Donnie's long road to freedom

A councillor who served the people of Lochgilphead and Mid Argyll for nearly 40 years has been recommended to receive the freedom of Argyll and Bute.

 

Donald MacMillan, better known as Donnie, was first elected by the area’s voters in 1984, serving on Strathclyde Regional Council and then Argyll and Bute District Council.

 

He was then elected to the Lochgilphead ward on Argyll and Bute’s inception in 1996, and latterly served as one of three councillors in the multi-member Mid Argyll ward.

 

He was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election as an independent candidate in May of this year – at the age of 94.

 

Mr MacMillan, who lives in Lochgilphead, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019 for his service to the community and to local government.

 

The prospect of him receiving the freedom of Argyll and Bute will be discussed at a meeting of the full council on Thursday, September 29.

 

Executive director Douglas Hendry said: 'Donnie has played a very active role at the council, sitting on a number of committees over the years including planning, licensing and latterly community services.

 

'His service to the council has included periods as depute provost, area committee vice-chair and depute policy lead, among other roles.

 

'He was also a committed member of the World War 1 commemoration steering group, which convened prior to 2014 to plan and prepare for the four-year centenary commemorations over the 2014 to 2018 period.

 

'He has also been active within many other organisations over the years, appointed to a number of outside bodies to represent the council and its communities.

 

'While he enjoyed his work on these outside organisations and his committee work, helping local people has always been the most important factor for Donnie in terms of his role as a councillor.

 

'His focus has remained on the local services that mattered to the people who lived and worked alongside him and he has been a staunch champion for local health and care services as well as those delivered by the local authority.

 

'Donnie is undoubtedly one of Lochgilphead’s most well-known faces, and the reason for this is linked inextricably to his priorities and approach as a councillor – helping local people and doing so by working with them face to face.

 

'Even just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Donnie could most often be found in Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig town centres, making sure that he was available and visible in the spaces that people use and ensuring that he was able to speak to them and deal with any queries face to face.'

 

Mr Hendry concluded: 'Donald MacMillan BEM has given decades of service to communities in Argyll and Bute as a local councillor.

 

'His dedication has been of a level to warrant receipt of a national honour from the Queen and he has dedicated many years of his life to helping the people of the community who live and work alongside him.

 

'Members of the council are invited to consider the request to confer the freedom of Argyll and Bute on Donald MacMillan BEM in recognition of his years of service.'

 

Only three other people have previously been given the freedom of Argyll and Bute by the current local authority – Grand Slam wheelchair tennis champion Gordon Reid, who received the honour in 2016, and former Provost Billy Petrie, who was given the freedom of the area in 2012 following his retiral after 45 years as a councillor.

 

Mr Petrie died on August 25, aged 94.

 

Patrick Stewart MBE also received the freedom of the area in May of this year for his 33 years’ service with the  Lieutenancy of Argyll and Bute, most recently as the area’s Lord-Lieutenant, a role from which he retired in July 2020.