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| Tributes follow death of former Lord Lieutenant 21 March 2006 | |
| FAMILY of the late Lord Gray of Contin paid tribute yesterday to a man who has been described as a son of Inverness. A prominent member of the Conservative Party and former Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, Lord Gray died aged 78 at the Highland Hospice on Tuesday. Reflecting on a career which took his father from the local council to the House of Lords, David Gray said the family were very proud of his achievements. "He was first and foremost a Highlander and always remained true to his roots, " he said. "Above all he was a great family man. He always said he would never leave Inverness and felt very strongly about sticking to his roots - something that was reflected in his appointment as Lord Lieutenant." Educated at Inverness Royal Academy, Lord Gray began his his long and successful political career as Hamish Gray, councillor for Drumnadrochit. As a Conservative MP, he held the seat for Ross and Cromarty from 1970 to 1983 during which time he was appointed energy minister and Lord's assistant to the Treasury. Under the boundary changes, and standing for the new Ross, Cromarty and Skye constituency, he was defeated by a 23-year-old Charles Kennedy. This was followed within a matter of days by a life peerage and an appointment to the post of Scottish minister with special responsibility for energy, agriculture and fisheries. His son cited the piloting of a private members Bill bringing about improvements for mentally handicapped children in Scotland as one of his proudest achievements. Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said his dealings with Lord Gray were always conducted on the basis of mutual respect and trust. "Public life is the poorer for his passing, " he added. "I extend my sincere condolences to his widow, Lady Gray, and all his family." Outside politics, Lord Gray was widely known among the sporting communities of Inverness as a member of the Highland Rugby Club and a keen cricketer playing for Northern Counties from 1948 to 1965. He was also a life-member of Inverness Golf Club. During his term as Lord Lieutenant, he saw Inverness named as one of the three new cities in Britain after a competition to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. |
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