Obituary: David Dundas Wood, respected Scottish solicitor

David D Wood was, until he retired due to ill health in 2000, the doyen of the solicitors practising in Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. Highly respected in legal circles, Mr Wood was appointed to be an Honorary Sheriff in 1990 and he served with distinction as Dean of the local law faculty at a time when court procedures were undergoing numerous changes.

He was educated at Fettes and Edinburgh University. As a member of the third generation of his family to practise law in Kirkcaldy, law was in his blood – but this did not prevent him from leading a full and varied life away from work.

A competent artist, he was for years an art instructor and leader in the old Rose Street Boys Club, getting and giving much amusement on their annual camping exploits.

Always a sociable man, he played jazz trumpet and entertained his many friends to memorable parties, at which he led his own band.

He played golf and tennis into advanced years and was treasurer at Falkland Tennis Club. He took a leading role in the successful revival of Kirkcaldy men’s hockey club – it had not survived the war – but he achieved most success as a batsman playing for Kirkcaldy Cricket Club. On at least one occaasion he collected the bat awarded weekly by the Sunday Post for the fastest 50 runs scored in a league game.

Away from work, music and sport, Mr Wood was, from university age, active in SNP politics, standing without success for Kirkcaldy Burghs in 1984’s Westminster election and for many years he was treasurer of the North East Fife Branch of the SNP. He filled the same capacity for the very active Falkland War Memorial Committee, all the while finding time with his wife Morag to bring up their four children, and create and maintain the beautiful gardens at their happy home at Old Lathrisk which they opened to the public for charitable causes.

He is survived by Morag and children Jo, Graham, Maggie and John

David's ashes will be buried in Falkland Cemetry beside the grave of his great grandfather Major William Wood, Black Watch, who was the last factor of the Falkland Estates before they were bought by the Crichton-Stuart family, then served them for 30 years.

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