Old photograph of Andrew Cruickshank, who was born to Andrew and Mary Cruickshank on 25 December 1907 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School, he was to have entered the profession of civil engineering after completing his education, but instead joined provincial repertory theatres, leading to 1930 roles in Othello at the Savoy Theatre in London, England, as Maudelyn in Richard of Bordeaux at the Empire Theatre on Broadway in 1934. His first film role followed in 1937, as the poet Robert Burns in Auld Lang Syne. He appeared in many television plays and series, amongst them A. J. Cronin's Dr Finlay's Casebook, containing his most famous characterisation, Doctor Angus Cameron, a crusty but erudite senior partner in the rural general practice run in Tannochbrae, with the help of the much younger Doctor Alan Finlay and stiff Presbyterian housekeeper Janet. The highly popular BBC production ran from 16 August 1962 until 3 January 1971, after which Cruickshank continued with it on BBC Radio 4 for seven years, it having been adapted to that format since 10 March 1970. He finally bade farewell to the character on 18 December 1978, following its parting episode, Going Home. In 1963 he played the title role in the BBC sitcom Mr Justice Duncannon, having appeared as that character in the final episode of the 1962 sitcom Brothers in Law. He married Curigwen, and they had one son and two daughters. He was chair of the board of directors of Edinburgh Festival Fringe between 1970 and 1983. He died on 29 April 1988 in London.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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