Former Highland Convener Dies Aged 77

Former Convener of Highland Regional Council, Duncan McPherson, died last night in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, at the age of 77.  Duncan is survived by his wife, Vivian, son Niall, and daughter Lynne.  He has three grandchildren.
 
He was awarded the CBE for services to local government over 31 years.
 
Born in Santos in Brazil, Mr McPherson was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen University, in preparation for a career in farming. His military service saw him trained as a jet pilot with the RAF.
 
Mr McPherson joined local government in 1968 and he served as burgh treasurer with Cromarty Town Council during his six year stint there. He also served on Ross on Cromarty County Council during this time.
 
In 1974, he was elected to Highland Regional Council and he served as Vice-Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee between 1977-78 and Chairman of this Committee between 1978-86.
 
Between 1986-90, he was Vice-Convener and between 1990-1996, he was Convener of the Council.  He served on The Highland Council between 1995-99. He was Vice-President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities between 1990-92.
 
He also served as  Chairman of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority and was Chairman of the Scottish Council Development and Industry – Highland Area. He was also a main board member of Scottish Natural Heritage and a member of the European Parliament’s Committee of the Regions.

As a young man in Aberdeenshire, he was an accomplished rugby player and had trials for Scotland while playing for Gordonians. His other leisure interests were golf and curling.  He was president and a former captain of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club.  In 1993, he was Scottish senior curling champion.

Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, paid tribute to Mr McPherson’s outstanding public service over three decades.

He said: “For the first four years of my service on The Highland Council, I sat beside Duncan in the Council Chamber and, as a new councillor, I appreciated greatly all the advice he gave me. He was an energetic and very effective councillor, whose leadership and drive helped achieve so much for the Highlands.   He took a great interest in the environment and the economy and promoted the Highland cause at every opportunity. Such was his appetite for work that he always found time to represent his local community. Our sympathies at this time are extended to his wife and family.”