Born: 
14/01/1934
Died: 
02/10/2008
Specialty: 
Psychiatry and General Practice
Designatory Letters: 
MB Edin 1958, DPM Lond 1965, MRCP Edin 1967, FRCP Edin 1996

(Information kindly supplied by Ms. Wendy E Steele)

Ian Swanson Ross wanted to be a poet but realised that a career in medicine offered more security. After graduating from Edinburgh he trained in Psychiatry and, enjoining his time at Charing Cross Hospital, London, made many friends in London especially in the Scots community there, in joining the Caledonian Club and when attending the Church of Scotland. His many intellectual interests, his love of literature and golf, and above all his personality, won him many friends there.

However he returned to Scotland and entered General Practice in Dunfermline as a partner to Dr Frater, a skilled piper. His fascination with his fellow men and women never left him but sometimes led to sensitive but gentle cynicism about the cruelty Man could inflict on others. Above all else he was a gentle man, cultured, caring and deeply compassionate.

Retirement made him a common and much admired sight in St Andrews on the golf course or walking his dogs, chatting to acquaintances or reminiscing about happy days in London, Brora, Fife or St Andrews. His final 18 months were spent in Leven, lovingly cared for and admired, always at his happiest near the sea or a golf course.