Ian Harkness

Memories & stories

• Allotments

  Ian showed me around the allotments when I was hoping to start my allotmenting journey a few years ago. He was such a kind gentleman and regularly called over to ask how I was getting on.

  27th Feb 2021 - Richard

• I first met Ian when David invited me to Eva's 1st birthday party

  He immediately made me feel a welcome part of the family & has continued to do so since. I admire Ian's devotion to his family and feel privileged to have been a part that. He enjoyed knowing people & their stories, was easy to talk to & could find a shared interest with anyone. He had a thirst for knowledge & a curious mind which I'll always be impressed by. His legacy lives on through his family, who display the best parts of him. His kindness, his curiosity and his dedication.

  

  23rd Feb 2021 - Kerry

• Ian was a lovely colleague on the allotments committee and a super membership secretary - new members tended to be at least as impressed with Ian as with the allotments. I shall miss him.

  23rd Feb 2021 - Sarah

• Ian showed us around the allotment in Feb 2018. We had a choice of two plots and we took the one away at the end of the main path. So we were always passing Ian if he was on his plot and he always took the time to chat and ask how we were getting on.

  Lorna and Colin

  23rd Feb 2021 - Lorna

• Ian will be greatly missed on the allotments, he was such a familiar figure either doing the rounds with new tenants or just popping by to have a chat about everything and anything. It was only when I took over from him as membership secretary that I fully appreciated just how much work he had put in setting up spreadsheets and producing site plans. I was very grateful for all the support and help he gave me.

  23rd Feb 2021 - Suzanne

• Friendship

  Best friends are not always those you know the longest, rather those that once you find them, remain your friend. Thank you for being part of my life journey Ian.

  23rd Feb 2021 - Angela

• Friendship

  We have been close friends with Ian and Isobel for over 40 years Ian was a very intelligent person with a great sense of humour One of the things we admired in Ian was his ability to speak to people from all walks of life on a variety of different subjects

  A wonderful friendship never to be forgotten

  23rd Feb 2021 - Joyce and Sam

• Fondest memories of family get togethers over the years. Ian will be sadly missed.

  22nd Feb 2021 - Carol & Adrian

• A truly wonderful neighbour

  Ian and his wife, Isobel, gave me such a warm welcome when I moved in next door to them and over the next 25 years Ian and I had many chats – over what would have been the garden fence if there had been one – about everything under the sun. He had a great sense of humour and his witty one-liners frequently sent me on my way laughing. I will remember his wisdom, kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity and feel very fortunate to have had such a good neighbour and friend.

  22nd Feb 2021 - Sheena

• Friend and Neighbour

  Have known Ian, Isobel, Claire, Gail, and David since moving to Linlithgow. We soon became very good friends, and shared some great times together. Along with his Father in Law Donald, we soon became regulars in the Red Lion Pub, and many a happy time was had in Jim McKays company. I was a guest of Ian's at the Marches, and it was he that converted me to "The Blackness Milk". Because of pandemic restrictions, we had not met for some time 😢. On behalf of Sandra and myself we miss you so much.

  20th Feb 2021 - Iain

• We moved in next door to Ian and Isobel in 1988 and that was the start of over 30 years of friendship and fun times. Ian was always there with helpful advice on my many DIY dilemmas. Great memories of lovely people who will be sorely missed.

  20th Feb 2021 - John and Thora

• Scottish Gas

  Ian and I both worked in Scottish Gas, Ian was in Scientific Services, I was in Construction and we briefly worked together in 1976. I was impressed with Ian's knowledge and professionalism. Ian moved to Regional Headquarters in Edinburgh and Ian and I worked in the same team from 1988 to 1992, we soon became very good friends. He was often called upon by some Senior Managers to carry out special projects as he had a fine tuned analytical mind. Ian will be sorely missed by so many people

  20th Feb 2021 - Ken

• We were privileged to be neighbours to Ian on the allotments. We loved sharing time with him there. He was kind,gentle and patient with a beautiful sense of humour. We will always treasure that time that we spent with him.

  

  19th Feb 2021 - Yvette, Niall and Henry

• A lifetime of memories

  I met Ian when my sister Isobel brought him home to meet the family. We all got on well and this was the start of a lifetime of friendship. Ian was a devoted and loving Father and Grandfather and a loving Uncle to Jill and Alan. Many many happy holidays and family gatherings over the years. I will miss you so much but grateful to have known you and shared so many wonderful times.

  

  19th Feb 2021 - Eleanor

• I knew Ian for some 4 or 5 years, always had time to stop and chat or give advice, a true Gent.

  19th Feb 2021 - Kevan

• It was Ian who first showed me around the allotments on a snowy December day a few years ago and I was pleased to choose the one right beside his. He was a lovely man and a great allotment neighbour. My husband was always pleased to see him as he could have a good old chat with Ian instead of helping me! After we moved to a different plot I moved the nice red rhubarb that Ian shared with me and it is flourishing.

  19th Feb 2021 - Claire

• I have very happy Allotment memories of Ian and we exchanged tips and suggestions on vegetable growing, especially in the early years as vegetable growing was completely new to me.

  Taking time to sit and enjoy the view was always part of spending time at the Allotment, especially during Lockdown and Ian always had time to enjoy a chat.

  Kind Regards,

  Bill and Kathy Lindsay

  18th Feb 2021 - Kathleen

• I have lovely memories of talking vegetables with Ian on his allotment, just opposite my own. He was always full of such enthusiasm and happy to impart his tips and advice. I'll miss his cheerful face and gentle sense of humour.

  18th Feb 2021 - Fenella

• Ian and I were both plot holders at Oakwell allotments and served on the Committee for some years. He became a good friend, always cheerful even when he knew that things weren't too good. His courage in facing cancer was inspiring. I shall miss our chats at the allotment, his happy, smiling face. The world is a poorer place with Ian's passing.

  

  17th Feb 2021 - Paul

• A fellow gardener

  As a relatively recent allotment holder it was Ian who welcomed me to the Oakwell allotments and showed me around. Thereafter whenever our paths crossed he would always stop for a quick chat. I always looked forward to our short catch-ups - always a bright point in my day - a lovely man. I still have the lovely hellebores he gave me. I will really miss seeing him.

  17th Feb 2021 - Anna

• Coming from a Boys’ Brigade background Ian quickly became involved in the work of the 1st Linlithgow Company during his early years in Linlithgow. This established friendships which for some of us has spanned almost 50 years. Ian’s enthusiasm, sense of humour and dedication, not to mention his inventions, had a great influence on many of us here in Linlithgow, in West Lothian and beyond. Our lives have been made all the richer through knowing him.

  17th Feb 2021 - John