Key Points
- Robert Raeside, aged 67, passed away at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, on January 26, 2026.
- He resided at Colinton Road, Edinburgh, and was formerly of Stirling.
- Recently associated with Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University.
- Known as Robert McLeod Raeside (Edinburgh).
- A wake to celebrate his life is scheduled from 4 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, at BrewDog Lothian Road, 50 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BY; all who knew him are welcome.
- Obituary published by The Scotsman on February 20, 2026, via Legacy.com.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 20, 2026 – Robert Raeside, a 67-year-old resident of Colinton Road in Edinburgh, has passed away at St John’s Hospital in Livingston on January 26, 2026, as announced in an obituary published today. The notice, shared with great sadness by his family, highlights his connections to Stirling and his recent roles at prominent local universities, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University. A public wake to celebrate his life is set for February 27 at BrewDog on Lothian Road, inviting everyone who knew him.
- Key Points
- Who Was Robert Raeside?
- Where and When Did Robert Raeside Pass Away?
- What Were Robert Raeside’s Professional Connections?
- What Is Known About His Early Life in Stirling?
- When and Where Is the Wake for Robert Raeside?
- Why Was the Obituary Published in The Scotsman?
- How Can the Community Pay Respects?
- What Legacy Does Robert Raeside Leave?
Who Was Robert Raeside?
Robert Raeside lived on Colinton Road, Edinburgh, a street known for its residential properties in the Colinton area. Originally from Stirling, he had strong ties to central Scotland before establishing himself in the capital. His professional life centred around academia, particularly with Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University, where he was recently affiliated, according to his LinkedIn profile and the obituary.
As reported in the obituary published by The Scotsman on Legacy.com,
“With great sadness it is announced the passing at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, on January 26, 2026, of Robert Raeside, aged 67, of Colinton Road, Edinburgh. Formerly of Stirling and recently of Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot Watt University.”
This statement underscores the family’s profound grief and provides key biographical details without further elaboration on his career specifics in the notice itself.
No additional personal statements from family or colleagues appear in the primary obituary, but the open invitation to the wake suggests a man with a wide circle of acquaintances.
Where and When Did Robert Raeside Pass Away?
Robert Raeside died at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, a major facility serving south east Scotland with services including accident and emergency, maternity, and specialist units like plastic surgery and burns. The exact date of his passing was January 26, 2026, nearly a month before the obituary’s publication.
St John’s Hospital, opened in 1989, is located about 20 miles west of Edinburgh and handles a range of specialties but centralises certain services like trauma in the city. The obituary specifies this location precisely:
“the passing at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, on January 26, 2026.”
No cause of death is mentioned in the available reports, maintaining the notice’s focus on announcement and remembrance.
Livingston’s hospital has been noted in other contexts for treating respiratory and cardiac issues, though no direct link is drawn here.
What Were Robert Raeside’s Professional Connections?
Raeside’s recent associations were with Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University, both esteemed institutions in Edinburgh. Heriot-Watt, established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh and granted university status in 1966, is known for research in science, engineering, and business. His LinkedIn profile lists experience at Edinburgh Business School, part of Heriot-Watt University.
At Edinburgh Napier, he served as a supervisor for PhD research, as evidenced in a 2018 blog post by Hazel Hall:
“I was John’s Director of Studies, his second supervisor was Professor Robert Raeside, and third supervisor Pete Robertson.”
This attribution confirms his academic role, likely in a supervisory or professorial capacity within social sciences or related fields.
From The Scotsman obituary via Legacy.com, he was “recently of Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot Watt University,” indicating active involvement up to his passing. Earlier searches reveal a possible namesake geologist, Dr. Robert Raeside, with a PhD from the University of Calgary and long service at Acadia University, but no confirmed link to Edinburgh’s institutions exists in current reports.
What Is Known About His Early Life in Stirling?
Raeside hailed from Stirling, a historic city in central Scotland, before moving to Edinburgh. The obituary notes him as “Formerly of Stirling,” but provides no further details on his upbringing, family, or early career there.
Stirling’s connections appear in broader contexts, such as Robert Stirling the inventor, but no relation is suggested. His middle name, McLeod, links to a Scottish scientific glassblower, Robert McLeod, but they are distinct individuals. No additional media coverage elaborates on his Stirling years, keeping this aspect concise in reports.
When and Where Is the Wake for Robert Raeside?
A wake to celebrate Robert Raeside’s life will occur from 4 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026, at BrewDog Lothian Road, located at 50 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BY. The venue, a popular craft beer bar in Edinburgh’s West End, is dog- and child-friendly with a menu of burgers, wings, and 28 taps of beer.
The obituary states explicitly:
“A wake to celebrate Robert’s life will take place from 4 pm, on Friday, February 27, at BrewDog Lothian Road (50 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh, EH3 9BY, Scotland). Everyone who knew Robert and wants to come together to celebrate his life is welcome.”
This inclusive phrasing reflects a communal farewell, aligning with BrewDog’s atmosphere for events and private hires.
Published by The Scotsman on February 20, 2026, the notice ensures wide reach via Legacy.com.
Why Was the Obituary Published in The Scotsman?
The obituary appeared in The Scotsman, a leading Edinburgh newspaper, on February 20, 2026, nearly a month after his death. Legacy.com hosts the full text, standard for UK obituaries.
As per the publication details, it was “Published by The Scotsman on Feb. 20, 2026.” This timing allows family to organise the wake while informing the community. No other media outlets report the story, making The Scotsman the sole source.
How Can the Community Pay Respects?
The open wake invitation enables broad participation:
“Everyone who knew Robert and wants to come together to celebrate his life is welcome.”
Attendees should note BrewDog’s hours, typically until late, suiting a 4 pm start.
No guestbook or online condolences are specified beyond Legacy.com’s platform. Community members from his university circles or Stirling background are particularly encouraged, given his affiliations.
What Legacy Does Robert Raeside Leave?
Raeside’s obituary portrays a life bridged between Stirling roots and Edinburgh academia. His university ties suggest contributions to education, potentially in business or social sciences, as seen in supervision roles.
While sparse on achievements, the celebratory wake format implies a positive impact on many. Further tributes may emerge post-wake, but current coverage remains factual and neutral.
