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August 5, 2004updated 22 Nov 2022 11:54am

Celebrated Scots journalist loses cancer battle

By Press Gazette

One of Scotland’s most respected journalists, Brian Meek, died this week after a six-month battle against leukaemia, writes Hamish Mackay.

Meek, 65, died at home with his wife of 21 years, Frances Horsburgh, a former political correspondent of The Herald, by his side.

Edinburgh-born Meek joined The Scotsman as a trainee and wrote for various publications throughout his career – latterly being a columnist for The Herald.

He was four times the Columnist of the Year in the Bank of Scotland Press Awards and twice Sports Journalist of the Year.

He was also one of Scotland’s longest-serving councillors, having represented Edinburgh City for 35 years.

Mark Douglas-Home, editor of The Herald, said: “Brian was talented in a rare combination of fields: journalism and politics. In both of these, he was a figure who commanded respect and affection.

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“His long-standing column in The Herald was wise as well as informative and entertaining.

Like all good columnists, he made you think.”

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