Loss of a keeper

THE departure of Mr Andrew Nicoll as keeper of the Scottish Catholic Archives and archivist at Columba House, Edinburgh, was both unexpected and unannounced.

I am sure I express the sentiments of historians and researchers at home and abroad in regretting his future absence at the helm at a critical moment in the history of a collection of documents compiled in many parts of Scotland and the continent and dating from the 12th century.

The achievements of Mr Nicoll’s ten years as a keeper and archivist brought international recognition not only for himself but for the Scottish Catholic Archives, which, without his drive and direction, will be the poorer.

Michael TRB Turnbull

Orchard Court

Longniddry, East Lothian