EDINBURGH-based Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes has announced the death of its longest serving employee, Scott Cornwall, following a long illness.
Scott, who was 59, joined the business straight from school in 1975. His first job was in the car spares department at the company’s Gilmerton Road base. Over the next four decades, he progressed to the role of mobile crane driver and most recently he drove the Edinburgh firm’s flagship 500-tonne Liebherr mobile crane.
Scott’s career included several landmark crane jobs such as helping to dismantle the Queensferry Crossing’s massive Liebherr tower cranes, shifting the famous cannon, ‘Mon’s Meg’ and the Duke of Wellington statue at Edinburgh Castle, in addition to hoisting a Rolls Royce limousine onto the decks at The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks.
Jim Rafferty, chairman at Bernard Hunter Mobile Cranes said, “Scott initially moved from car spares to driving a Poclain TY45 scrap handling machine in our yard, before gaining his driving and HGV licenses. He also had every crane operator’s certificate under the sun.
“Scott started with a 50-ton Liebherr and gradually moved upwards through 90, 120, 160 and 220-tonne mobile cranes. When our first Liebherr 500-tonne mobile crane arrived in late 2011, Scott was the natural choice for this vehicle.
“Scott’s hard work and dedication through his 40-year plus career cannot be underestimated. His contribution to the success of Bernard Hunter was immense. He will be sadly missed by all our staff, customers and suppliers.”
Born in Woodburn, Dalkeith in 1960, Scott lived in Midlothian his entire life. A passion for rugby saw him nicknamed ‘Tank’ during his playing days at Dalkeith Rugby Club. He remained closely connected to the club right up to his death on September 7th. Scott leaves a wife, Hazel, son Ryan and daughter Kelly.
