Colin Whittle 1947-2021

Colin and his siblings were born in the Kingdom of Fife, brought up in Edinburgh and, after their father finished as a housemaster at Fettes, the family moved north to Morayshire. Colin and his brothers were at Sedbergh together. He followed his brother Peter through Fitzwilliam and both read Economics and Land Economy (their brother Alasdair went to ‘the other place’): both became FRICS.

Initially Colin’s career was in estate management but he soon identified wider opportunities so qualified as a lawyer as well. He also applied those skills as a governor at Sedbergh and Gordonstoun. Colin joined R&R Urquhart, solicitors in Forres, became a partner and then senior partner. Later his son Jamie joined the partnership. The combined estate management and legal skills were a key in growing a very successful business.

In the 1970s, Colin picked up an infection while abroad and it attacked his kidneys. In 2008 his sister Anne offered him a kidney and that gave him thirteen extra years, for which he was immensely grateful and which he put to good use.

Colin was a good athlete and would have won a Cambridge rugby blue but for injury. He enjoyed birdwatching (ospreys, from the garden), skiing, shooting and riding. He and his wife Moira created a wonderful garden that ran down to the river Findhorn. Following a major stroke, Colin died on 23 May 2021 aged 73.