TRIBUTES have poured in after former East Lothian headteacher David Allan passed away at the age of 87.

Headteacher of Preston Lodge High School from 1970 to 1996, he made a major contribution to the life of the school and the community it serves.

Mr Allan, described as Preston Lodge “through and through”, has been fondly remembered by current and former staff, as well as former students and their families.

Born in 1935, David attended Preston Lodge High School himself, excelling in sport; he became captain of the senior rugby team before also becoming captain of the cricket team.

He also enjoyed a successful athletics career during his years at school, and was house captain of Grange.

Mr Allan studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh before training as a teacher at Moray House, saying at the time: “For me there was never any choice. It had always been my ambition to teach.”

Following five years at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh, Mr Allan returned to Preston Lodge as head of science.

It wasn’t long before he had climbed the ranks, and he was appointed headteacher in 1970.

He said then: “I am tremendously excited, but a little frightened when I think that I have achieved the actual job of running the school involving teachers who taught me.”

Throughout Mr Allan’s 26 years in the role, many positive changes were introduced and the headteacher gained a strong reputation within and beyond the community, with his enthusiasm “bringing the best out of a whole generation of students”.

A minute’s applause was held for Mr Allan at a recent Preston Lodge RFC game.

A spokesperson said: “We were saddened to hear of the passing of our former president, Mr David Allan, last week – a man who gave so much to PLRFC.

“Thank you all for joining our minute of applause at Saturday’s 1st XV fixture at the Pennypit. Our sincere condolences to the Allan family.”

Current Preston Lodge headteacher Gavin Clark thanked Mr Allan for all his contributions to the school.

Mr Clark said: “David Allan was a stalwart of the Prestonpans community and a PLer through and through. He will be hugely missed.

“As Preston Lodge’s headteacher, he shaped and developed a school culture which everyone still benefits from.

“David was a man of clear views and high standards, but was also a man of great personality and humanity. His care for the staff, students and families he worked with made PL what it is today.”

Mr Clark went on to explain that, beyond his time at Preston Lodge, Mr Allan stayed connected to the school, adding: “I was lucky to be able to learn from his insight and wisdom about our community and about PL’s proud past. His legacy lives on at PL, for sure, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

“Thank you, David, for everything that you did for Preston Lodge and everyone connected to our school.”

Tributes flooded on to social media, with former Preston Lodge student Audrey Mackay saying: “He was a truly respected man.

“An excellent chemistry teacher and he gained my huge respect as a headteacher by showing fair strictness and understanding which was needed at that time.

“Sorry to hear of his death. He taught me a lot which I didn’t realise at the time. Thoughts with his family.”

Chris Horton added: “A lovely level-headed man. Our sons liked him too.

“RIP Davey Allen: you really were a lovely man and a great headmaster.

“Everyone had respect for you.”

Another former student, Mary Johnston, said: “RIP Mr Allan: you got me a job when I left school at 16, I was there for 41 years. Condolences to all the family.”

Mr Allan passed away on March 25.