Warm and “heartfelt” tributes were paid to Sheriff Richard Davidson at a ceremony to mark his departure after 20 years on the bench at Dundee Sheriff Court.
City dignitaries, sheriffs past and present, lawyers, Crown Office staff, police officers, Dundee City Council staff and sheriff clerk and court staff packed into courtroom number one for Friday’s event.
Master of ceremonies Sheriff George Way, who organised the event, opened proceedings by saying: “This is a very strange and sad occasion as of course he is not retiring, he is continuing at Fort William and Portree.”
He thanked his colleague for all the help and guidance he had received since coming to Dundee himself and introduced the speakers including former Dundee sheriff Frank Crowe, who spoke on behalf of past and present sheriffs.
The other speakers included the principal procurator fiscal Christopher McIntosh, who thanked Sheriff Davidson for his 20 years’ service on behalf of the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service in Dundee, and solicitor Billy Boyle.
In what was a light-hearted and humorous ceremony, Sheriff Crowe praised his brother sheriff for his help, support and friendship during his time at Dundee and wished him all the best for the future.
He said that, in particular, sheriffs Alastair Stewart, Jim Scott and Ian Dunbar who all previously sat on the bench with Sheriff Davidson appreciated his good humour, kind support and gentle barracking, and added that he was “always there and available to offer his advice”.
Mr Boyle was warm in his praise for the sheriff, stressing that the common feeling among the local bar was that he will be badly missed by everyone.
He paid special tribute to his fairness, intelligence, courage and tenacity, and said he had made a massive contribution to his adopted city.
Accepting a painting of Panmure Street by Dundee artist Joe McIntyre from his fellow sheriffs, Sheriff Davidson said he knew it was the right time to go and was leaving with many great memories.
He said: “The only regret I have is that I am leaving this great city at a time when it is on the brink of huge strides forward.”
Reflecting on his time in Dundee since first sitting on the bench in April 1994, he said the city was still reeling from the bitter Timex dispute.
Describing it as “one of the most cynical pieces of industrial sabotage in history”, he said Dundee had suffered an undeserved battering in the media at that time but could now boast world-class research in biomedical sciences at Dundee University and Ninewells, and Abertay’s market-leading games design and production.
He praised the efforts of countless people in the city council, including former lord provosts Mervyn Rolfe and in particular John Letford and Helen Wright, whom he also lauded for the “extraordinary” amount of effort and time she has put into her social work duties.
The sheriff also thanked the police, fire service, social work department, mental health services, NHS Tayside, members of the legal profession and court staff, and ended by saying: “I wish you all and the city of Dundee the very greatest success in the future.”
Among those also present were Lord Provost Bob Duncan, Mr Letford and Mr Rolfe, the Rev Canon Dr Joe Morrow and Chief Superintendent Hamish MacPherson.