Born on January 23, 1936, Ken grew up in Meadowbank and attended Parsons Green Primary School and the Royal High. After leaving school he joined the Scottish Daily Mail, then moved to London to work in Fleet Street. He moved back to Scotland and worked latterly at the Daily Record, where he became chief features sub-editor. Ken was involved with the Edinburgh folk scene for many years, and in the 1960s he met Ian Green, who now runs Greentrax Recordings in Cockenzie.

Ian said: “We bumped into each other in Sandy Bells, where everyone in Edinburgh who was folk-oriented drifted into back then.” It was here they also met John Barrow, who is now managing director of city-based Stoneyport Associates - an agency for musicians. The trio launched the Sandy Bells Broadsheet in the early 1970s, which aimed to publicise the folk music scene and promote better communication between musicians.

It started out as a double-sided sheet with details of gigs and tours, but developed into a popular publication, featuring reviews and articles. Ken, Ian, and John also formed the Edinburgh Folk Club in 1973, and Ken was the club’s first chairman. Still going today, the club meets every Wednesday night in the Pleasance Theatre Bar. Ken also wrote folk songs and sang, and though he was not a regular performer he was known for having a great singing voice.

But Ken’s interests weren’t confined to folk music. He loved jazz and blues and was also a big fan of musicals and films - in particular Laurel and Hardy. John said: “He was a good bloke and a very popular man. Ian and I learnt a lot from him when we did the Broadsheet. He was such a professional journalist and a tolerant one too.” Ian said: “Ken was a hugely interesting fellow and a superb journalist. He had a quick and active brain and a wit to match.