Magic Prof

Said goodbye to a remarkable man yesterday, at the most extraordinary funeral. John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, wore his achievements lightly - and there were many, not least a flair for magic. Complementing his undiminished thirst for knowledge was his openness to the existence of a Creator. Lifelong friends and academic colleagues paid tribute in words, while his children, Lorna and Stuart, paid theirs in music - jazz music to be precise. The Browns' local minister, Rev Dr Stewart Gillan, preached a skilfully crafted homily while Rev Roddie Rankin, with whom John enjoyed an on-going dialogue over curry, led the prayers. John's widow, Margaret, was the epitome of composure throughout and she needed to be, with three times as many guests

as expected to cater for!