a foreign correspondent – and he got his wish for a few days as he had to be the reporter on the scene,” said Ken.

The landmark birthday was celebrated with three parties held in George’s honour, including one with friends from the Edinburgh Rotary Club, of which he is an honorary member. He also received a telegram from the Queen.

Former financial editor for The Scotsman, George Brodlie, celebrates his 100th birthday