Bilbo Baggins: Guitarist with Edinburgh band who enjoyed 70s chart success dies

A member of a much-loved Edinburgh band who enjoyed chart success in the 1970s has died.

Bilbo Baggins guitarist Gordon ‘Tosh’ McIntosh passed away in the early hours of Friday.

Initially active from 1972 to 1979, Bilbo Baggins supported fellow Edinburgh rockers Bay City Rollers, with whom they shared a manager, Tam Paton.

Their 1978 single, She’s Gonna Win, peaked at No.42 on the UK Singles Chart.

The sad news of McIntosh’s death was confirmed on social media by the band’s lead singer, Colin Chisholm.

Posting on Facebook, Chisholm wrote: "I received a phone call this morning from Gordon's wife, Margaret, to let me know that Tosh had passed away in the early hours.

“It was a phone call I had been dreading but for the last few days had been expecting.

“Brian, Fid and myself are devastated, as are former members of Bilbo, Jimmy Devlin and Peter Vettese.

Bilbo Baggins performing She's Gonna Win, which peaked at No.42 on the UK Singles Chart in 1978.

“I remember when Bilbo were having tentative discussions regarding a reunion - Tosh, although very nervous, was absolutely buzzing.

“He continued to be buzzing right up until the opening number on the first reunion in 2019.

“When Bilbo walked on the stage that night at Voodoo Rooms, we were met with such a welcome and such love, that any nerves Tosh felt simply melted away.

“We all spoke of how glad we were we had got back together and that we’d never forget that night.

“We didn't and did it all again last February 2020. Little did we know what lay ahead.

“At this heartbreaking time, we send our love to Margaret, Kirsty and Lee.

“Goodnight Tosh from your band of brothers Bilbo xx.”

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