New Deputy Lieutenants for the Western Isles
Lord-Lieutenant for the Western Isles, Iain Macaulay, has announced the appointment
of Christine Galbraith of Ardveenish, Isle of Barra and Margaret A MacKay of Ness,
Isle of Lewis as Deputy Lieutenants. Mrs. Galbraith fills a vacancy expected in
Barra & Vatersay with the retiral of Mrs. Elizabeth McAtear in October, who has served
as a Deputy Lieutenant since 1998 and as Vice Lord-Lieutenant since 2017. Miss MacKay
fills a vacancy expected in northern Lewis with the retiral of Annie MacSween MBE
in November, who has served as a Deputy Lieutenant since 2011.
Christine Galbraith is an active and well known member of the community in Barra
& Vatersay. She trained as a nurse in Glasgow before returning to Barra in the early
1980s, marrying and raising her family there. She has worked as a shop assistant
at A&C Maclean’s in Castlebay for the past 40 years, is the caretaker of St Barr’s
Church Hall, and is a member of the Church choir and active in other voluntary church
work.
Margaret MacKay has been Clerk to the Lord-Lieutenant since 2016 and will continue
as Clerk and Deputy Lieutenant. She is a solicitor and Director with Anderson MacArthur
in Stornoway and is also a Board member of the Harris Tweed Authority. She is also
involved in community activities in Ness, including Ness FC Social Club and Ness
Gala Day.
In congratulating both on their appointments, the Lord-Lieutenant said “I am delighted
to appoint Christine and Maggie as Deputy Lieutenants and I look forward to working
with them on behalf of the Lieutenancy. Their appointment recognises the valuable
contribution both make in their communities and they are well-placed to support the
Lieutenancy work in their locality and the wider Western Isles.”
Commenting on her appointment Christine said “It is a great honour for me to be
appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant and I look forward to supporting the Lord-Lieutenant
in carrying out his work in Barra & Vatersay and throughout the Lieutenancy area”
Maggie commented, “I am honoured to be appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant and be able
to support the various aspects of work the Lord-Lieutenant undertakes in the Western
Isles.”
