Tributes to ex-pat who died in icy reservoir

THE family of an Edinburgh ex-pat who was killed along with two others in Canada after his car plunged into an icy reservoir have paid an emotional tribute to him.

Former Edinburgh Academy pupil James Roderick "Roddy" Allan was killed after the Ford Escape skidded on ice and plunged into the Spray Lakes Reservoir in Alberta.

Brother-in-law Alex Heald called him "one of the cleverest and most artistically talented people I've known", but whose "greatest talent and passion was reserved for his family".

Mr Allan's sister, Kirsten, who flew over from the UK to be at his funeral service in Calgary on Wednesday, described his close links to Edinburgh and frequent visits to watch rugby internationals at Murrayfield.

Mr Allan, 43, boarded at Edinburgh Academy between 1977 and 1986, going on to study ceramics at Glasgow School of Art for four years.

He returned to the Capital around 1990 and worked in a number of bars, restaurants and hotels in the city, including Malmaison in Leith, before emigrating to Canada in 1996.

But his family said his love for the city remained and he even returned to propose to his partner, Jaimie Waugh, at Edinburgh Castle in 2007.

Mr Allan died along with his brother-in-law, Darrin Waugh, and his wife, Jennifer, both 39 and from Calgary, following the crash on December 30.

Jaimie Waugh, 33, was the only survivor after members of the public rushed to help those stuck in the stricken vehicle.

Mr Heald said: "Roddy had a huge personality and was a man who hated sitting still. The last time I saw him, earlier this year, he was stranded in London for a week due to the Icelandic ash cloud.

"He immediately took the opportunity to find out which Premiership rugby games were on that weekend and the two of us spent an afternoon watching the Harlequins and Saracens playing at the new Wembley Stadium.

"Roddy was passionate about rugby union, both as player and spectator. He was a sportsman from his childhood. He learnt to sail on his father's boat in Hong Kong and learned his rugby on the playing fields of Edinburgh Academy. I remember him as one of the cleverest and most artistically talented people I've known.

"He could talk expertly on all sorts of subjects, from rugby to food and drink to history and literature and film and always held strong and serious opinions.

"He had studied ceramics and sculpture at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art and worked as a professional artist.

"Roddy's paintings of Edinburgh pub characters dominate our living room and kitchen in London, and he painted the invitation for our wedding."

Mr Heald added that it meant a great deal for his brother-in-law to travel to Edinburgh Castle to propose to his partner.

He said: "It was a place of great significance for him, not least because he was taken there many times as a child by his beloved grandfather Jimmy."

More than 700 family members and friends held a church service for Mr Allan, and the other two victims.

Outside the auditorium, Mr Allan's rugby jersey was laid out, while his photographs of the Rocky Mountains were set out on easels.

Witnesses reported that the vehicle may have hit a patch of ice before hitting the bank and careering over the edge into the reservoir where it plunged through the ice, sinking into about two metres of water.

As well as Jaimie, Mr Allan is survived by sons Oliver and Rylen, and parents Hamish and Margaret.