Edwin Williamson, Emeritus Professor of Spanish Studies, University of Oxford

“The news of Christopher’s death cut very deep. My wife Susan and I have been friends of the Land family for so long, having first met Moira and Ray as students at Edinburgh University and subsequently lived in the same neighbourhood in south-west London and then in Morningside, after both families moved to Edinburgh. I felt touched and privileged to have been asked to be godfather to Christopher, and well remember the day of his christening in Putney. After moving back to Scotland, our families remained good friends: our daughters went to the same schools, we shared family walks in the Borders, enjoyed meals and parties together. I saw Christopher grow from boy to man: a warm, sensitive, highly intelligent young man. I fondly recall a drink we had together in the Braid Hills Hotel, where among many other things we discussed his choice of subjects at A-level. I like to think that what clinched his decision to take Spanish was my suggestion that he attend a summer school in Salamanca, where he had a thoroughly good time and acquired an enduring fondness of things Spanish.

I took pride in Christopher’s achievements: reading Oriental Studies at Cambridge, travelling widely, working in finance in London, and then returning to Scotland to embark on a new career in politics, law and public service.  It is tragic that a life of such promise should have been cut short. Indeed, it seems incredible that we could have lost dear Christopher. 

Although the current epidemic prevented me from travelling to Edinburgh to be present at the funeral, I was able to follow - in real time from my home in Oxford - the readings and music in the Order of Service. I was especially struck by Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, which for me expressed feelings which one would have struggled to put into words. It was a deeply moving farewell for a truly admirable and much-loved young man. May he rest in peace.”