Death of former Highland Councillor Olwyn Macdonald

Long serving former Highland councillor for Lochaber, Olwyn Joyce Macdonald has died at home at the age of 78. Born in Torquay and educated in Exeter, Mrs Macdonald moved to Lochaber and made a major contribution to local politics in the Highlands between 1989 and 2007, showing a particular interest in housing and social work issues.

Her late second husband, Iain “Dubh” Macdonald, was also a prominent councillor.  He died in January 2001.

Olwyn entered local government in 1989 as a member of Lochaber District Council after serving as Chairman of Caol Community Council and treasurer of the Caol Community Centre Management Committee.  She then went on to serve on Highland Regional Council between 1990-96 and The Highland Council between 1995 – 2007.

She was chairman of The Highland Council’s Social Work Committee between 1999-2001 and served as vice-chairman of the Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee between 2001-2007.

She also served as Convener of the Council’s Lochaber Area Committee between 1999-2007 and took a lead on developing deaf services throughout the Highlands.

Council Convener Sandy Park paid tribute to Mrs Macdonald’s outstanding service to local government.

He said: “Olwyn was a hugely popular and hard working member of the council. She always had her local community at heart and always fought very hard and with passion for what she thought was right. She did so much good work for the community she served and for the wider Highlands, through her specialist interest in social work and housing issues. She will be sorely missed by her colleagues and our thoughts at this time are with her family.”

Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of the Council’s Administration, said: “I had the pleasure of knowing Olwyn for many 30 years. She was a deeply caring person, a very conscientious councillor and great fun to be with.  She was a most formidable lady who was respected right across the political spectrum thanks to her sense of fairness and the tenacity with which she tackled issues she felt passionately about. So many people will be saddened by her loss.”

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, said:  “Olwyn was a great champion of social work over the years.  Olwyn had Lochaber branded on her heart  and right up until the end she was actively trying to represent her community, with talks planned for later in the week to discuss the future of the Caol Community Centre. She was a remarkable lady.”

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