A Warm Welcome Back to Heriot's for Keith Neillands (Class of 1963)

Fresh off the plane from sunny New South Wales, Australia, Keith Neillands (1963) took time during the school holidays to pay us a visit.

Much has changed since Keith left Heriot’s in 1963 — from the transformation of the School Hall to the new Refectory, and of course, the stunning Grassmarket Sports Complex. Keith particularly enjoyed revisiting his old classrooms, especially Chemistry and Physics, which left a lasting impression on his younger self.

After leaving Heriot’s, Keith studied Civil Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Upon graduation, he headed to London, where he worked as a consultant on the underground rail network for ten years. It was during this time he met his future wife, an Australian — and together, they made the decision to settle in Sydney.

In Sydney, Keith worked for the New South Wales Railways as a track maintenance engineer, often clocking in unsociable hours. Now retired, he enjoys life by the beach, with family close by. He regularly returns to Scotland to reconnect with friends from the Class of '63 and is currently preparing for a trip to the Isle of Mull and beyond.

It was a real pleasure to welcome you back, Keith. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon!