Brian Taylor

Former Pupil Brian Taylor, a Class of 1972 alum, has led a fascinating career in political journalism since waving goodbye to the Pillars. Having worked for a number of reputable British companies including the Press and Journal in Aberdeen, Thomson Regional Newspapers and, most recently, the BBC, Brian has covered politics in all its forms, from general elections to the Scottish Independence Referendum. Brian joined the ranks of the BBC in 1985 as a Reporter, before becoming Political Correspondent and, most recently, Political Editor. In October this year, Brian officially retired from his position with the BBC and very kindly took the time to catch up with our Development Office in a recent Q&A interview.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us today Brian, it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to hear all about what you have been up to since leaving the School. When you look back on your school days, what are your favourite memories? Are there any staff that you remember being a positive influence on your school-age self? I had a truly glorious time at the High School, benefiting from enlightened pedagogy as well as fine comradeship. Good doughnuts, too! As to the staff, there are too many to mention. But I look back with mild amusement upon my Latin classes with Sandy Smith and Pop Howat, both shod in tackety boots as I recall. Jock Stevenson taught me French and the lasting importance of sharpening one’s pencils regularly. Bob Fyall instilled in me a lifelong love of the novels of Sir Walter Scott. Tommy Porteous and Bill Hook strove personfully to win me over to music. In history there was G.C. Stewart. From his teaching, I will always recall that 1789 was “a black year for Britain”. Not entirely sure how or why, but apparently it was. The Rectors when I was there, D.W. Erskine and E.M. Stewart, were both natural leaders. There was Dallas Allardice, master of the scrum and the Dashing White Sergeant. Ever adjuring us to enter the dance on tippie-toes. Many, many others; the Ferret, Biffo, Pongo… And of course, the doyenne of the entire school, Ag Gray. A slight but commanding figure. My most enduring memory is of the sociability of our year, notably displayed in our G&S production, Ruddigore. I worked backstage, giving microphone calls to the cast. My first experience of broadcasting. Did you form any lasting friendships and, if so, are you still in touch with old school friends today? Have you ever been back to the School for our annual Reunion event? One friendship which has rather endured is with Pamela Niven, who was in my year. We will soon celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. I remain in touch with several good chums and Pam keeps contact through the mysteries of that inter-web thing (which is, to me, about as comprehensible as early Aramaic!) We both attended a wonderful reunion in 1992, aboard the Unicorn. Everyone played to type. The constrained kept their ties on, the rest got tired and emotional. And one of our number, always a zestful chap, fell in the harbour. Ah, happy days! Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities or clubs during your time at HSD? I enjoyed hockey. We had a Maths teacher, Bill Garland, who was also an expert hockey player. He brought out our carefully disguised talents with constant coaching and training. For a prolonged spell, I was keen on chess, encouraged by Nancy Elder and my good pal Doug Tudhope. Bridge too. And, in the Form Six common room, three card brag. From time to time, I indulged myself in debating. Mostly, though, I recall the fellowship of chums.

Looking back, how would you describe your school-aged self in three words? Mischievous, eager and affable. You studied English at the University of St Andrews, but what led to you deciding that a career in journalism is what you wished to pursue? Was this something you had considered in your school days or was this something that came to light a little later on? While at university in St Andrews, I committed verse. Despite the imprecations of friends and family, I turned out intense poetry, some of which was published. I was even sufficiently pompous to read out said stanzas at literary events. Thankfully, this youthful output has mostly been suppressed. At the time, however, I was decidedly keen.

My then girlfriend Pam, now my wife of several years standing (and sitting), raised the topic with me one fine evening. From the High School, she also attended St Andrews, studying Modern Languages. And, not infrequently, studying me. From this perusal, she concluded that intense verse, while all very well in its way, would not pay the bills when, as planned, we married.

“If you yearn to write” she said, “then why not try journalism?”. By coincidence, the student newspaper, Aien, was going through one of its periodic crises at the time. I attended a meeting that very week, joined the staff and, within a short period, engineered a coup to make myself Editor.

It was the beginning of my career in journalism. I spent the glorious summer of 1976 working on the St Andrews Citizen. The first two people I interviewed for that fine paper were Milton Friedman and the Crown Prince of Japan. All downhill from there.

Your role specifically focuses on political journalism and news, but what fuelled your interest in politics? My interest lies not in partisan politics – although that can be fun – but in what politics can do. The issues at its core, the choices to be made. In newspapers and for the BBC, I have tried to explain to people the significance of topical events. I have tried to signal what these events and pronouncements might mean for them. To work in their interests, in short. Not those of the powerful.

