Peter Welsh, a former captain of Leith Accies rugby club and member of a successful Edinburgh District touring team to France that was captained by Andy Irvine has died, aged 59.

The highlight of Peter's rugby career came in August, 1979, when he was part of the Edinburgh side that travelled to Perpignan and defeated a Roussillon Select 15-3.

Lining up in Edinburgh's back row with Peter that day were two players destined to become British Lions - Derrick White and Jim Calder while also included was Bill, later Sir Bill, Gammell.

Fellow Leith Accies player Tom Bell was in the second row and recalled his club-mate, saying: "Peter was an uncompromising, committed and gifted team player on the field and a hugely respected role model for younger Leith Accies off it."

Another ex Leith captain, Frank Sibbald, recalled: "I’ve long memories of a great guy who supported his club on the field and off, through mini rugby and social events and, probably most memorably, as a player" while former team-mate Peter Mitchell recalls Welsh being played out of position as a winger by Leith specifically to nullify the threat posed by Hawick's Bruce White, then the top try scorer in Scottish rugby. White drew a blank that day!

During his life Peter never strayed far from the Restalrig area of Edinburgh where he was born to Nancy and John, an assistant chief firemaster.

Peter pursued a career, initially, in engineering and studied Mechanical and Production Engineering at Napier College (now University) in conjunction with the Parsons Peebles company.

Subsequently he became interested in IT and became a Systems Analyst and later Project Manager working with Christian Salvesens then Agilent Technologies.

A cousin of the best selling author, Irvine Welsh, Peter was married to Anne - whom he met at Leith Academy - for 39 years and the couple have three children - Jackie, Kirsten and Katie.

Around 18 months ago Peter was diagnosed with a brain tumour but fought bravely throughout his illness including seeking inspiration from a charity art/fashion and music event which raised £4000 for Brain Tumour UK.

Bill Lothian is the rugby reporter for the Edinburgh Evening News.