Speaker Iain MacKinnon - Famous Folk and Celebrity Types Wot I Huv Met

Tue, Jan 19th 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm


Former Sunday Post journalist Iain MacKinnon gave an amusing account of his time as a reporter and the celebrities he encountered in a talk to fellow Kilrymont St Andrews Rotarians. 

Iain began his career with D. C. Thomson in Edinburgh in 1966 and became chief reporter there before moving to posts in Glasgow and then Dundee, latterly as deputy editor in charge of production.

Iain later went on to become involved as a consultant in the establishment of the St. Andrews Bay hotel and golf complex.

Iain told how sporting stars and celebrities were much more approachable in days gone by. He recalled sharing fish suppers with actor Patrick McGoohan in Alnwick in 1971. He quizzed him over his role in The Prisoner and McGoohan revealed he was also the creator of the series and admitted even he hadn't the faintest idea what it was all about.

Iain said on an occasion when he popped into an inn in Selkirkshire he ended up singing I Belong to Glasgow amazingly accompanied by Princess Margaret on the pub piano!

Iain said at the 1972 Open at Muirfield he was with two friends at Gullane when Gary Player came into the club and asked if they fancied a game over Gullane No1 course. Iain duly obliged but admitted the South African star golfer came out on top. Many years later at St. Andrews, Iain was playing with Australian pro Bruce Devlin on the Old when he encountered Gary again. Player was partnering none other than US president George Bush Snr and as handshakes were exchanged, Player, renowned for his photographic memory, remembered Iain from way back.

Iain also recalled being on the receiving end of booming serves from tennis ace Roger Taylor and sparring with world champion boxer Jim Watt. Jim toyed with Iain for a couple of minutes before delivering a knock out blow to show Iain what a "punch is really like."

Iain also told of a 2am phone interview with Muhammad Ali which nearly didn't happen after Iain's wife Jean answered the first call and put the phone down after thinking it was a prank.

From Bing Crosby to Ally McCoist, Iain met a plethora of sporting stars and TV and film celebrities.

Ian Black proposed thanks.

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