JULY/AUGUST 2001
www.celtic-connection.com
Page 11
Surprise as Dewar Estate Tops £2 Million
EDINBURGH - Friends and political colleagues have expressed amazement when it was learned that Donald Dewar, who died last October, left a £2 million personal estate.
The former Scottish First Minister never gave any outward signs of being a millionaire and his lifestyle was always modest and frugal. In fact, he sometimes looked a bit down at heel in crumpled suits. He didn't take holidays abroad and for many years, he didn't even possess a passport.
There was even greater astonishment when it was discovered the former Labour Party champion had shares in more than 50 companies, some of which, like Railtrack, Powergen and Thames Water, are privatized. This from a politician who lambasted plans to privatize the Scottish electricity supply as asset-stripping "nonsense."
Dewar, who died following a brain haemorrhage, aged 63, avoided extravagance throughout his distinguished political career, prefer-
DONALD DEWAR
ring to read a good book rather than attend a social function.
Nearly all of his life was taken up by politics and, if he did have wealth, he probably had little time to enjoy it.
He was known for being disorganized in his personal life. As one Labour Party stalwart remarked, Dewar would probably be surprised himself to learn that he had accumulated an estate worth as
much as £2,060,456.
His great passion for fine art and old books also proved to be lucrative investments, with his collection of paintings by Scottish Colourists worth £406,940. His antique book collection, most of which is being donated to the Scottish parliament, was valued at £30,550.
The only son of a medical consultant, Dewar had a middle-class upbringing; his parents lived in the west end of Glasgow and he went to Glasgow Academy. According to his friends, he probably inherited enough from his parents to ensure that he would not need to be financially frugal.
He qualified as a lawyer and at one time was a partner in the Glasgow firm of Ross Harper and Murphy. But, most of his life was as a politician, first as MP for Aberdeen South between 1966 and 1970 and then, from 1978 onwards, as the MP for Glasgow Garscadden, later to become Glasgow Anniesland.
After holding front-bench posts in opposition, he became Scottish Secretary when Labour came to power in 1997 and was Scotland's First Minister in the new Scottish parliament.
Over 2,000 Tartans at Hector Russell
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
SEATTLE - On my recent tour of some of the Celtic businesses in the Seattle area, I dropped in to visit Hector Russell Scottish Imports in Burien, located close to Seattle International Airport.
Hector Russell Scottish Imports is an attractively merchandised shop and Edinburgh-born manager John Thompson is a great resource to learn what's happening in Scottish communities in and around Seattle.
Originally known as The Scottish Shopper, the business was taken over by Hector Russell approximately six years ago and the original name remained until about three years ago. Thompson said, "Hector Russell Scottish Imports is based out of Inverness in Scotland and most of the products we make and sell here are imported from Scotland."
"We carry a full range of jewellery, knives, and dirks along with sporrans and over 2,000 tartans," he said.
"Recently, we've added a new set of old and rare tartans - The Flower and Blue Douglas - which have just come out for kilts. We cater to both men and women with gents pleated, eight-yard kilts and ladies pleated kilted skirts. Another popular service is our hire department for kilt rental.
"We also offer a range of pewter and silver along with sweaters, Scottish foodstuff such as haggis, and Highlander figurines such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. There is one in particular that I like and that is the forming of the Black Watch."
"The shop also has access to any raw material that anybody wants,
EDINBURGH-BORN John Thompson is the manager of Hector Russell Imports, located in Burien, near Seattle International Airport.
such as silks and silk tartans. We have souvenir items, clan crests and shields and boy and girl dolls that we can dress in any tartan our customers wish."
Of course, no Scottish shop would be complete without bagpipes, and the Hector Russell sells pipes, bagpipes, chanters and a full range of supplies for the pipes. Anyone wishing to learn to play the pipes is referred to several instructors in the Seattle
For more information, visit Hector Russell Scottish Imports at 146 S W. 152nd Street, Seattle, or call (206) 242-1768 or (206) 242-0291. Fax (206) 439-9066, or e-mail: HRSImports (gaol.com.
KURSK SALVAGE PLANS
ABERDEEN - Russian divers playing a part in the efforts to raise the Kursk nuclear submarine have run into problems ahead of their arrival in Aberdeen.
The divers were set to join a North Sea diving ship which will be involved in preparations for the recovery of the vessel. Operations are due to begin later in July in the Barents Sea, where the Kursk sank with the loss of its entire 118-strong crew.
However, BBC Scotland has reported that the north-east company which owns the diving ship still does not have a contract for the Kursk salvage. The divers were thought to be joining the North Sea diving support vessel Mayo at Aberdeen Harbour.
The vessel's team of divers was initially to carry out an inspection of the wreck before starting cutting operations on the hull. This would prepare it for a heavy lifting operation by Dutch contractors Mammoet Transport BV in September.
The Russian navy is to supervise the lifting of the Kursk, which was sunk by an explosion during a naval exercise last summer. There were unsuccessful attempts by the Russian navy to rescue the trapped crewmen who had survived the initial accident.
It is hoped the salvage will not only result in the victim's bodies being recovered, but will explain what crippled the Kursk. Last month Russia launched a website to cover the raising of the Kursk, following fierce media criticism of the authorities' handling of the disaster.
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