This page contains tributes from The Observer and many other newspapers, to our colleague Arnold Kemp, one of Scotland's most gifted and best-loved journalists, along with a selection of Arnold's Observer commentaries.

The wonderful state of Kempistan
The memorial address from Robin McKie, Science Editor of The Observer, at Arnold Kemp's memorial service, held at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street (27 November 2002).

Memorial service: Mr Arnold Kemp
The Times: A memorial service for Mr Arnold Kemp, Editor of the Glasgow Herald, 1981-94 and Foreign News Editor of The Observer, was held yesterday at St Bride's, Fleet Street (External link, 27 November 2002)

A Church apart
Cool jazz, the Lord's prayer, Rabbie Burns, a bodhrán and poetry - even in death my late Observer friend and colleague Arnold Kemp continues to inspire, says Henry McDonald. (22 September 2002)

Friends and family pay generous tribute
Glasgow Herald: Friends in mourning gathered from every corner of the British Isles yesterday to say farewell to Arnold Kemp and to celebrate his life. The Lorimar Chapel at Warriston crematorium was full to overflowing with colleagues from the world of journalism, politics, music, the theatre, and friends (External link, 18 September 2002).

A true champion of Scotland and a much-loved friend
Neal Ascherson traces the life of an ebullient colleague who transformed Scottish journalism.

'He inspired his writers - and was spellbinding in company'
Burhan Wazir tells how Arnold Kemp's sense of adventure encouraged a new generation of Observer reporters.

An inspiration at The Observer
Peter Beaumont: Arnold was an inspirational friend who cared about his journalism, his papers, and his friends in equal measure. (Glasgow Herald, external link)

A special gentleman
Pam Bainbridge of the Coach and Horses, the Observer and Guardian office pub, pays a poetic tribute to Arnold Kemp's memory.

Arnold Kemp
Obituary: The Guardian: Gifted journalist who breathed new life into two great Scottish newspapers and rejuvenated spirits at the Observer.

Outstanding journalist of his generation
Obituary: Glasgow Herald: Outstanding journalist who edited The Herald and was an influential voice in a nation's politics (External link)

Mourning a genuine star
Appreciation: Harry Reid, Glasgow Herald: Not just the Scottish press is bereft this morning; Scotland herself is mourning an authentic star. (External link)

Enthusiasm and canny scepticism
Obituary: The Scotsman: Arnold Kemp was, on his own admission, a journalist of the old school - passionately committed to what he regarded as an honourable profession, but equally alert to its fallibilities. (External link)

The most gentlemanly of editors
Appreciation: Jack McLean, Glasgow Herald: Sartorially, he was shambolic. I once wrote that he was the only man in Britain who bought an incredibly expensive Chester-Barrie suit and then paid three tramps to sleep in it for a fortnight (External link).

Versatile journalist and editor of integrity
Obituary: The Independent: His enormous distinction - in a nation replete with talented journalists - was founded on a reputation as a curious, brave, scholarly, resourceful and humorous editor of great integrity. (External link)

Passionately devoted to journalism and Scotland
Obituary: The Times: The first rule of journalism, said Arnold Kemp, was that it should be fun. Unless you relished the daily challenge of a newspaper, warmed to good writing, and above all knew how to escape the tyranny of the computer and engage properly with people, preferably over a liberating dram, the profession was not worth pursuing. (External link: free registration required)

We must still be heard
A Secretary of State still has an important place in London. (18 August 2002).

Not independence day
Nationalist calls for a clean break are premature. (28 July 2002).

Two into one won't go
A merger between the Scotsman and the Herald would be disastrous both for the papers and politics (28 October 2001).

A festival for the people
The fringe is not the time to flee Edinburgh, but to celebrate it (4 August 2002).

Come on in, the food's dire
It's doing the simple things well that can make eating out a treat (25 August 2002).

A quiet cheer for England
Parochialism no longer has a place in Scottish football or our national life. But, despite being pleased for David Beckham and Michael Owen, it is still difficult to cheer them on (9 June 2002).

I'm still doolally about royalty
Think about 'President Thatcher'... that's when you'll compromise and say 'God Save the Queen' (10 February 2002)

I love the rolling stones
The reaction of the London press to the British curling triumph at the Winter Olympics has been warm-hearted in its celebration of a romantic triumph by ordinary people but rather contemptuous of the game itself, which it calls 'bowls on ice' (24 February 2002).

For a hap'orth of Tarmac
No wonder we're driven to distraction. Our roads are a disgrace (11 August 2002).

In the fading heart of the kirk
A new book unravels why the Church of Scotland is slowly failing, and how the decline may be halted (19 May 2002)

Bigger worries than Big Yin
Can we reconcile the conflict between poverty and the environment? (1 September 2002)

The evil abroad in Europe
It's not enough to combat racism; we must also understand the feelings that fuel it (5 May 2002)

Start counting the spoons
I have always entertained an especial detestation for the Irish saint Ursicinus of Saint-Ursanne, a pal of St Columba, who loathed wine and those who served it. Down the years, only management consultants have aroused my deeper dislike (30 June 2002).

Prohibition should be banned
The present attitude towards drug use does little for users and everything for criminals (25 November 2001).

This image problem
Have the Tories really changed, or is still (lack of) style over content? (24 March 2002)

A race of many parts
The ability to select the best of the rest is not to be sneered at.

Songs of freedom
Hamish Henderson's death robs Scotland of its true poetic voice.