COUNCIL CHAMBER TRIBUTE FOR FORMER BUCHAN COUNCILLOR

Aberdeenshire Council paid tribute to former councillor Margo McRae at a meeting of the Full Council yesterday. Mrs McRae passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday.

Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson paid tribute on behalf of the council and expressed condolences to the family.

Cllr Anne Allan (Peterhead North & Rattray) spoke of Margo's long and distinguished record in local government as an SNP councillor, starting with the former Banff & Buchan District Council in 1988 representing Buchan North-east and then Aberdeenshire Council from 1995 where she represented the same Ward until 2003.

Speaking on behalf of the SNP Group, Cllr Anne Allan said:

"Margo was a great help to me when I was elected as a new councillor in 1999 with advice and assistance.

"I was privileged to work alongside her during my first term on the council. Margo was always good fun to be around and set about her council business with dedication and commitment. She will be sadly missed and our condolences go to her family at this time."

Speaking from Holyrood, Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

"Margo was a stalwart of the local SNP organisation and will be greatly missed not only by her friends within the party but also the many people who would turn up at various SNP fundraising events where she was ever-present with her homebakes sales table.

"My thoughts are with her family at this sad time."