The Burry Man’s Day

Acknowledgements

For invaluable help with historical detail I would like to thank: Jimmie Boner, Ranald Mackay, Sheena Mackay, Lyla Martin, Len Saunders, Jimmy Walker and the other members of the Queensferry History Group; Robin Chesters and Carol McDonald of the Almond Valley Heritage Centre; Nancy Balfour, Jim Hogg, Ann Morrison and the rest of the staff at the Edinburgh Room of the City Library; Jeff Balfour at Kirkliston Library; and Jim McPherson for patient recall of details of the old Ferry. Thanks too to Nancy Johnson for her Queensferry memories.

I would like to thank Lisa Moylett and Nathalie Sfakianos at the agency for wrapping up such professionalism in so much warmth and wit. I am greatly indebted to The Trinity: editor Krystyna Green, copy editor Imogen Olsen, and jacket designer Ken Leeder who remove howlers and add elegance. Thanks too to all the Constable staff, especially Bruce Connal and Haydn Jones.

Thanks again to Cathy Gilligan, ideal first reader.

I am grateful, as ever, to my parents Jim and Jean McPherson, and the rest of my family (here goes), Amy, Audrey, Callum, Claire, Fraser, Greig, Harris, Iain, Lewis, Mathew, Megan, Ross, Sheila, Tom and Wendy for many different kinds of enthusiasm from detailed critique to drooling on my shoulder.

Finally, to Neil McRoberts for financial backing, website management, editorial advice, advanced listening and ballroom dancing – endless thanks.