Colin Cruickshank worked in the Department of Physical Education at the University of Edinburgh. In 1986, during the Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, he was the Venue Controller of the shooting HQ that was accommodated in his department. The Sports Hall was turned into the Air Weapons Range and Cruickshank asked the Works Department for one of the cloth banners which had been made for the University's Quatercentenary three years prior. After the Games ended, the banner was kept in his office until he retired.