Dewar: A man of the people

Donald Dewar electioneering in his constituency

The late Donald Dewar was remembered as fondly by his constituents in Glasgow as he was by UK political leaders and royalty.

He entered parliament in the mid-1960s as MP for Aberdeen South, but the bulk of his Westminster career was as member for Glasgow Anniesland, formerly Garscadden.

On Wednesday the ordinary public put on record what Mr Dewar meant to them as their parliamentary representative in London and in Edinburgh.

Although he had huge responsibilities as First Minister of Scotland he appeared always to have time for the people who had voted him into power.

Donald Dewar held regular surgeries

One constituent said "he was known as Donald to everyone, you never addressed him as Mr Dewar".

Another commented that he "was there for the people - you could always go and see him at his surgery".

Mr Dewar was a regular face at his local Safeway supermarket where he would do his weekly shop and pop in to the cafe for a cup of coffee.

Manager Bob McMillan said: "He was a very, very pleasant man - staff and colleagues in the store thought 'here comes Donald Dewar', but he was never overpowering - he was a very gentle man."

Prayers for Dewar family

At nearby St Ninian's Church in Knightswood, Glasgow, Fr David Brown led prayers for Mr Dewar and his family.

He said: "He united people from a variety of political persuasions, he represented well all of his constituents."

Bob McMillan: "Always pleasant"

It will not just be his colleagues and constituents in the world of politics who will miss the larger-than-life Mr Dewar.

There was a great sadness on Wednesday at his local curry house, Cafe India in the west end of Glasgow.

Owner Abdul Sattar said: "I found him to be a very pleasant man, a down to earth person.

"And when I heard about his death I was saddened - it brought tears to my eyes.

"I was very sorry to see him go."

Minister Ian McInnes of Blawarthill Church, where Mr Dewar had been due to read the scriptures at the forthcoming remembrance service, said he would be hard to replace.

'Genuinely interested'

"He was very much part of the community, even when he took up the post of first minister.

"I would say that Donald lived for his constituency and for the members of it, and also of course for his country," he said.

"He was genuinely interested in everything that happened, from judging gardening competitions and presenting prizes at them to attending public gatherings.

"He was interested in the Garscadden Housing Co-operative, he would go along to community centres - particularly at Knightswood and Drumchapel - and he was well known.

"Such a hole has been left that I can't imagine it being filled."