Today i learned the sad news that John McKie, who used to set Toughies as Myops, has passed away. He was one of my favorite setters, and I had the great pleasure to meet him a couple of times.
He was famous as the setter of the fiendishly difficult Wee Stinker in the Glasgow Herald. Here is a link to his obituary.
Sad news, and following news of a couple of other setters, the Guardian’s Gordius and the Listener’s Waterloo.
R I P
Sad news – his Toughies were always properly tough, and not just because of the requirement to know an awful lot of Scottish terms and expressions
Lovely obituary in the link.
Thanks for sharing.
RIP John
Very sad. RIP Myops.
Gone to the great puzzler in the sky. RIP
Sad but lovely obituary. Thank you for the link.
That’s awful news. He was one of my favourite setters. Condolences to his family.
Only ever encountered Myops a few times in crosswordland but it is a sad loss all the same
Condolences to friends and family
RIP John
A wonderful teacher & gentleman at the school both my wife and I were fortunate to attend. He was a real character who revelled in language and words. RIP Sir.
Welcome to the blog
Sad news indeed, he will be missed, RIP and condolences to his friends
He taught me Latin at Hutchesons’ Grammar School. A lovely, educated man. RIP
Welcome to the blog
Sad news.
Dear friends…can someone attempt to explain to me in incredibly simple terms the G-GAG thing?
thanks, Rob/Hudson
I’m no musician, but it’s the notes of “Happy Birthday”.
Hi Dave, and thanks for replying.
Maybe, but how on earth could anyone solve that? I imagine the best outcome would be to get enough crossers to be able to bung the answer in and move on. Very odd clue to choose to feature in the dear chap’s obituary. Best wishes, Rob.
Have a look at this interview with Lorna McKie:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12705404.puzzled-perplexed-but-at-peace/
… and this one with the great man himself:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/16103970.clued-up-john-mckie-the-man-behind-the-wee-stinker-crossword/