Robert Curran, former Provost of Alva and prominent Nationalist, born

September 14, 1923, died September 28, 1995

THE influence on the Scottish National Party of lifelong supporter

Robert Curran was generally regarded as immense, reaching down through

the generations. In addition, he once held the distinction of being

Scotland's youngest Provost.

Mr Curran, who lived at Kirk Court, Tillicoultry, was a native of

Alva, emigrating with his family to Canada as a boy and spending much of

his childhood there.

He returned in time for secondary schooling, however, attending Alva

Academy.

Robert Curran lived and breathed the nationalist cause, and it was

said that his approach to his country was typical of someone who had

spent time beyond its shores.

His involvement with the SNP dated back to the early 1940s, when he

stood unsuccessfully but creditably for Parliament in the old Stirling

burghs constituency.

At the age of 21 he was elected a member of Alva Burgh Council on the

SNP ticket, and at the age of 25 became the youngest Provost in

Scotland.

He was national secretary of the SNP between 1951 and 1953, and became

convener of the party's organising committee between 1953 and 1954.

He also formed the National League for Young Scots, taking a party to

Dublin in 1953, ostensibly to play football but contriving to use the

visit to meet and talk with the Irish patriot, Prime Minister, and later

President, Eamon De Valera.

He then left Scotland again, crossing the Atlantic -- this time of his

own volition -- to spend some time in America, returning in 1974 just in

time to see George Reid win the parliamentary seat of Clackmannan for

the SNP.

In 1980 he was elected to Clackmannan District Council, and served for

four years. The funeral took place on Tuesday at Tillicoultry Parish

Church.

A bachelor, Robert Curran is survived by a brother George and niece

Anne, who both live in Clackmannanshire, and a nephew Robert who is

serving in the American Air Force.