Having spoken to Sandy on camera a little over 3 months ago, just before his 90th birthday, it is with much sadness that I must inform everyone who follows my blog, social media and You tube channels, of the passing of Sandy on the 17th of June.
It was Sandy’s wish that he had a quiet, private funeral, with as little fuss as possible which is the reason I have not written about his passing until now. But as a mark of respect to a modest and amazing gentleman, a week after his passing, I would now like to write a few words.
Having spent all his long working life as a Ghillie on the Knockando, Sandy was much more that a “Head Ghillie” he was much more than a work colleague, he was an inspirational character, an extremely knowledgeable and well-read man. Anyone meeting Sandy Milne be it in a professional capacity on the riverbank, or socially will remember him as a kind, mild mannered, funny, helpful, respectful, and gentle human being. For myself, he was the most amazing mentor in so many ways. There is no one who taught me more about people and how to deal with them properly, both difficult and easy, than Sandy. He had the most fantastic sense of humour and a great ability to make light of tricky situations using both humour and a calm head. In all the years I knew him I am not sure I ever saw him lose his temper, the mark of someone incredibly special indeed.
He oversaw profound change during his time on the river. Two highly contrasting employers with different values. Watching salmon fishing evolve from an elite sport where only friends of his employer fished, to a business where “everyone” had the chance to grace the riverbank and have the privilege of meeting people with such special, genuine qualities like him. As with so many other privileges, we never quite realise how special they are until we no longer have them. In this respect Sandy’s life has so many parallels to the Salmon themselves.
Sandy was also the most helpful person, a born fixer! As our head ghillie he would never duck out of doing the menial jobs himself another great trait and taught me the true value of teamwork. Our team consisted of 2 Sandy’s and an Ian. Sandy Milne and Sandy Smith were affectionately known by all the Wills family friends as - Sandy 1, Sandy 2. I was always the young lad. The whole thing reminded me a little of Dad’s Army, a great wee squad that had loads of laughs!
Sandy’s influence on me is simply huge, I will remember him fondly as the calm guy whose first thought was always other people. A wealth of knowledge the likes of which we will never see on the River Spey again. My mentor, like a father figure, I will go on feeling his influence until the end. I could write so much more but I know he would not want the fuss. My thoughts are very much with Jean, Brian and Sandra at this time.
For anyone who missed the interview we had please feel free to follow the link here - https://youtu.be/WPtb7s6evXA?si=F1_5i-JX_z6YCRVC
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