It was 50 years ago today (15th July 1970) that my mother took this snapshot outside the McEwan Hall, Edinburgh, where I had just graduated in law. Subsequent generations may find it surprising that in those days it was not thought ‘cool’ to turn up for your graduation, but most of us did anyway – not least for our parents’ benefit. At the time we probably took too much for granted, but I’ll always be grateful to my parents for encouraging me and, together with Somerset County Council, for supporting me financially. I hope they felt it was worth it. Looking back, I learnt much more during my three years at Edinburgh than I thought I had at the time and my experiences and friendships, many of which have endured to this day, have sustained me over the last fifty years.