Tributes flood in for Ek historian and author David Ross

Jan 13 2010 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

HIS coffin draped in the Saltire, author and historian David Ross was carried on his last journey by six kilted friends to the tune of ‘Scots Wha Hae’ on the bagpipes.

Hundreds of mourners travelled from far and wide to pay their respects, so many that people were standing in the aisles and entrance hall to hear tributes led by David’s friends Humanist celebrant Jim McQuiston and well-known Scottish singer/songwriter Ted Christopher.

And since his sudden and tragic death as the result of a heart attack at his home in the Village in East Kilbride on Saturday, January 2, at the age of just 51, thousands of people from every corner of the globe have taken the time to pay tribute to a man the whole of Scotland has good reason to mourn.

David, with his passion for Scotland, was a wonderful ambassador for his beloved country.

So it was not surprising therefore that among the tributes was one from Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, who described David as “a tremendous enthusiast” for all things Scottish and, in particular, for the memory of William Wallace.

Through his books – the ninth of which he completed shortly before his death – his programmes for television and radio, his talks and his public appearances both here in Scotland and further afield, notably in the United States and Canada, David – in the words of his friends – inspired “thousands of people to acknowledge who we are as a nation”.

Born in Giffnock on February 28 1958, David’s family moved to East Kilbride when he was five and he attended Halfmerke Primary and East Kilbride High School.

One of his favourite subjects was history but he was frustrated at the fact it was mainly English history.

As a teenager he was inspired by the novels of Nigel Tranter to learn more about Scotland’s history and, at 17, he bought his first motorcycle and started to visit all the places he had read about.

Over the years his penchant for using his motorcycle to get him about sites of historical interest earned him the nickname of the ‘biker historian.’

His first book, entitled “On the trail of William Wallace” was published in 1999 and within a week was on the top ten bestsellers list in Scotland.

From then on David was regularly in the headlines travelling extensively to appear at meetings, highland gatherings and other events throughout the world.

An accomplished musician, keep fit enthusiast, friend and confidant, and for his good humour, sense of fun and fantastic knowledge, there are many aspects of David’s character for which he will be fondly remembered.

He was involved, too, in a number of organisations, notably as convener of the Society of William Wallace.

And it is perhaps his Walk for Wallace for which David will be best remembered.

In August 2005 he walked the 450 miles from the spot where Wallace was captured in 1305 to his place of execution in London. It was a journey closely followed by Scots patriots all over the world, including Sir Sean Connery, who telephoned David several times during the walk.

The funeral service David organised at St Bartholomew’s Church at Smithfield near the site where Wallace was executed was attended by hundreds of people, including Alex Salmond, and broadcast worldwide.

Afterwards David brought home a coffin containing Wallace’s “spiritual remains” in the form of letters from Scots patriots, to Lanark for burial.

‘I’m Coming Home’, a song written by Ted Christopher for that service was one of two songs played by Ted at David’s funeral, the other being ‘Caledonia’.

As his friends said: “David was a giant of a man in so many more ways than his physical stature. No man loved his country more and he made sure everybody knew it .”

Perhaps the only thing he loved more, was his daughter Kimberly and our heartfelt condolences go out to her and their extended family.

As David’s friends said he had so much more he wanted to do, so many plans and they have pledged to try and carry his dreams forward.