William MOWAT-THOMSON

I have only now just learnt belatedly and with the deepest sadness of the passing of my very highly respected and hugely admired former senior colleague at the Theatre School of Dance and Drama in Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh. William was a brilliant and inspiring leader in many aspects of education and culture. Above all, William was a person of the greatest humanity and sensitivity. He loved all living creatures. Indeed, he loved companion animals but could not bring himself to acquire one because, as he explained to me, he would not have been able to cope with the grief of their loss. Dear William, RIP.

I can't believe I have only just read that William passed last October. It has shocked and saddened me as he was the major influence in my life.

I last saw him at his St. Bernard's Crescent house a couple of years ago when I had to be in Edinburgh and he invited me for tea. As ever, it was a joy to be in his company.

We first met in the mid-1970s when I loved going to his Scottish Yoga Centre in Atholl Crescent although smelling the incense as I entered the grand building made my think that my granny, a Scottish 'Wee Free' would have been very suspicious! He inspired me from day one and that has never changed, not in 45 years. I was part of his first ever Yoga Teacher Training group and relished every moment, being especially delighted when he gave me my Teaching Certificate 'With Merit'. It is still safely here in my office at home in Perthshire.

He came to teach the students at my Perth Yoga Centre in the 1980s, it being only the second yoga centre in Scotland, after his own in Edinburgh, by then moved to St. Stephen's Street in Stockbridge. I was then greatly honoured when he graciously and happily agreed to be patron of my Classical Yoga School www.cysyogateachertraining.com set up in 2003. Every one of our more than 650 CYS trained yoga teachers have a great deal to be thankful to William for as it's his wise, strong and clear guidance about yoga that I have done my best to pass on over the years.

He was the very best teacher and mentor, always humble, wise and amusing. I am still shocked and a little tearful.

So sad to hear that you've passed, the lessons not just for dance, but in life are with me still.
Rest in peace Mr T.

George Herron

Correction to my posting of 8th November, which should have read, "I was deeply saddened to learn THAT,(and not the),William Mowat Thomson had passed away, as he was truly wonderful man".....Wendy H. Ross, Edinburgh.

I am deeply saddedend to hear this news and only sorry that it was too late in order to attend the funeral. Dear William was my Yoga master for many years during the 1980s at the St. Stephen's Street dance centre. Such an inspiring life with a passion for ballet and music, a story told in a BBC radio documentary featuring his favourite music. He explained that he had "left Orkney with the heather between his ears" to travel to India where he absorbed his spiritual and artistic knowledge. Wonderful memories of a truly charming, gentle, gracious man.

I was deeply saddened to learn the William Mowat Thomson had passed away, as he was a truly wonderful man. I first got to know him in the 1960's when I was a student at his Theatre School of Dance and Drama, in Shandwick Place, where I trained as a stage actor. William was a person with a bright, positive energy about him, that truly inspired the many people who surrounded him, in all his endeavours, including me. I loved William with all my heart, and am just so glad that I knew him, as a friend, and teacher. Wendy H. Ross.

William offered a place for me to drop anchor in 1975 as I backpacked around Britain, ostensibly exploring, but he knew I was looking for purpose. I studied dance, yoga, worked as I could in his cafe and house, lived upstairs for a year, and hung on his every word. I returned to the US with plans for graduate school. A mentor, we became lifelong friends whom I visited as many as three times a year, driving all over his beloved Scotland, touring country houses, meeting his friends, dinners in his restored Georgian house, long conversations about life, positive energy, and the power of the mind to propel us forward. His shining light, love for laughter, wit and wisdom uplighted hundreds. A legend and dear shall I shall miss. Love, Hoot Gibson

May you rest in peace Mr Thomson. You inspired many generations of dancers and will be missed by so many.