The Edinburgh Reporter February 2022

10
In memory of Peter Ritchie
Jim Mackintosh
Born 2 January 1949 – Died 3 December 2021
IF ANY MAN was destined for a
life at sea it was Peter Ritchie.
Born into an old Musselburgh
fishing family his future seemed
preordained. Yet while salt water
ran in his veins, Peter went on to
become a fine police detective
and a prolific writer.
A true lad o’ pairts, he was also
an accomplished artist, poet and
playwright. Driven to fill every
waking minute, Peter also
volunteered at his local museum
and hospice, and actively
supported his heart’s desire -
Scottish independence.
The restless energy that
defined his life showed itself early
when he left school as soon as
possible, desperate to follow his
family tradition in fishing off
Scotland’s east coast.
For the next decade Peter
worked on his family’s boats, the
“Brighter Dawn”, the “Bon
Aventure” and many others,
becoming one of the youngest
qualified skippers in the fleet. The
long days and nights at sea
kindled his lifelong love of nature
and of Scotland’s wild places.
But in 1974, he could see the
future decline of inshore fishing
and, newly married, he came
ashore to follow another
ambition, the police service.
Joining Lothian & Peebles
Constabulary was a cultural and
financial shock, his police wage
was half of what he earned at sea,
but his prospects were bright.
Peter soon found himself as a
detective in the CID. He was a
natural, with a sharp mind,
shrewd judgement and
meticulous attention to detail. It
was just as well, for in the 1980s
he was immersed in the hunt for
the serial killers that stalked
Scotland’s Central Belt during
that decade.
Promotions came quickly but
the domestic scene could not
contain his restless spirit, and
posts as the Head of the
Organised Crime Unit in the
National Criminal Intelligence
Service in London, and later as UK
Liaison Officer to Europol in The
Hague were filled with distinction
in senior rank.
Life after the police continued
at a hectic pace when Peter took
up writing as a new passion.
Always a good communicator, he
found a niche in the competitive
field of crime fiction and Tartan
Noir. Based firmly on his own
experience, the six volumes of the
“Detective Grace Macallan” series
brought fiction as close to fact as
possible. Plays, poems and poetry
completed his prodigious output.
But anchoring this energetic
spirit was a family that staunchly
supported him. Agnes, his wife of
nearly 50 years and his much
loved children, Wee Peter and
Claire, gave him the foundation
of stability he needed. Latterly his
young grandchildren, Nancy and
Angus, were the loves of his life.
When diagnosed with a
terminal illness, Peter took the
news with grace and quiet
courage. His only regret was
leaving his family. On his last day
in the tender care of St Columba’s
Hospice in Edinburgh, he was
writing a new play - set in a
hospice. To the last he was
pushing forward.
Peter Ritchie. Fisherman,
detective, writer, artist, poet and
playwright. Scottish lad o’ pairts.
Tom Wood, author and former
Deputy Chief Constable of
Lothian & Borders Police
Above, Peter in
recent times
Left, Peter Ritchie
as a young man
at sea
It’s a Window
Wanderland
Corstorphine in the frame
CORSTORPHINE TOWN Centre and the surrounding area will
become the focus for an outdoor gallery encouraging visitors to
become wanderers during Corstorphine Window Wanderland.
To take part anyone in the area can register their window to
become part of the trail. Visitors can see the display between 6pm
and 9pm each evening on 26, 27 and 28 February.
The display can be in a window of a home, nursery, school,
business, car or a front garden - anywhere that can be seen by passers
by - and anything family friendly will fit the criteria.
When all entries are submitted the organisers will produce an
online map showing the locations of all the displays. Window
Wanderland can help with the materials such as paper which they
can sell on at cost price and which can be collected from The Refillery
at 119b/c St John's Road EH12 7SB. The deadline for orders is
6 February 2022. But designers are also encouraged to be as
environmentally conscious as possible and use recycled goods
where they can.
While this is an outdoor event the organisers also remind everyone
that any Covid-19 rules must be complied with.
For further details please email Vikki or Becky at
corstorphine.window.wanderland@gmail.com
Library petition
A PETITION HAS been set up to reopen Leith
Library describing it as a “vital service which is
used by a broad spectrum of our community
- from parents and children accessing books
and toys to elderly people reading the
newspapers to job hunters using the
computers. For many, Leith Library is a lifeline.
“While we understand the community
needs a Covid testing centre, in areas such as
Morningside and Stockbridge alternative
Covid testing sites have been found and their
libraries have re-opened. Why not move Leith’s
testing centre to some of the empty space in
Ocean Terminal?”
New Highway Code
A NEW HIERARCHY of road users will put
vulnerable categories such as pedestrians
and cyclists at the top if a new change to the
Highway Code is enacted on 29 January.
When passed, the Highway Code update
will include a new hierarchy of road user. For
the first time in Britain the law will recognise
that those who pose the greatest risk on our
roads to others have a higher level of
responsibility. This means someone cycling
will have greater responsibility to look out
for people walking, while someone driving
would have greater responsibility to look out
for people cycling, walking or riding a horse.