A Dundee-born lawyer who became synonymous with Edinburgh has left a £26 million fortune in his will.
Ivor Guild died in January at the age of 90 after a celebrated career and a life in the capital that saw him dubbed the “Duke of Princes Street”.
The bachelor lived frugally, having few possessions and no car, but spent 57 years living in The New Club, a private members’ club on the historic street.
Now, his will has revealed that he had an estate worth £26,020,030 at the time of his death.
It is understood that small gifts of £3,000 each were left for his 11 godchildren, while the remainder of his wealth was split between a niece and two nephews who live overseas.
Guild was born in Dundee to Colonel Arthur Guild a decorated soldier, stockbroker and significant figure in the city’s Jute industry and Phyllis Cox, who was a relation of the DC Thomson family.
He had a long career as a solicitor with the firm of Shepherd and Wedderburn in Edinburgh and was a dedicated supporter of many causes.
They included Dundee University, whose burgeoning bioscience departments he gave generously to, the National Museums and the Scottish Episcopal Church.
In Edinburgh, he was well-known to residents, where he could be seen walking on Princes Street most days in his trademark hat and raincoat, irrespective of the weather.
Guild took up residence in the New Club, apparently on the urging of its secretary who thought permanent residents would “give it life”.
He never left, spending the next 57 years living in a suite at the club where Sir Sean Connery is said to stay when he visits Edinburgh rather than buy his own property.
The unassuming millionaire is said to have liked his room and its central location, offering views of Edinburgh Castle and city events.
In addition to his legal career, Guild was a prominent member of the business community and a sought after trustee for many trusts.
He also served on Government committees and was a keen genealogist, helping to found the Scottish Genealogy Society in 1953.
His achievements saw him appointed a CBE in 1985 and a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1990, such had been his support of the sciences.