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Jim Dickie and Kate Pryde reflect on the life of an important figure in Scottish social work - Ian Gilmour.

The Association of Directors of Social Work lost one of its most distinguished members and past presidents with the death of Ian Gilmour on 19 December at the age of 57.

Ian had been an outstanding figure in Scottish social work, having established a major reputation in the field of children and family policy and services in a career that spanned the period between the Kilbrandon Report in the 1960s and the present day. When he retired in 1999 he was acting director of social work in Glasgow Council, the new single tier authority set up by the reorganisation of local government in 1996.

Ian's career had started as a trainee social worker in Stirling Council in 1962, moving through Clackmannan where he was assistant director, then to Falkirk as depute and lately as acting director. It was while with Central Regional Council, to which he moved in 1975 after local government reorganisation as chief assistant director, that he achieved prominence on the national scene. During his time in Strathclyde Region as divisional director and latterly as depute director for child care, Ian became heavily involved in the Association of Directors of Social Work, which he served with distinction as secretary and then as president.

Ian combined great professional and personal integrity with a very strong commitment to the interests of social work clients. His style reflected an uncompromising commitment to the importance of detail, and those with whom he worked quickly learned to understand this element of his approach.

Ian's last two years were beset by ill-health. He contracted oesophageal cancer and fought it with the character and commitment which we had come to expect of him. Even while he was pursuing his own struggle with the illness, he found time to campaign on behalf of those who suffered from this form of the disease, and also to contribute to the work of voluntary organisations in the city, including service in key housing.

No account of Ian's life and achievements would be complete without acknowledging his interest in music, and membership of the band the Moonbeats throughout his youth. His musical skills and enthusiasm were frequently evident in a range of events.

It is particularly tragic that Ian's retirement was blighted by ill-health and hospitalisation. His death denies social work in Scotland and the ADSW, the counsel and contribution of a highly respected and accomplished professional. His funeral on 28 December reflected the respect in which he was held among former colleagues and friends, and provided an opportunity for his life to be celebrated.

Ian is survived by his wife Ann, and his daughter Melissa.CC

- Ian Gilmour, former acting director of social work, Glasgow Council and president of ADSW 1992; Born 12 February 1944 Died 19 December 2001.

Jim Dickie is director of social work at North Lanarkshire and president of the ADSW.

Some years ago, when Ian was a deputy director in the former Strathclyde Regional Council, some staff discovered that Ian had played in a band. A photograph from a newspaper had been found and there was Ian looking like a band member from the late 1960s. This came as a shock to many, who had a very different image of their senior manager! There was some disbelief but I could confirm that I had seen the band perform.

Ian and I first became colleagues when I joined Clackmannan social work department in 1973 as a main grade worker. Kay Richards, the first director of Clackmannanshire, had appointed Ian as one of her senior managers to take on the child care agenda. She welcomed "his freshness and commitment, initiative and enthusiasm as well as maturity and understanding". Kay further said that "Ian's contribution to Clackmannanshire cannot be over-emphasised. Brothers and sisters were re-united, families involved in decision-making, the adoption service was radically upgraded and the children's hearing system worked well".

Ian Ross was director when I joined the department. We were optimistic, had sound professional standards and did feel that we could "promote social welfare". We worked hard, but also knew how to enjoy ourselves. Parties, some pre-arranged, some impromptu were the norm to which Ian always came with his guitar. Ian and I both moved on to Central Regional Council after local government reorganisation in 1975, then later were colleagues in Strathclyde. Ian's period of office as president of ADSW overlapped with my being chairperson of BASW. I was delighted when he attended "my" conference in Inverness.

I last saw Ian in September 2001 when he arrived unannounced at my office. He knew that he was approaching a critical period in his prognosis, but was being positive. He was concerned, still, about social work and its future and we had the last, of many discussions about a shared concern. CC

Kate Pryde is head of service (adult provision), Falkirk Council.