Scotsman reader’s poignant final letter published

A regular contributor to The Scotsman’s letters pages arranged for his final letter to be published posthumously two days after he died from cancer on Wednesday night.

David Fiddimore.

David Fiddimore, an author and retired customs officer, was well-known to readers of the paper’s letters pages for his wit, engagement and socialist principles.

In his last weeks, Fiddimore, 70, who was a popular figure in Edinburgh’s Old Town, was too frail to type and so dictated his correspondence to his wife, Marion.

David Fiddimore’s final letterSince retiring in 2004, Fiddimore had started writing historical novels, including Tuesday’s War, and much enjoyed debating politics and economic issues with other correspondents via the Scotsman’s letters page.

In his final letter, which was published today, he thanked his fellow correspondents, writing: “Thank you for your wit, scholarship and humour – and just plain knowledge. It has been great fun being part of a letter-writing companionship.

“I believe strongly that the correspondence column of a newspaper is the true guardian of its very soul, and in these perilous times for printed newspapers your Scotsman needs you more than ever – so keep the keyboards rattling.

“I am so sorry I won’t be there to continue the discussions and spats.”

An obituary of David Fiddimore will be published in Saturday’s Scotsman.