16 comments on “RIP – Allan Scott”

  2. I had the opportunity to blog six Falcon crosswords for this site, the most recent one just last month. Looking back over my comments, I recall that his puzzles were consistently entertaining, not too hard, but often calling for some creative thought. I am sorry to hear this news.

  3. Very sad news, my condolences to his family and friends. He set over twenty Listener puzzles (as Ascot) and 200 in the Times Quick Cryptic series (as Tracy) and also set the main Times puzzle. Puzzles always a joy to solve. As others have mentioned, a really nice person.

  4. So very sorry to hear the news, and sincere condolences to his family. I had the pleasure of winning one of his Everyman puzzles (3002) before I became a setter, and have always made time to solve his work in the FT. Always entertaining, scrupulously fair, RIP

  5. Very sad. I remember doing 20-odd puzzles for The European where he was editor, and we were able to take him and his wife around Wellington a few years ago when they arrived on a cruise ship. RIP and condolences.

  6. Was he the setter before the current Everyman? If so then I really enjoyed his puzzles and used to do them weekly.

    RIP

  7. He was Everyman from 1994 to 2015, according to a Spectator article I found. And published a book of the crosswords plus some other interesting looking books I tripped over, when I was trying to find dates for Everyman.

    Colin Gumbrell was the setter between his spell at the Everyman and the current setter.

    I didn’t realise he was Falcon in the FT.

    Very sad, commiserations to his family and those who miss him.

  9. Sad news. I learnt to do crosswords from Everyman and I was very lucky to coincide with Allan. Each puzzle was fair, interesting and educational . The level was so consistent over so many years, no gradual increase in difficulty, a much under-rated skill . I have also enjoyed the Falcon puzzles in the FT in the last few years. They may have a few left, it would be good to see them if the family approves.

  10. Allan signed me up for The Today crossword in the 80s, a significant break in my career. He supplied the words and I wrote the clues. My most noteworthy clue was No fellow for mixing 4,4. A nice man to meet and a great loss to the crossword world.

  11. Indeed a sad loss.
    He compiled for the Spectator for many years and was a member of the quartet of compilers who provided puzzles for well over ten years. Columba, Dumpynose and I aka Doc were the other three.
    He compiled a puzzle every ninth week, supplying just over 100 in total. 26 consecutive puzzles bore an A to Z title of Girls’ names from Amy to Zoe.

    He will be sadly missed. My condolences to Christine, his partner.

  12. Your wish has been granted Roz@9, and for others who may want to visit, Allan Scott/Falcon is published posthumously today 21 May, in the FT 17,740. The introduction advises that this is his penultimate cryptic crossword.

  13. Sad news indeed and, having just completed today’s offering, I wanted to add my appreciation for all the great puzzles and condolences to Allan’s family and friends. I had not realised just how extensive his oeuvre actually was. He will be much missed.

  14. Robert Falcon Scott, y’see. Campbell (AS’s pseudonym for The DT) was first officer on the Terra Nova expedition.

    A great compiler, who always produced fair clues, he will be missed, as not everyone is capable of writing in that easy, elegant style. RIP.

  15. Sad news indeed. Today’s FT was an exemplar in the art of setting. Hopefully Allan’s family and friends can take some small comfort from the fact that he brought such pleasure to so many.

    Rest in peace.

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