Academic and expert on the history of medicine, sport and tourism
Born: August 4, 1946;
Died: October 5, 2017
DR ALASTAIR J Durie, who has died 71, was an academic who held a series of teaching, examination and research appointments at the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stirling.
He was born to a well-known property lawyer, Ross Durie, and his architect wife, Kathleen, and was educated at Edinburgh Academy where he excelled academically. He also enjoyed sport at school, particularly cricket.
He gained a MA in 1969 and a PhD in 1973 in economic history at The University of Edinburgh before working as s lecturer and senior lecturer at Aberdeen from 1971 to 89, Glasgow from 1989 to 2001, and Stirling from 2001 to 2017. At Aberdeen he became one of the first male wardens of an all-female students residence.
Dr Durie also taught the history of medicine for the Open University, the history of sport at Stirling and supervised the postgraduates of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
While at Aberdeen University, he visited the USA and Canada to recruit students and postgraduates. He also lectured there including giving the Mackenzie memorial lecture at the University of Guelph in Ontario.
His first research and publications were in the field of Scottish textiles, and his book, The Scottish Linen Industry in the 18th Century (supported by British Linen Bank) appeared in 1979. He also published essays on banking and management, on transport and culture.
In recent years his primary focus was on the history of Scottish tourism. Scotland for the Holidays, Tourism in Scotland 1780-1939 was published in June 2003; it was followed in 2006 by a study of hydropathy, Water is Best. In 2012 he edited Travels in Scotland 1788-1881 for the Scottish History Society.
He provided historical research for television and appeared with Annie Lennox on the television series Who Do You Think You Are?, with Len Goodman, the Strictly Come Dancing judge, on Grand Tours of Scotland, and with Fred MacAulay on the history of the Stonehaven open air swimming pool.
He was a lay assessor for the Law Society of Scotland with subsequent service on their professional conduct and guarantee fund, and had extensive experience of the complaints process as a committee member and sifter.
He was a lay preacher and very involved with church life, most recently with the Church of Scotland at Kincardine. He sang in two choirs and served on the committee of the Bridge of Allan Sports Club where he played squash.
He was very experienced rough shooter with many shooting friends. In his dying days he arranged for new homes for his two black Labrador dogs.
His funeral service, which was held at Holy Trinity Church, Stirling, was attended by over 250 friends and colleagues.
He is survived by his wife, Kate, daughter Ruth, son Alex, brother Roy and sister Gail and their families.
ROY R DURIE
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