Long-serving Scotsman journalist dies aged 76

Published on Thursday 11 January 2007 01:20

RONNIE Munro, one of The Scotsman's longest-serving newspapermen, has died at 76 after a short struggle against cancer.

He began his career as a trainee reporter with the Banffshire Journal in 1947 before rising through the ranks to fulfil his ambition of joining The Scotsman. He worked for the newspaper for 37 years under four editors - Sir Alastair Dunnett, Eric Mackay, Chris Baur and Magnus Linklater.

Last night Mr Linklater said: "Ronnie Munro was a stalwart journalist of the old school, completely loyal to The Scotsman and tremendously honest in the way that he served the paper for very many years.

"He was completely dedicated to his craft and knew it better than most."

Mr Munro was famed for meticulous attention to detail and wrote a style book for Scotsman journalists.

In his first job he worked under the tutelage of his father, Alex, editor of the Banffshire Journal.

After a year with the Scottish Daily Mail as a sub-editor, he moved to The Scotsman in a similar role in December 1956.

In his final years at the paper, he was night editor and associate editor (production) before taking early retirement in 1993.

His wife, Janet, died in 2001. He leaves behind three children, Shona, Findlay and Fergus. In recent years, his constant companion has been Eleanor Wright.