LEN MURRAY
Len Murray is a former
Scottish solicitor widely recognised as one of the country's top after-dinner speakers. He has been variously described as: "hilarious", "incredibly funny", "brilliant", "highly entertaining", "superb", "great" and "side-splitting".
He is vastly experienced in corporate and sporting events of all kinds and is a former winner of the prestigious Wag of the Year competition, is a Glaswegian by birth though he now lives in Milngave. He practiced as a solicitor for over forty years in the Scottish Courts and built up one of the most respected law practices in the country. He was once described by a High Court judge as "the most respected pleader of his generation." His colleagues nicknamed him ‘The Silver Fox’ though they could never be persuaded to say why.
Len was appointed the first ever media spokesman for the Law Society of Scotland in litigation matters and in that capacity he appeared regularly on radio and television over the years where his views were sought on a wide range of topics. They were, however, according to him, seldom heeded. He still makes occasional contributions on radio, television and in the press.
He served on many of the professional bodies connected with the practice of the law and for some years he was Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Law Society of Scotland. He was also a member of the part-time staff of Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities and for some 16 years was a guest lecturer at the Scottish Police College Tulliallan.
He has been a prominent after-dinner speaker for many years and has spoken throughout the country and abroad. In May 2000 he was invited to take part in the prestigious Wag of the Year competition which he won. Accordingly he is the holder of the title wag of the Year 2000.
He is widely regarded as an expert on Robert Burns and has spoken on Burns in many countries — from Edmonton, Alberta in the West to Singapore in the East. He is an Honorary President of Greenock Burns Club, the oldest Burns Club in the world and an Honorary Life Member of that Club.
He has spoken in presence of HRH the Prince Edward and along with a vast number of celebrities from different walks of life: Billy Connolly, Tommy Docherty, Denis Law, Jimmy Greaves, Ian St John, Denis Taylor, John Virgo, David Mellor, Andy Cameron, Johnny Beattie, Bill Barclay, Dean Park, Lord Macdonald, Lord McCluskey, Sir David Steele, Sir Tom Farmer and many others.
"I can honestly say that yours was the very best after dinner speech I have ever heard. I certainly had high expectations of your performance but these were exceeded." Calum MacDonald, President, NSCA Council.
"I have never known a speaker to captivate an audience quite so effectively." Laura Barker, TDI Advertising
A selection of reviews of Len Murray's Corporate and Sporting Event speeches:
"Len Murray.....................consummate after-dinner speaker" James Freeman, The Herald
".........................by far the funniest after-dinner speaker on the Scottish circuit." Wasim Zakeer, Good Morning Scotland
“Your personal contribution to the success last night was nothing short of magnificent. Every table I visited had nothing but admiration for your wit and skill of delivery. Len, clearly your 'wee turn' made the night”. Crawford Gorrie, President, Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders
“Len delighted the audience with a superb range of anecdotes not only about golf but he also wove a wonderful tapestry illustrating the comical differences between his native Glasgow and the other city Edinburgh. Len will be most welcome at future Scottish Golf Classics dinners and we look forward to hearing more from him”.Ian McCaig, Ayrshire Golf Classics
“For the past eight years we have been fortunate enough to have had excellent speakers but never have we had the response that we had to yourself from our audience. It was nothing short of side-splitting joy to listen to you! We have been inundated by request to have you back next year - let's talk!” Michael & Mhairi Canning, St Margaret's Youth Group
"I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how well Len Murray went down at our Gala Dinner at the annual Scottish and Northern Vascular Meeting. His delivery and timing was an art to witness! Rarely has anyone been so well received at this event, Please do pass our thanks and appreciation to Len and I hope I will have another event in the not too distant future where we can enjoy him once more." Phyllis Tait, W.L. Gore Associates (UK) Ltd
"I don't know how to begin to thank you. Your presentation on the night was stunning." Tom Rowatt, Secretary, Strathclyde Joint Branch Board Scottish Police Federation
"Thank you for your presence and contribution. It was very much appreciated by all present. The encores still resound!" J Grant Carson, Chairman, English Speaking Union
"You were the star of the show. I loved every moment of it - but it's the way you tell them!" Kenneth W Pritchard, The Secretary, The Law Society of Scotland
"Thank you very much indeed for your excellent speech.....You made a huge contribution to a very successful night for charity. C K Oliver, Chairman, Scottish Region, The Lord's Taverners