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Some people say this is the best view they’ve
seen of the new St James Quarter and hotelBy PHYLLIS STEPHENGRAHAM CHERRIE has retired
after running his butcher's shop in
Albert Street for 40 years, but he is
only taking a short break for now,
and will be back to help out the
new owner, Scott Miller, with the
Christmas rush in December.
Originally from Loanhead
Graham started the business in
1982, after working for ten years
for John Campbell & Son. He said:
"They were good to me, a great
family to work for. I have a lot of
happy memories but I felt the
urge to move on.
"I had never worked in the city
before and then this shop came
up. I was in my comfort zone inLoanhead - and even when we
were coming to see the shop I
said to my wife Chrissie - 'Oh let's
just turn the car about'.
"But she persuaded me to come
and listen to what Paul who was
selling the business had to say,
and the rest is history. I would
like to thank everybody who
has helped me through the years- I have a long list.
"I was born in Graham Street
just round the corner, and that
was why my mother named me
Graham. I've always found that
quite funny. I have lots of happy
memories here.
"The best thing about running
your own business is only having
yourself to answer to, but I would
say that you're prone to punish
yourself more. The tramworks
outside - that hasn't helped, but
to be fair I have to thank all the
workmen - the plumbers,
electricians, joiners and brickies
who have always come in for a pie
for years. I always had a bit of
banter with them.”
Graham said he plans to take
up bowling again, to "try and get
a bit better" when he has more
time to play. He said: "My friends
joke that they will start a third side
at the bowling club just so that I
can get a game.”
Graham who lives with his
family in Penicuik said he will be
sad to leave the street, but the
shop isn't closing. He explained:"It will continue as a butcher’s
shop and will continue to look
after people at Christmas and
New Year.
"After the New Year I’m going to
take a back seat but if Scott wants
me to come in for a day or a half
day to keep my hand in then I
would do that. He has been here
for about five years now. He’s very
conscientious, particularly about
customer care. I think the
customers will be in safe hands."
Nephew, Mark Laidlaw, worked
with his uncle Graham for about
18 years. Mark told us about
Graham retiring and said:
"He is one of the nicest, genuine
gentlemen and has become well
known in Leith."Jo’s a law
to herself
One last bite of the Cherrie
Student awarded prestigious scholarship
Popular butcher Graham retires, but will be back to lend a hand
Edinburgh Napier University
law student Jo MacLeodBy STEPHEN RAFFERTYA BARISTA WHO is determined to carve
out a career in law has been awarded the
Kirk Murdoch Scholarship, which was set up
in memory of the respected lawyer and
business leader.
Jo MacLeod, 27, worked in a number of
retail jobs after leaving school but gave up
her full-time Starbucks position to return to
college to obtain an HND in legal studies.
The mother of a six-year-old daughter,
Jo is now a third year law undergraduate at
Edinburgh Napier University and is the fourth
recipient of the scholarship named after Pinsent
Masons’ former Scotland chairman who passed
away in 2017.
The scholarship is aligned with The Lawscot
Foundation, a charity established by the Law
Society of Scotland to help talented students
from less advantaged backgrounds to access
a career in law.
The scholarship students receive financial
support, career mentoring, a summer work
placement, and can potentially be awarded a
legal traineeship at Pinsent Masons on
graduation from university.
Jo, originally from Stirling and now living in
Leith, said: “When I left school at 17 I went to
university to study sociology and politics but it
wasn’t for me. Since then I have worked inretail, but I realised it didn’t want to work in a
coffee shop forever and decided to get back into
higher education.
“A big attraction for studying law was that
there are so many potential job routes once you
graduate. It’s all about providing the best life
opportunities for my daughter and a legal career
opens up so many opportunities.”
Jo grew up watching popular crime shows
such as Suits and CSI and initially she thought
she wanted to be a criminal lawyer, but a
summer placement with an Edinburgh
commercial law firm changed her outlook.
She added: “I think most people view
criminal law as pretty cool, but once you start
studying law you realise there are so many other
areas that you can specialise in, and I found my
brief introduction to corporate law really
exciting and I think I really connected with that.
“Pinsent Masons is such a well-known
reputable law firm and being lucky enough to
be offered the Kirk Murdoch Scholarship is a
great opportunity which will be a tremendous
support as I complete my studies.”
Former University of Dundee law student
Emilia Gordon, who was the Kirk Murdoch
Scholar in 2020, has recently been awarded a
traineeship and will join Pinsent Masons’
London office.
Chair of Pinsent Masons in Scotland,
Katharine Hardie, said: “Kirk Murdochchampioned talented young lawyers
throughout his own career and was always
willing to give of his time and encouragement
to younger colleagues to enable them to
achieve their potential.
“He would be delighted at the quality of
undergraduates who are benefitting from ascholarship in his name and that his legacy is
enabling students to enter the profession.
“Emilia Gordon is a fine example of what can
be achieved when potential is nourished and
encouraged, and I am confident our latest
scholar Jo will do her best to follow a similar
path as she progresses in her legal career.”BUSINESS NEWS