TRIBUTES were pouring in last night to Scottish writer and broadcasting personality Cliff Hanley, who died yesterday aged 76.

The prolific journalist, novelist, and songwriter nicknamed ''Wee Cliff'' was well-known for his sharp observations on Scottish life.

Born and raised in Glasgow's East End, he was the man who put lyrics to an old Highland pipe tune, resulting in that ''other'' national anthem Scotland the Brave. He had been asked by the late Robert Wilson, the Scottish tenor, to write the words.

Hanley was familiar as a television personality as well as for his books on Glasgow life and his colourful newspaper articles.

His last three years were spent in a nursing-home in Glasgow's Knightswood. He leaves a son Clifford, 50, and daughters Jane, 48, and Joanna, 41.

His wife Anna died in 1990.

Last night, his daughter Jane, a stage manager, said that her mother ''died very suddenly of heart failure and my dad seemed to lose his spirit after that.

''They were married for 42 years and as close as a couple could be.''

She added: ''Our childhood was eventful to say the least. My dad didn't have a nine to five job like everyone else.

''I remember being jealous when my brother got to meet the cowboy star Roy Rogers, and when I was about four being cuddled by American singer Howard Keel.

''We were always at the theatre and meeting famous people but to us it was just normal life. My father was a unique character and will be missed by many.''

Writer and broadcaster Jimmy Reid described Hanley as a warm-hearted, ebullient man with a passion for music.

''He was a self-educated working class man, well read, with a love for books and, especially, jazz music. Nothing ever seemed to get him down, he was great company.''

Actress and comedienne Una McLean recalled a ''wee man with a big heart''.

She said: ''I got to know Cliff and Anna well. I remember him joking to me me about their honeymoon, heading to somewhere in Argyll side by side on a freezing bus.''

Actor Russell Hunter said: ''It is so sad that another of Glasgow's great characters has gone. I remember Cliff as a man who would joke about his small stature to get a laugh. He was wonderful company who liked nothing better than a drink with friends.''

Comedian Rikki Fulton said: ''Losing Cliff is a blow to Scottish culture. He was an incredibly funny, interesting man who was immediately likeable. I remember how delighted he was when his first book Dancing in the Streets was published.''

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