Peter Drysdale died yesterday.
He was a farmer, and close friend of my Father’s, who although in his early eighties, retained all the zest and fitness of a man five decades his junior.
His death was sadly – as are still many on farms – caused by an accident.
Peter, like many farmers of my Father’s generation was of that old school, where stoicism, fortitude ad robustness of spirit was the order of the day. There are no sides to these men. What you see is what you get.
He was also a member of the self styled Scottish Parliament, or as they felt – more politically correct – what they ended up calling their “Friday club”
My Father, Peter and ten of their long time Perthshire fellow farming friends would meet – and will continue to do so without Peter – on a Friday, traditionally the livestock sale day.
Although these sales have diminished in Scotland in recent years, the Friday club still meets weekly. They have keys to open the mart bar so they can have a dram (a double measure of whisky) and discuss the weather, the crops, their animals and the general politics of the day.
These men have been through thick and thin, good times and bad, yet despite the vagaries of the years, they have had the good grace to remain loyal friends.
Earlier this year, my Father was delighted to inform me, that the cumulative age of his tribe of old boys, was over a thousand years!
Now, they are one friend less.
These men left an indelible impression on a young boy growing up in the Scottish countryside and were touchstones – through deed and conversation – on many, in their extended community.
It was my privilege to know Peter and my life is the poorer for his passing.
We simply have no idea what’s round the corner, so let’s make every day count!
It does your heart good, doesn’t it?
You know, that wonderful feeling when you meet professionals, who are not only great at what they do, but simply full of enthusiasm and zest for their work, which leaves you with that warm happy feeling, just being in their company.
Early last week we filmed a short promotional film for our respected clients, Aker Solutions.
We arranged to record a short passenger arrivals sequence at Aberdeen International airport and our crew arrived duly prepped and fully briefed.
We were met by the vivacious and charming Sarah Campbell, who is not only an incredible ambassador for her company – Aberdeen Airport – but also a veritable human whirlwind. 
No request was too much trouble, no effort too great to ensure our team got the shots they wanted, inside and outside the terminal.
Irrespective of what might happen during the rest of the day everyone agreed they’d been energized working with Sarah.
All to soon the gear was de-rigged, and our next location beckoned.
At Aker Solutions we were met with a large smile and the gentle presence of Lesley Yeats at their HR department. This was day two of the shoot and Lesley was well prepared for our film crew.
Despite all the accoutrements of lights, stands, cables, monitors camera, sound equipment and personnel, no request was to much bother that it could not be easily accommodated.
Before each sequence Lesley was always on hand gently encouraging and listening to young graduates who had volunteered to be interviewed
There was a quiet serenity to her presence which affected the crew every bit as positively as our morning meeting with Sarah.
It occurred to me that there was a grace and inner drive to both women, which was difficult to quantify, but nevertheless tangible, to all who came into contact with them.
That evening as I took a flight out of Edinburgh airport I remembered the old aviators phrase, “chocks away!” to enable their aircraft to roll down the runway and take to the skies.
And that was it!
The spirit, drive and total commitment of our early pioneering pilots – who took off in ramshackle old Tiger Moths – was alive and kicking in Sarah and Lesley, who saw no barriers, to making it happen.
Maybe, it’s time to unshackle the blocks from your business?