Obituary: David Whyte

Scottish Rugby is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Scotland internationalist David Whyte, who wore the Thistle on 13 occasions in the 1960s.

David James Whyte was born in Cupar-Fife to Helen and Alexander Whyte on February 21 1940.

He had two older sisters, Helen and Moira, one older brother, Sandy and a younger brother Graeme. Sadly, their father, Alexander, died when David was 13.

Despite this tragic event David’s sporting prowess was soon evident as he became a ‘star player’ of the school rugby team at Bell Baxter High School where he captained the school and the North-Midlands sides.

A pacey winger on the rugby field David also excelled in athletics and he pursued both sporting careers to full international honours.

He won a Harkness Exhibition – one of the top bursaries – to St Andrew’s and went on to earn an Honours MA in English Language and Literature and became captain of the Scottish Universities side.

He was a successful member of the St Andrews University athletics team across many sports, including the 100 yards, and won the Amateur Athletics Association long jump title and the Scottish and British Junior Long Jump Championships.

During this time, he competed internationally travelling to Russia, Finland, France, Ireland and England in the Long Jump.

It was noted that on one incredible weekend in 1959, David played sevens for Howe of Fife and then headed straight to Paris, where he won the first of his eight Great Britain Athletics vests.

A Glasgow Herald article from April 1959 stated that David “won the 100 yards in 10.7 against a strong wind, also the high jump with 5′ 8″ and the hop, step and jump with 41′ 9″.”

David’s rugby skills were also called upon by the Barbarian’s side, which he represented on seven occasions between 1962 and 1967, scoring six points against an East Midlands side in March 1966.

On graduating from St Andrews with an Honours MA in English Language and Literature David went up to Oxford to gain a Diploma in Education and earned an Oxford Blue when he featured in the 1963 Oxford-Cambridge varsity match.

He married his childhood sweetheart Judith, who he met in fifth year of school, the same year.

His first teaching appointment came back in Scotland at Strathallan School and whilst playing out of Edinburgh Wanderers, David won his first cap for Scotland against Wales at Murrayfield on February 6^th, 1965, in a 14-12 defeat.

The winger made 13 appearances for Scotland in total, with 11 of them coming in the Five Nations.

David’s first try for his country came in January 1966 against France at Murrayfield, as he crossed the line in a 3-3 draw in the days where tries were only worth three points.

He then dotted down again in the same Five Nations championship, this time against England in March as Scotland were 6-3 victors.

David’s final appearance of his Scotland career came in March 1967 against England at Twickenham, where this time Scotland were defeated 27-14. David sprinted over the line from close range in the first half that day, but unfortunately the try was disallowed.

It was during his international career that Stephen and Geoffrey were born.

David left Strathallan for Kirkcaldy High School and then moved to Brechin, where he and Judith had two more sons, Barnaby and Sebastian.

He went on to become Deputy Head at Peterhead Academy, and whilst there was a founding member of Peterhead Rugby Club.

In 1983, he was appointed Rector of Golspie High School, where he introduced rugby for both boys and girls. He stayed at the school until his retirement, due to health reasons, in 2002.

Outside of his career in education David was a founder member of East Sutherland Rotary Club and latterly was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for services to Rotary. He was an elder of the church for 50 years.

David continued to live in Golspie, where he was an avid and talented bridge player, until 2019, when a health scare saw him to move to Dunfermline to be closer to his family.

He enjoyed his move as it allowed him more time in his final years to see his grandchildren.

David is survived by his wife Judith, his four sons and 11 grandchildren.