You have worked with the BBC since the mid-1980s, so you’ve had a very long and successful career! What would you say have been your career highlights and best moments? Mostly, I reflect upon the diversity. I have worked on the telly, on the wireless and, now, online. I have guested on programmes and presented them. I have worked for BBC Scotland and Network. I have worked in news, current affairs, documentaries – and, occasionally, comedies such as ScotSquad. During one particularly dull by-election programme, I even resorted to song to divert the audience. The Road and the Miles to Dundee, naturally.

The highlights would probably be those defining moments in politics, elections and referendums. In my early newspaper years, I covered the 1979 Scottish Referendum and the election of Margaret Thatcher that year. Mostly for the BBC, I have covered every election since. I covered umpteen European Summits and two US Presidential elections. Above all, I was absorbed in the Independence Referendum of 2014, when public interest in politics was at its peak. The Brexit Referendum, too, of course. But, before any of that, I covered the creation of the Scottish Parliament – or its reconvening, as Winnie Ewing memorably declared, referring to the pre-Union Independent Parliament. Indeed, the discourse about Scotland’s future has been the theme tune of my entire career. What would you say have been your biggest challenges throughout your career? Journalism is basically simple. Not easy, but simple. You find stuff out and tell folk about it. Either in print or on the air. Finding stuff out can be challenging. Or, more precisely, finding out the whole truth, with all the caveats and consequentials. Getting relevant reaction adds to that challenge. Then, particularly in television, the issue arises of how to tell the story. A recorded package? Live? Do you have enough pictures? Enough interviewees? All the story? Mostly, the challenge is logistics. Getting the photographs and the interviewees. And getting them in time. The best story in the world is useless if you miss your deadline.

Before joining the BBC, you worked as a Lobby Correspondent in Westminster, which must have been truly fascinating. What would you say is the most interesting political news that you covered during your time in this role? I was in Westminster for six years, from 1980. So, I covered the first half of Mrs Thatcher’s Premiership. I covered the industrial disputes which attended that – and the economic arguments within her own Cabinet. I even covered the Falklands War, albeit from the safety of Whitehall briefings. Plus, of course, the 1983 election. A remarkable period in politics. Everyone needs some down time from busy work schedules and commitments. Do you have any hobbies or activities that you take part in to relax? Nurturing my family is my first concern, at all times. My early love for literature still persists, as does a passion for theatre; from opera to pantomime. I sometimes display my knowledge of crude, demotic speech on the golf course. And I remain a fanatical supporter of Dundee United Football Club. Most of my family were adherents of another city club. Played in Dark Blue, I believe. Not sure what happened to them.

You recently announced your retirement from the BBC. Do you have any exciting plans for your retirement? Can’t promise excitement. However, I shall either write the great Scottish novel or take up cross-channel swimming. I’ll get back to you.

You now live in Glasgow, but what do you miss most about life in Dundee? Could you ever see yourself moving back to The City of Discovery? I return regularly to Dundee – and not solely to the environs of Tannadice. I firmly believe that Dundee is on the up. My earliest memories are of a prosperous city centre, with posh shops. Cairds, G.L. Wilson. I was too afraid to go into Draffens, decidedly overawed. OK, the town went through a bad spell. But I detect a new atmosphere; a collective, palpable determination to do things better, to thrive, to shrug off the recent past. The V&A is the most evident symbol of that, and I heartily applaud its work. However, I believe that there is a new mood abroad in Dundee. Which will, of course, be enhanced when United win the Champions League. Let’s hope we beat Roma in the final! (Not that I’m bitter.) What words of wisdom would you offer to anyone considering pursuing a career within the Journalism sector? Remember it is journalism. Not show business. In an interview, think what you can offer the employer: they already know what they can do for you. And write, write, write. Get published somehow. Online, wherever. Build a portfolio of your work to show to editors.

Remember too that journalism is a wee bit different from other trades. Without being too pompous, it’s something of a calling. Don’t say you want to be a journalist – or maybe a steeplejack. When I was interviewed for the P&J, the editor asked the classic trick question: “What will you do if you can’t be a journalist?” Without hesitation, I said: “I’ll be in touch with Dundee Harbour Board.” Cue a puzzled look. I continued: “I’ll jump in the docks!” Got the job on the spot.

What would you say are the two best things about the High School of Dundee and what would you say to any families considering enrolling with us? Absolutely not up to me to advise folks what to do. Their call. However, I admire the feeling of friendship and community which the School fosters. Plus, I like the sense of history: William Wallace and all that, (even though I was in Aystree House.) An appreciation of the past added to a determination that things will be better in the future.

