I am the oldest of a family of 8 and moved with my parents from Donegal to Glasgow in 1952. My father moved on to Philadelphia, PA in 1964 bringing the rest of his brood to the States by 1970.

Following my graduation in 1963, I married my wife Margaret (whom I met at school in the Latin class!) and moved on to teacher training at Jordanhill College.

Following a 'baptism of fire" lasting 6 years in Easterhouse, Glasgow, my career advanced fairly rapidly 'rising without trace" through posts in Maths/Guidance in Coatbridge, Dumbarton and Linwood; finally reaching the top as Head Teacher of Columba High, Coatbridge - a post which, with the help of a dedicated teaching and guidance staff, I enjoyed from1985 to my retirement in 2005. Our unofficial motto in Columba was "Per ardua ad hoc!"

My early interests included organizing school sailing clubs and Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions, including a spell as RYA sailing instructor at Blairveadach Outdoor Centre on the Clyde. I also enjoy music, reading, gardening and the occasional hill walk, but I suppose my consuming passion (apart from a daily tilt at the Herald crossword!) has to be golf which I now enjoy as a "senior" at Hilton Park, north of Glasgow.