Hamilton-born SNP stalwart Rankin passes away

Jan 21 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A FORMER Hamilton man who went on to become a Scottish National Party stalwart has died suddenly, aged 77.

Henry Cunison Rankin, known affectionately to friends as “Cunnie”, passed away of a heart attack at his home in Dunfermline on Monday, January 4.

Born in Hamilton in 1932, Mr Rankin was a respected chartered accountant and held the office of the Scottish National Party’s treasurer from 1965 to 1966 and as a member of the National Executive Committee from 1966 until 1968.

Mr Rankin attended Hamilton Academy before graduating from Glasgow University with MA and LLB degrees in 1958.

He then notched up years of experience as an accountant in Scotland and in France, where he married his wife Edith in 1961.

His support for the SNP saw him stand as a parliamentary candidate unsuccessfully for Lanark in 1966, as well as North Angus and Mearns in 1974.

Mr Rankin was fiercely proud of his Scottish roots, and was made chairman of the Edinburgh-based Saltire Society in 2007.

He was also a director of student education at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the early 1980s, and was a lecturer in taxation.

Mr Rankin also had a passion for broadcasting and the arts, and was involved in the Cantilena Music Festival from its inception in 1999.

He retired from his chartered accountancy business last month.

Mr Rankin is survived by his wife and four daughters.

His funeral service will be held at Dunfermline Crematorium on Saturday, January 23, starting at 11am.