Duncan McLean dies three days after brain tumour diagnosis

Duncan McLean died from a previously undiagnosed brain tumour. Picture: Gordon Fraser

Duncan McLean, from Gullane, East Lothian, went to hospital last Thursday after suffering from a crippling headache.

Duncan, who played rugby for his local team as recently as last month, slipped into a coma and passed away on Sunday.

His sudden death has left his family, friends and the local community devastated.

The former Loretto School pupil was a keen all-round sportsman who played hockey, rugby, cricket and even medalled at the Scottish National Judo Championships aged 11.

Nigel Bidgood, Loretto depute headteacher, said: “It is very difficult to talk about – Duncan was one of my pupils for many years and I know his family very well.

“He went into hospital with a headache and they found a tumour half the size of his brain. He went into a coma and died the next day.

“The tumour just grew very quickly. The entire community is devastated and he will be hugely missed by absolutely everyone who knew him.

“It has had a fairly big effect on pupils, and I imagine we will hold a memorial service for him in our chapel.

“Duncan was a very talented mathematician. He achieved the highly coveted A* grades in his A Level mathematics and further mathematics, together with a B in physics.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Duncan’s family at this most difficult time.”

After graduating from Loretto in 2013, Duncan received many offers from top universities and decided to study maths at Bristol.

He was a member of North Berwick Rugby Club, where he had represented the 1st XV side as recently as February 6.

Club president Iain Dove also paid tribute to the popular sportsman, saying: “Duncan was a lovely lad and a real asset to the team. He was just keen to play so made himself available for anywhere in the back five.

“He was always smiling and was learning from our coaches and growing into a very  talented player.

“He had a bright future ahead of him, whatever he had chosen to do, and we are all distraught over his untimely death.”

Grant Spence, the club’s 1st XV captain, added: “On behalf of the players I’d like to say how shocked and saddened we were to hear the news about Duncan.

“We are a really tight group of guys and to lose one of our own so suddenly is heartbreaking.

“When he wasn’t away studying he would be at every training session, was happy to play whenever he was asked to on a Saturday and would always put in 100 per cent. He was a really decent guy.”

His sisters, Annabelle and Libby, both changed their Facebook profile pictures to photos of Duncan when he was younger.