New Deputy Lord Lieutenant appointed

Kenny Maclennan of Callanish has been announced as a deputy lieutenant of the Western Isles.

He fills a vacancy created by the passing of Simon Fraser in 2016.

Mr Maclennan, who was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2007 for services to the local community, is a retired local government officer who spend 33 years with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

He is currently a part time inspector and stamper with the Harris Tweed Authority and an active crofter.

The native Gaelic speaker was born and brought up in Callanish and attended Breasclete and the Nicolson Institute schools before studying civil engineering at Napier College in Edinburgh.

He is actively involved in several community groups and is the current chair of Breasclete Community Association, Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh (Carloway Estate Trust) and East Loch Roag Historical Society, as well as member of Breasclete Community Council.

Married with a grown-up family of four, he and his wife Joan who is from South Uist, have five grandchildren.

Lord-Lieutenant for the Western Isles, Donald Martin, said: “I am delighted to appoint Kenny John as a deputy lieutenant and I look forward to working with him on behalf of the Lieutenancy.”

He hailed Mr Maclennan’s “strong background and wide experience in community activities” highlighting the appointment recognises his “valuable contribution” to community development and voluntary work.”

Mr Maclennan said: “It is a great honour for me to become part of the Lieutenancy team and I look forward to working with the Lord-Lieutenant, his deputies and clerk. It is also very humbling to replace Simon Fraser, who was a friend and a very well-respected gentleman not only in our own community but throughout the Western Isles.”

The Western Isles Lieutenancy comprises the Lord-Lieutenant who is the Queen’s representative in the area. He is supported by vice Lord-Lieutenant Elizabeth McAtear and up to a maximum of 10 deputies plus lieutenancy clerk, Margaret Mackay.

New Deputy Lord Lieutenant appointed

20 July 2020