It was a crisp and frosty morning in Crathes on Tuesday, as scores of people crowded into Baldarroch Crematorium to remember Allan Angus.
The 89-year-old had been a stalwart since his beginnings with SNP since 1967, winning the friendship of many in the independence movement as a “one of a kind”.
Among those who “mobbed” the Aberdeenshire crematorium was Nicola Sturgeon, his party leader for the last eight years.
But the two had been close long before her premiership.
On Ms Sturgeon’s first night in Bute House, Mr Angus was one of the select few friends and family invited to the first minster’s official Edinburgh residence.
It was a friendship founded on engaging conversation with a “wonderful man”, who she is understood to have got to know while her husband worked in the north-east.
Others fondly remember Mr Angus as a mentor, as well a “dancing extraordinaire”.
“A few dances probably sealed their friendship as well,” The P&J was told.
Funeral of Aberdeen SNP stalwart convinced Nicola Sturgeon on resignation
And it was there at the funeral of her “very, very dear friend” at Baldarroch, surrounded by more than 100 mourners, that the first minister finally decided to resign.
Ms Sturgeon: “It was actually during the funeral service that I went from being 99% certain about this decision to 100% certain.
“His funeral reminded me that the case of independence is so much bigger than any one individual. That all of us who believe in it contribute in different ways at different stages of our lives.
“Since I was 16, I have contributed as an activist, campaigner and a leader.
“So now, as we look towards what I firmly believe is the final stage in Scotland’s journey to independence – albeit a hard one, I hope to use all the experience and perspective I have gathered over these years to help get us there.”
So sad that this @theSNP legend and my dear friend – one of my favourite people in the world – has left us. Allan Angus lit up every room and always made me smile. Despite his frailty, he was determined to be at our conference last year & I’m so glad he made it. I’ll miss him 💛 https://t.co/HdAhufFweA pic.twitter.com/QFWQFljUIs
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 4, 2023
Looking to the sky, the first minister added Mr Angus “would not be at all happy to have played any part in my departure, so I’m sorry, Allan.”
Kevin Stewart, Ms Sturgeon’s mental health and social care minister, agreed Mr Angus would be “very sad” at the news.
“But being Allan Angus, he would understand why,” the Aberdeen Central MSP added.
“Being Allan Angus, he would very much understand that there comes a time when people have to put themselves first and that’s what the first minister has done.”
‘Immensely emotional’ Aberdeenshire funeral that convinced Nicola Sturgeon on her resignation
Like Ms Sturgeon, Mr Stewart shared many years of friendship with Mr Angus – who stood for, but never won, an election in Aberdeen.
The retired bank manager served as convener of the Bridge of Don and Aberdeen North (now Aberdeen Donside) SNP branches.
Teary-eyed, Mr Stewart told The P&J: “Allan was a mentor to many and immensely well-loved.
“He and the first minister had a bond. He loved her and that love was reciprocated.
“There was a huge number of people at his funeral. It was immensely emotional because Allan was loved by many, many people.
“Although he himself never achieved office, the reality quite simply is, if it weren’t for folk like Allan Angus many of us would never have done so either.
“The SNP would never have gained the success it has if it weren’t for people like him.
“Let’s be honest, we are standing on the shoulders of giants. He wasn’t particularly tall in stature but he was a giant.
“He was a man with no airs and graces. Allan probably didn’t realise how influential he was on folk like myself.”
Standing on the shoulders of giants: Allan Angus helped others achieve the high office which eluded him
Others owing a debt to Mr Angus’ stewardship, Mr Stewart claims, include Aberdeen Donside MSP Jackie Dunbar, the late Brian Adam who previously held her seat, and Na h-Eileanan an Iar MSP Alasdair Allan.
As well as mentorship, Mr Angus offered those around him a “whale of a time” as a passionate ceilidh dancer – though he could “turn a dance to anything”.
“It is very rare in this life that you don’t hear a bad word about someone,” Mr Stewart said.
“But I honestly can say never heard a bad word said about Allan Angus, which I couldn’t say about almost anyone else in my life.”
As Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation after 18 years as leader or deputy leader of her party, she revealed she “lives in hope” that the fiery public discourse in Scotland can “depolarise just a bit”.
The first minister’s last months have been dominated by debate around gender recognition reform, fiercely protested change equally fiercely campaigned for.
Perhaps, at the beginning of the end of her time at fore, Ms Sturgeon is channelling Allan Angus as she heads to the backbenches.
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