Scott Brothers Supporting Students Self-Isolating in Dundee

When Scott Brothers heard that hundreds of students living in halls of residence across the city had been ordered to self-isolate in October, we immediately knew that we wanted to help in any way that we possibly could. Being a locally based, family-run business for over 80 years now, we are deeply rooted in our community and so it was natural that we would act to be supportive to those choosing to live, work and study in the city.

We had recently supported Dundee’s Champions Awards, sponsoring the Business Champion category. This particular category aimed to acknowledge local firms that have gone above and beyond to help vulnerable people in our communities, and so we were inspired to react similarly to help the people of the city through this troubled time. It was decided that we would deliver more than 200 food parcels containing freshly prepared microwavable ready meals to halls of residence across the city where students were self-isolating. We could more than understand the students' frustrations at being cooped up in student accommodation and being unable to have immediate access to locally sourced, fresh and tasty food. To make things a little bit easier for them, we wanted to provide free ready meals that can be heated up in the microwave. Convenience food, but with real quality, great-tasting ingredients. Each meal was individually portioned for easy heating and storage – ideal for student living. Our ready meal range is a popular choice with our customers, both in-store and on our online shop, so we knew that they would go down well with the students too.

It has, of course, been an incredibly tough time for many businesses and we have been very thankful for how our new and loyal customers have supported us and our local suppliers through these tough times. It’s important for us that we continue to provide a high level of service to our community, even against the most difficult of backdrops.

Scott Jarron, Class of 1985 Owner of Scott Brothers Butchers

Former Pupil Patrick McGregor (Class of 2009) recently moved to Sydney, Australia, where he now works in the same team as another High School FP! After leaving the High School in 2009, Patrick studied Law at the London School of Economics and the College of Law. He then went on to join the magic circle law firm, Linklaters. After ten years in London, Patrick took his love for travelling one step further and in January moved across the ocean to Sydney, Australia. He now works as a Senior Associate in the same team as Lauren Chamberlain (née Pringle), who was in the same class as Patrick at school.

What led you into law and to making the move to Sydney? I moved down to London for university immediately after leaving the High School and used to walk through the Inns of Court and the City of London on the way to lectures. I was attracted to the buzz of the world of law and finance and that led me to join a law firm in the City – Linklaters - where I was lucky enough to spend time working in the firm's offices in London and the United Arab Emirates. After completing my two-year training contract, I qualified as a lawyer and joined the corporate group within the firm where I worked on lots of big and exciting transactions covering every part of the globe, including as a secondee at Morgan Stanley, the investment bank. I've always thought that travelling far and often is hugely beneficial in so many ways, and so the opportunity to move from London to a new and exciting city was very appealing. My fiancé is also Australian, so that helped, and we thought that we could do with a wee bit more sun!

What does your role with Allens involve? I work in the Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Markets team at Allens, which is the Australian sister firm of Linklaters. We advise on the big public takeovers of listed companies that make the newspaper headlines, as well as the private ones that typically don't. We also advise on big infrastructure projects and raising money in the capital markets. We are brought in to solve the legal and commercial problems involved in putting together, negotiating, and closing those transactions. Think Suits, except much less glamour and imagine all the events of one episode stretched out across six months!

What has life been like in Australia this year? Setting up a new life in a new country between bushfires and a pandemic hasn't exactly been a typical transition, but the dramatic shift out of office life earlier in the year has allowed me to enjoy some of the amazing outdoor opportunities on offer here in Australia. Surfing (very badly) before work as a corporate lawyer certainly isn't something that I ever imagined might be possible, but it is! The international border is firmly shut but the country has been remarkably lucky and has escaped most of the health crisis. That has meant that we've had the chance to explore some of Australia, which has been great. Next on the list is Tasmania, which I'm told looks remarkably similar to home!

What are some of your High School memories? It really doesn't feel like all that long ago that I left. I remember spending a lot of time running between the Margaret Harris Building and Mayfield with all my kit and bags (looking like Dick van Dyke with his drumkit etc. in Mary Poppins) as I attempted to juggle my time between rugby and playing in the school orchestra and bands! I also remember Mr. Wilson's (former head of history) Oscar-worthy pep talks. They were an intended kick up the bum to get us to focus on our upcoming exams, but I think they really stuck with a lot of us. We also used to have a real laugh in Mr. Fyall's classes, although I'm not sure how he coped with us. And I've probably got to blame Mr. McCulloch (former head of economics), at least in part, for pursuing a career in the City (a path that a number of us in the class ended up taking).