Leading figures from the fields of politics and media have paid tribute to Angus Macleod, the Times Scottish editor, who died yesterday after a short illness.
Macleod, 63, was being treated for cancer at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow.
He was an award-winning writer and well-known broadcaster who regularly contributed to BBC political programmes.
His death has been described as a "huge loss to journalism".
An article in The Times today described Macleod as a "hugely respected journalist" and "one of the most acute observers of the Scottish and UK political scenes".
It said: "He was loved by his staff as a fair-minded and enthusiastic editor with an extraordinary gift for identifying the heart of any news story.
"His unfailing generosity and encouragement inspired scores of colleagues and young journalists."
It added: "His loss to journalism and to Scottish society will be keenly felt."
Here are some tributes to Macleod from Twitter today:
My friend and brilliant colleague Angus MacLeod, Scottish editor of The Times, has died today of cancer. His love of life inspired us all.
— David Brown (@DavidhBrown) October 7, 2014
I'm sad to report the death today of Angus Macleod, Scottish Editor of The Times, an outstanding journalist and a very dear friend.
— Katherine O'Donnell (@kathy__odonnell) October 7, 2014
Very saddened to learn of the death of Angus Macleod, Scottish editor of @thetimes. Will always remember his great generosity of spirit
— David Jack (@DJack_Journo) October 7, 2014
V sad news of death of Angus Macleod, @thetimes Scotland Editor. Brilliant analyst of Scots politics, great company on the beat, lovely man.
— Sam Lister (@samjlister) October 7, 2014
I am so sad at passing of our dear friend and colleague Angus Macleod. We were in touch often and very recently and I miss him terribly. RIP
— Eamonn O'Neill (@EamonnONeill) October 7, 2014
Awful stuff about Angus MacLeod, a titan of the political scene. How fitting that his last tweet was 'I trust my reporter'
— Ross McCafferty (@RossMcCaff) October 7, 2014
Very sad to hear of the death of the Scottish editor of The Times Angus Macleod. A top bloke and a terrific political analyst.
— Stephen Townsend (@StephenTowns10) October 7, 2014
So very sad we won't hear the wonderful voice of Angus MacLeod again. Rest well Angus.
— Laura Maciver (@LauraMaciver3) October 7, 2014
Sad, but sadly unsurprising, news that Angus MacLeod, Scottish editor of The Times, has died after a long & painful illness. Farewell, Mr M.
— alexmassie (@alexmassie) October 7, 2014
Angus MacLeod helped a huge number of journalists; many of us are in his debt. His enthusiasm for the trade – and the fray – never wavered.
— alexmassie (@alexmassie) October 7, 2014
So sad to hear Angus Macleod, Scottish Editor of The Times, has passed away. A huge force in Scottish politics, he will be missed greatly
— Sam Coates Times (@SamCoatesTimes) October 7, 2014
Very sad to hear Angus Macleod died. 1st knew him when he was Sunday Mail political editor. A terrific all-round journalist & true pro. RIP.
— Kevin Pringle (@KevinJPringle) October 7, 2014
Very sad to learn that Angus MacLeod, Scottish editor of The Times, has died aged only 61. He was old school, in the best sense of the term.
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) October 7, 2014
Saddened to hear Angus Macleod has passed away. A thoughtful & insightful journalist who will be missed right across the political divide.
— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) October 7, 2014
Goodnight Angus MacLeod, I'll miss your writing, your judgement and your Plasterfield voice. Soraidh leat a charaid.
— Torcuil Crichton (@Torcuil) October 7, 2014
Jim Cassidy, former editor of the Sunday Mail, sent Press Gazette the following tribute:
Scotland has lost one of the most distinctive and authoritative voices and British journalism has lost one of the greatest communicators of his generation. He never lost his enthusiasm for journalism or his resolve to source the truth.
“He used to burst into my room and with his Hebridean lilt announce, ‘I have a howitzer, a real howitzer that will blow the rest of them out the water.’ The truth was, his exclusive after exclusive did often blow the other newspapers out of the water and more often than not the ‘howitzer’ set the Scottish news agenda for the week.
“When he conveyed to me recently about his illness I told him I was just back from Stornoway and had been struck by the sense of pride the people in the islands had of him. People who had been at school with Angus, people who knew his family or just knew him through radio and newspapers talked in glowing terms of Angus Macleod.
“In reality, thousands of people throughout Scotland had that same sense of pride, they were proud of Angus Macleod."
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