Warm tributes have been paid to former Perth and Kinross Council director of planning and development Denis Munro, who has died at the age of 81.
His funeral takes place at St John’s Kirk in the heart of his beloved Fair City on Monday June 2 at 1pm.
Born and bred in Perth, Denis recently followed up his 2001 book “A Vision for Perth” with a history of the steamies, or washhouses, which once played an integral role in the lives of working-class families.
He recalled fondly boyhood hours whiled away trainspotting at Friarton, fishing for eels at the harbour – where his father David worked for the Dundee, Perth and London Shipping Company – and helping mother Nan at the public washhouse in Canal Street.
Following several years south of the border Denis embarked on his career as a trainee town planner with Fife County Council in 1961 after leaving Bell-Baxter High School in Cupar.
He joined Perth Town Council four years later as an assistant planning officer.
He was recognised by the Town Planning Institute for gaining the top marks in Scotland in their intermediate exams.
Denis remained with the local authority, in its various guises, until taking early retirement in 2003 from the director’s role he had held since 1984.
Denis Munro controversially advocated demolition of Perth City Hall
His love of his native city was reflected in “A Vision for Perth” – published while he was planning director – which lamented the loss of various historic buildings in the name of modernism.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Denis advocated demolishing most of Perth City Hall – now the Perth Museum hosting the Stone of Destiny – in favour of creating a civic square, retaining only the King Edward Street building’s facade.
He firmly believed that would benefit the city and better showcase St John’s Kirk, the oldest building in Perth. However, the demolition proposal was rejected in favour of being repurposed.
Denis helped pave the way to Perth’s Cafe Quarter and in retirement became “part of the family” at Willows, where his morning routine included catching up with the news over a coffee.
Architecture, culture and art were lifelong passions, often combined with a love of travel and, latterly, cruises.
His last foreign holiday took Denis to admire the Austro-Hungarian legacy of Vienna and Budapest.
Denis Munro’s love of architecture and history reflected in Perth ‘Steamies’ book
He had recently completed “The Perth Steamies: The Story of the Fair City’s Public Washhouses (1846-1976),” published by Tippermuir Books.
Tippermuir director Dr Paul Philippou said: “I was familiar with ‘A Vision for Perth.’ It is a book that combines architecture and history with the author’s strong opinions on Perth’s architectural direction.
“As director of planning, Denis was certainly in a position to offer his thoughts on the subject.
“Twenty-three years later, in 2024, I was intrigued to be contacted by Denis, regarding a new book he had in mind on the long-gone Perth Steamies.
“Working with him on the book was a delight.
“It is a pity that Denis did not live to see the book – he died a few days before it was delivered by the printer – and did not have the opportunity to enjoy a book launch.
“The book’s subject, however, is a popular one, and Denis’s words will no doubt be debated, repeated and read for many decades to come.
“A great dog lover, Denis had directed that all his royalties from the book be given to Perthshire Abandoned Dog Society.”
Tribute from Geoff Brown of GS Brown Construction
Local housebuilder and honorary president of St Johnstone, Geoff Brown, chairman of GS Brown Construction, knew Denis for decades.
He said: “In his days as director of planning, Denis was prepared to meet developers large and small to discuss proposals which would have a bearing on Perth and Kinross and the quality of life of its citizens.
“We might not always have agreed when it came to development and the best way forward, but Denis was always prepared to meet with developers and listen to what was being suggested.
“I knew Denis long before he became the director of planning, and when he retired from the council, I knew his in-depth knowledge of the planning process would prove a huge asset in his role as a consultant with GS Brown Construction.
“As a local man, Denis had a deep and abiding affection for the city and the wider area, and his death will have come as a shock to his many friends.”
Influential role as planner for Cairngorms National Park Authority
After taking early retirement, Denis also went on to play an interim but influential role as planner for the embryonic Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Gavin Miles, director of planning and place, said: “Denis was a lovely chap.
“He’d obviously had a long career by the time he joined us.
“Denis said he had started as a tea boy at Perth City in the distant past, but you could never quite tell whether his tales were true or embellished – he was a fabulous storyteller!
“He was very relaxed in his approach to setting up the planning service at the Park Authority and he was very good at helping us to think through the issues we encountered and in supporting us.
“Denis was good at getting the best out of us. He had a wicked sense of humour that could make you cry with laughter and his tales of council politics, and his planning career, would have made a great comedy series! We all loved him.”
Denis, who was divorced from his late wife Kate, is survived by his sister Dorothy and niece Kareen.
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