Obituary: Jimmy Carmichael

Agricultural auctioneer Jimmy Carmichael, the longest ever serving member of the Society of High Constables of Edinburgh, has died aged 82.

Friends described the Corstorphine man as a "lovely guy" who was always quick-witted, supportive and highly organised, making companions wherever he went.

Jimmy Carmichael was born in Edinburgh on 22 December, 1927 and raised in Comely Bank, attending Flora Stevenson's School until he was evacuated as a teenager to Lanark during the Second World War.

The 14-year-old went to live with his mother's cousins on a farm and it was there he fell in love with farming and began on a career path he would follow until his dying day.

On his return to Edinburgh, Mr Carmichael joined the auctioneering company John Swan and Sons as an office boy, remaining there his whole career, rising to managing director with almost 50 years of proud service.

As a livestock auctioneer, selling fat and store pigs at sales across Edinburgh, he was known to easily sell 1,000 pigs a week and was also a well-known face in sales in St Boswells and Dalkeith, eventually running the latter.

In 1966, he was made director of John Swan and Sons and then managing director in 1988, retiring in 1992 with employment only broken by his National Service in the RAF between 1946 and 1948.

Mr Carmichael had many interests and was a member of the Luffness Golf Club in East Lothian, Coltbridge Bowling Club and Edinburgh Curling Club.

He also gave a record-breaking length of service to the Society of High Constables of Edinburgh, the forerunner of the modern police force which supplies ceremonial guards for civic and royal duties, which he joined in 1966.

He was also keenly involved in its angling club, as well as being an elder of St Stephen's Church in Stockbridge, member of the Boys' Brigade and an enthusiastic Hearts fan.

But his proudest connection was with wife Mary, whom he married in 1955. She died six years ago from cancer having also been registered blind.

The pair were well known in the curling scene and were popular among their friends.

Mr Carmichael could be guaranteed to find common ground with total strangers, enjoying sharp conversation and good humour.

Rev Howard Haslett, who conducted Mr Carmichael's and his wife's funerals, said: "He was a lovely guy who was full of support for people.

"He knew everybody and was incredibly popular."

Mr Carmichael died in the Western General Hospital having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He is survived by six nieces and three nephews.