Tributes after death of Labour and Hearts legend Pilmar Smith

A former chairman of Lothian Buses and former chairman of East Lothian Constituency Labour Party, Mr Smith was described by East Lothian MSP Iain Gray as “a great public servant”.

He said: “This is terribly sad news.

“I have known Pilmar as long as I have been in the Labour Party – all my adult life.

“He was a great public servant, serving as chairman of Lothian Buses for 12 years, helping deliver some of the best public transport anywhere in the UK.

“He was, of course, also a well-known Hearts fan and former club vice-chairman.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone in East Lothian Labour Party and in his adopted home of North Berwick where he knew everyone.”

Mr Gray’s Labour party colleague, East Lothian MP Martin Whitfield, added: “Pilmar will be mourned by all of the many friends he had across East Lothian, Edinburgh and beyond.

“He came from humble origins and throughout his life he was strongly committed to Labour values and improving the lives of working people. He had a quite remarkable life and will be missed by all who knew him.”

Mr Smith, a time-served electrician, was raised in Edinburgh and spent several decades as a bookmaker.

A Hearts fan all his life, he became vice-chairman of the Edinburgh club in 1982, holding the position for 12 years before stepping down following a change of ownership.

Ann Budge, chairman and chief executive of the Tynecastle club, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of my involvement in Hearts has been the opportunity it has presented for me to meet some of the major legends associated with this great club, whether players, managers, ordinary supporters or former directors.

“Pilmar was one such legend and one I came to know and to hugely respect.

“It was a privilege to meet such a genuine, caring man, who only ever wanted to do what was best for our club.

“I will miss his sage advice and unwavering support.

“It was an honour and a pleasure to know him.”

A staunch Unionist and Labour supporter, Mr Smith was chairman of East Lothian Constituency Labour Party until about 2006 and spent more than a decade as chairman of Lothian Buses.

Richard Hall, Lothian’s managing director, said: “Pilmar was a hugely respected and much-loved former chair of Lothian.

“He will be remembered for his immense passion, commitment and strong leadership during his time at the company, steering it through a period of ongoing growth and development.

“He will be sorely missed by all in the organisation and our thoughts are with his family and many friends during this difficult time.”

North Berwick Coastal ward member Councillor Jim Goodfellow said: “Walking down North Berwick High Street with Pilmar was always a memorable experience.

“Every second person, young or old, appeared to know him and would stop to chat whether about football, the Labour Party, how the buses had improved or to ask for his support in some problem they were experiencing.

“Pilmar was always generous with his time and his passing will be missed by many in the North Berwick community and I personally owe him a debt of gratitude for his support in getting me elected as the first-ever Labour councillor for this area.”

Conservative councillor Brian Small, Haddington and Lammermuir ward, added: “I was very saddened to hear of Pilmar’s passing from us.

“There was nothing better for me when I entered the lounge at Archerfield Golf Club than to see Pilmar sitting there having a coffee and reading his paper.

“He was always interested in how my son’s university studies were going and, of course, we always talked at length about our beloved Jambos.

“We had different political colours but that never, ever mattered as it was always about people and not politics to us both. Life is a journey and I have been honoured, privileged and blessed to have spent some of it with my dear friend Pilmar. Like his family and very many friends, I will miss him terribly and we all now have Pilmar-sized holes in our lives and hearts that will never be filled.”