Obituary: Alan Martin, chartered surveyor, 82

Alan Martin BL FRICS, a chartered surveyor who lived in Edinburgh for over 50 years and whose designs included the Cameron Toll and Gyle shopping centres, has died aged 82.

Mr Martin was born in Glasgow and was trained as a chartered surveyor at the Assessor's Department of Glasgow Corporation, where he won the gold medal for winning the highest marks in the UK in his final exams.

He later obtained a law degree from Glasgow University before becoming first estates surveyor to Glasgow Corporation at just 24.

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He moved to Edinburgh in 1955 and was made assessor for Midlothian Council at 26, the youngest-ever appointed.

In 1962 he opened an Edinburgh office for the then small firm Montagu Evans, and was made a partner in 1965. By the time he retired in 1993 as a senior partner, the company was ranked in the UK top 20 of property firms, with four offices and over 200 staff.

Mr Martin is credited with expanding the company's client list, bringing in lucrative contracts with the likes of House of Fraser, Jenners and Forsyth's.

He also helped push out the boundaries of the firm's activities, bringing valuations, investments, development and town planning into their activities.

Mr Martin's expert advice was sought by major supermarkets, and he frequently gave testimony at public inquiries on planning issues. He played a key role in major shopping centre developments in Inverness and at the Gyle, and his designs for Cameron Toll won the European Prize for the best new shopping centre.

He was also involved in the development of the oil terminal at Sullom Voe, in Shetland.

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Mr Martin was appointed managing partner of Montagu Evans in 1985, which took him to London. He moved back to Edinburgh upon his retirement.

Throughout his career, Mr Martin was a keen supporter of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), where he was a major influence in the creation of its Planning and Development Division.

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He held a number of RICS Scottish Branch committee positions, and was appointed branch chairman in 1976. He was also honorary branch secretary from 1990 to 1993.

Mr Martin is remembered as having integrity, cheerfulness, being a hard worker and, no matter the circumstances, a never-failing sense of humour.

He is credited with attracting and developing talent at Montagu Evans, a key element of its growth.

In his spare time Mr Martin was a keen sailor, with a yacht on the west coast. He and his late wife Beattie had four children, two of whom predeceased him, and five grandchildren. Mr Martin is also remembered as an able hand at DIY, not least for building the family home in Currie, as well as subsequent extensions.

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