Robert Curran, former Provost of Alva and prominent Nationalist, born
September 14, 1923, died September 28, 1995
THE influence on the Scottish National Party of lifelong supporter
Robert Curran was generally regarded as immense, reaching down through
the generations. In addition, he once held the distinction of being
Scotland's youngest Provost.
Mr Curran, who lived at Kirk Court, Tillicoultry, was a native of
Alva, emigrating with his family to Canada as a boy and spending much of
his childhood there.
He returned in time for secondary schooling, however, attending Alva
Academy.
Robert Curran lived and breathed the nationalist cause, and it was
said that his approach to his country was typical of someone who had
spent time beyond its shores.
His involvement with the SNP dated back to the early 1940s, when he
stood unsuccessfully but creditably for Parliament in the old Stirling
burghs constituency.
At the age of 21 he was elected a member of Alva Burgh Council on the
SNP ticket, and at the age of 25 became the youngest Provost in
Scotland.
He was national secretary of the SNP between 1951 and 1953, and became
convener of the party's organising committee between 1953 and 1954.
He also formed the National League for Young Scots, taking a party to
Dublin in 1953, ostensibly to play football but contriving to use the
visit to meet and talk with the Irish patriot, Prime Minister, and later
President, Eamon De Valera.
He then left Scotland again, crossing the Atlantic -- this time of his
own volition -- to spend some time in America, returning in 1974 just in
time to see George Reid win the parliamentary seat of Clackmannan for
the SNP.
In 1980 he was elected to Clackmannan District Council, and served for
four years. The funeral took place on Tuesday at Tillicoultry Parish
Church.
A bachelor, Robert Curran is survived by a brother George and niece
Anne, who both live in Clackmannanshire, and a nephew Robert who is
serving in the American Air Force.
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