Robin L B Hagart
1935-2024
Class of 1953

Having started his schooling at Drewsteignton School, Robin Hagart joined Class IE at Elmbank Street from Bearsden Academy in 1947. There was an inevitability about this, as his grandfather, his father and his brother attended The High School of Glasgow, and his three Hagart aunts, his mother and his mother-in-law all went to The Glasgow High School for Girls. 

Besides the High School, the Boys’ Brigade in Bearsden played a key role in Robin’s early life, the summer camps nurturing his love for the Scottish countryside and the Pipe Band developing his talent for the drums. He supported the 1^st Bearsden B.B. throughout his life. He was a passionate sailor, his base being the Royal Yacht Club in Rhu, and one high point was being invited to be part of the crew of the royal yacht, ‘Bloodhound’, owned by Prince Philip. He enjoyed skiing in Scotland and the Alps, but his time as a skier was brought to an end by a nasty accident on the slopes of Glencoe, when he had to be evacuated by the Mountain Rescue Team. His gratitude for the help received from these volunteers was reflected in his ongoing support for Glencoe Mountain Rescue and other mountain rescue teams.   

On leaving school in 1953, Robin asked to do his National Service in the Navy, but was sent to serve in the Army. Undeterred, he indulged his taste for adventure by volunteering to be a dispatch rider. In addition to wild runs across the country on his motor bike, he enjoyed driving tanks and huge articulated lorries. On returning to Glasgow, he rejected the invitation to join the family business, Bambers, at Charing Cross, and decided to become a Quantity Surveyor, funding his studies by moonlighting as a double-decker bus driver in Kirkintilloch. After many years as a Quantity Surveyor, he changed to building surveying, becoming one of the first building surveyors in Scotland. He set up his own business, and the restoration of the Theatre Royal and an appearance on national TV news to discuss the project were career highlights.  

Robin certainly maintained the family tradition of commitment to the High School. As a pupil, a former pupil and a parent of two pupils, he maintained an affection for, and an involvement with, the School all his days. He was always an enthusiastic member of The Glasgow High School Club, serving on the Committee and becoming President of the Club in 1996-97. He was a member of the original fundraising campaign for the new school buildings at Old Anniesland. As a professional Building Surveyor, he very much enjoyed his involvement in the maintenance of the school buildings at Anniesland and Bearsden, giving invaluable advice and guidance over a period of seventeen years. In later years he loved attending the various concerts, shows, services etc. in both the Junior and Senior Schools, and he looked forward very much to the monthly Coffee Mornings for Elmbank Street former pupils.  

There can have been few more committed, supportive and generous former pupils than Robin, and it is fitting that he is remembered each year at the Senior School Prizegiving, with the award of the Hagart Rosebowl for extra-curricular activity, which he donated. Supported by the loving care of his wife, Kate, Robin faced courageously a number of health challenges over the years and maintained his kindly, gentlemanly nature and his keen sense of humour. We offer our deepest sympathies to Kate, Richard and Gordon in their loss.  

Tribute written by Dr Robin G. Easton (Former Rector, 1982-2004)