Acknowledgments

Few books open with a word of thanks for the men and women of Scotland’s police service but it seems fitting to do just that. If the chapters which follow do nothing else, they serve to illustrate the challenges faced by those tasked with keeping us, our money and our possessions safe and secure in the face of quite incredible challenges. The same applies to those working in the security industry who put their own safety on the line every day they get up and go to work.

No book I have worked on has been a solo effort and this project was no different. From those who lent me their time to speak on the record and share their expertise and memories – Jean Pandelus and Douglas Campbell – to the many who did likewise in an ‘off-the-record’ manner, the input was valuable. So too was the input from all at Birlinn, from the earliest stage of the project through to the finished article, and Colin Macleod with his continued keen eye and now legendary enthusiasm.

I must also thank the many journalists whose attention to detail, from the 18th century through to the modern day, has helped to preserve intricate detail from which many lessons have been and will continue to be learned.

Most importantly of all, my heartfelt appreciation goes to the most treasured people in my life and the source of eternal inspiration and support – Coral, Finlay, Mia and Zara.