A former Angus scientist who was consulted over the UK’s last nuclear power station at Sizewell has died peacefully in Blairgowrie. He was 71.
James Murray was born the third of seven children to Charles and Lily Murray in Cadboll, Easter Ross.
Charles worked as a cattleman, raising pedigree animals for show, and was a respected traditional singer.
The family moved to Angus in the 1950s and Mr Murray’s secondary education was at Brechin High School between 1954 and 1960.
He graduated from Aberdeen University with an honours degree in physics in 1964. As a keen cross country runner he was a member of the Aberdeen University Hares and Hounds Club.
He moved to stay in Ontario with his eldest sister Lily before gaining a PhD in nuclear research in 1967. Mr Murray, who liked to be known as Jim, worked in various nuclear power jobs in England and Switzerland until 1976.
At that time he joined the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) where he remained for 25 years, retiring in 2002 as a principal nuclear inspector.
On retiring, Mr Murray bought Dillavaird Cottage,near Ruthven, where he pursued his passion for cycling and hill walking.
For the last two years Mr Murray became increasingly afflicted by ill health and latterly was a patient at the Cottage Hospital in Blairgowrie.