Tributes paid to Councillor Robin Currie: "We thank you, for everything”
Colleagues and constituents have paid tribute to Islay councillor Robin Currie, a Deputy Leader of Argyll and Bute Council and the Lib Dem councillor for Kintyre and the Islands, who has died suddenly.
The local authority announced the news in a statement today (May 9).
It said: "With great sadness we learned this morning of the sudden passing of councillor Robin Currie.
"Robin served his beloved Islay, and Argyll and Bute more widely, for almost 40 years as a councillor with Argyll and Bute Council, and Argyll and Bute District Council before that.
"He held different roles during that time, contributing to policy and service delivery that supported life in Argyll and Bute in areas as vital as housing, Gaelic language and economic development.
"As well as a devoted local councillor, he took on Policy Lead roles, served as Leader of the Council from September 2020 to April 2024, and ultimately one of the Depute Leaders of the Council."
The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Oban South and the Isles’ SNP councillor Jim Lynch, said: “I am shocked and extremely saddened by Robin’s passing.
"It feels almost impossible to imagine the council without him. He was devoted to Islay, and his huge wealth of local government experience served Argyll and Bute well in so many different ways.
"He was an inspiration in standing up for the interests of the area, of our islands and of different aspects of life that make Argyll and Bute the place he loved and believed in.
"He wanted the best for Argyll and Bute, and worked tirelessly to achieve that. Whatever challenges he took on in the interest of our communities, he could always be relied on to bring welcome humour to situations.
"For many reasons, Argyll and Bute owes councillor Robin Currie heartfelt thanks. Robin – we thank you, for everything, and we’ll miss you.”
Chief Executive Pippa Milne added: “So much of Robin’s work was about raising Argyll and Bute’s interests at national level, but his focus always remained firmly on delivering benefit for our local communities. He cared about people and he cared about the council’s role in making life better for everyone. He will be greatly missed.”
Councillor Currie’s Co-Deputy Leader, Dunoon SNP councillor Audrey Forrest, said: "Very sad news. Didn’t always see eye to eye but he was a kind man with a wicked sense of humour and I’ll miss him."
His neighbouring South Kintyre SNP councillor John Armour, also a member of the council’s ruling Strategic Partnership, said: "I am very sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of my fellow councillor Robin Currie today. He was in great form at our Partnership meeting on Monday and will be greatly missed by all who knew and respected him as a person and in his work as a councillor."
Councillor Currie’s fellow Islay councillor, Dougie McFadzean (SNP), said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected passing of councillor Robin Currie. He was a well respected and long standing public servant. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends at this sad time."
Provost councillor Dougie Philand said: "On behalf of the council our deepest condolences to Robin’s family. To say he was a colossus in local government cannot be emphasised enough. His contribution to Argyll and Bute and to his beloved Islay in particular is something to be extremely proud of. He will be sorely missed in the chamber. Rest in peace our dear colleague."
Many islanders on Islay and Jura have also paid tribute to their veteran local councillor. "Very sad day for Islay," said one resident: "Robin was a much respected Ileach to worked tirelessly for his community."
"Robin was a lovely man and a great miss to the island," agreed a second. "Such a nice guy who always made time for people in the community," added a third. "He will be a great miss to his family and friends as well as the community he served for so many years," said a fourth.
On the Isle of Jura, a resident said: "In the past few years he was instrumental in saving The Community Flat in Jura Care Centre from budget cuts - a much needed provision of palliative care, hospital-transition-to-home, respite, resident’s visitor and fully disabled access facility for Jura."
Another islander added: "So very very sad to hear this, he was a great pal and did so much for Jura over the years. Always fought our corner whenever he could - big respect to one of the good guys."
Argyll and Bute’s SNP MSP Jenni Minto said: "It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of councillor Robin Currie, the Deputy Leader of Argyll and Bute Council. An Islay man through and through, Robin served his island and the wider community of Argyll for nearly 40 years.
"He was a councillor for Kintyre and the Islands, the ward in which I live, and his absence from Islay - which he did so much for - will be deeply felt across the community."
Brendan O’Hara, SNP MP for Argyll and Bute, added: "Really shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of the Deputy Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, councillor Robin Currie. Robin served his beloved Islay community for many, many years, most recently as the member for Kintyre and the Islands. Deepest condolences to his family and friends."
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