I had the pleasure of meeting with Jim McDonald (1970) and his wife Catriona. 

Jim is the son of the Former Headmaster Allan McDonald, who many of you will remember from your time as a Heriot's pupil. As we shared a coffee, I had the privilege of both hearing Jim's memories of the school, and great recollections of many of the teachers of the era, but also an insight into his father’s time. 

It was wonderful to hear how Jim and Catriona met at one of the many joint events between Heriot's and Gillespie’s back when the school was not co-ed. 

After coffee we took a walk up the Northwest turret to the old English class of 'Kipper' Heron, who Jim recalled fondly. To Jim's delight much of the room was still as it was 50 years ago. 

Jim has recently published a moving book of poetry 'Crying for Kharkiv’, as a creative and important response to the war in the Ukraine.

Available to purchase through reliable booksellers anbd online.