WALTER ELLIOT was a scion of the Scottish Border Elliot Clan, many of whom were prominent in the turbulent times of border warfare before the

union of Scotland and England, and after the union many rose to high distinction in Imperial affairs as soldiers or diplomats. One Earl Minto was Viceroy of India and another Governor-General of Canada. Walter inherited the characteristics of his clan being distinguished as a soldier and reaching the highest level in politics. He had a powerful physique, with great physical and mental energy. His physical energy he worked off by walking and on every opportunity by swimming; his mental energy by reading science, philosophy, history, politics and indeed all kinds of literature, and by discussions with his wide circle of political, scientific and literary friends. He was an omnivorous reader. When travelling his luggage was weighed down with books. His extraordinary range of knowledge, his vivid imagination, his wide and facile expression enabled him to take a lively and leading part in discussions on almost any subject except sport and athletic games, in which he had little interest. His contributions to discussions which he enjoyed had original ideas on which he sometimes gave his lively imagination full play. One may recall an incident which illustrates the restless physical and mental energy of the man. One bleak November day when he and the writer had nearly finished a long walk along the banks of the river Clyde which was in flood, he stopped, stripped and dived into the raging torrent, was carried about 50 yards down stream, clambered up the opposite bank, ran about 100 yards up stream, dived in again coming out near where he had started, and while drying himself with his shirt, resumed the discussion on the need for research on the inevitable social changes due to the aeroplane, the radio and other developments of modern science. He lived to the full an intellectual life which to the great grief of his many friends was suddenly cut off while he still enjoyed undiminished physical and mental vigour. His father, William Elliot, was a man of substance. In addition to owning the Estate of Harwood in the Borders, he was Manager with a controlling interest in the well-known Cattle Mart of Lawrie & Symington in Lanark. He was an outstanding figure in Scottish agriculture, highly respected for his ability and integrity. Walter's mother died when he was an infant, and he and a brother, who was killed in the 1914-18 war, and a sister, who married

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