New appointments to Western Isles Lieutenancy

Katie Ann Mackinnon from Harris and Alasdair MacEachen from Benbecula have been appointed as Deputy Lieutenants.

Mrs Mackinnon, who was born in Husinish but lives in Stockinish has been employed for the past 30 years in the CAB office in Harris where she is currently part-time manager as well as deputy manager of the Lewis & Harris CAB, and part time Administrator with the Western Isles Community Care Forum.

She has served on the North Harris Community Council, the Sir E Scott School Board and Parent Council and has served as a Justice of the Peace. She is currently a member of the Locality Planning Group and Secretary of the Bays of Harris Steering Group.

Alasdair MacEachen from Aird, Benbecula has been employed with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar since 1975 and held the posts of Trainee Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Health Officer and Assistant Director of Environmental Services until he transferred to his current post of Head of Devolved Services (Uist and Barra).

He has been involved with several voluntary/community bodies and is currently the Chairman of the Islands Book Trust, a member of the National Trust for Scotland, St Kilda Club and the Highlands and Islands Regional Group of the National Trust.

The Lord-Lieutenant has also announced that Margaret Mackay from South Dell takes over as Clerk to the Lieutenancy from Donald Martin who has held the post for the past 18 years.

Miss Mackay is currently a Director with Anderson Macarthur, Solicitors, Stornoway and qualified as a Solicitor from Glasgow University in 2012.

She is currently Chair of Iomairt Ghàidhlig Iar Thuath Leòdhais (North West Lewis Gaelic Initiative) and a former member of Ness Community Council, and Company Director of Urras Oighreachd Chabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust).

In welcoming the new appointments, the Lord-Lieutenant commented: “ I welcome Katie Ann and Alasdair as Deputy Lieutenants and with their appointments all the islands in the Western Isles are now represented on the Lieutenancy.

“The new appointments bring community experience and wide voluntary representation to the Lieutenancy and I wish them well in their new roles.

“Margaret takes over as Clerk from Donald Martin who has served as the Lieutenancy Clerk for the past 18 years and I am greatly indebted to him for his contribution as Clerk to the Lieutenancy for nearly two decades.

“I am sure that Margaret will be a worthy successor and I look forward to working with her.”