Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire

14/09/2026

Congratulations are in order for the Stonehaven and District Men’s Shed who recently celebrated winning the Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA) Shed of the Year 2026 award.

The award, a targe, was presented in the Shed by Dr Jason Schroeder, CE of SMSA to Duncan Cursiter Chair of Stonehaven Men’s Shed.

The award recognises the remarkable journey of Stonehaven Men’s Shed, which began in 2016 when volunteers transformed a neglected former Beach Pavilion into a thriving community hub. Now with more than 180 members, the Shed combines traditional crafts with modern technology, promotes wellbeing and sustainability, and plays an active role in the wider community. Its innovative prosthetics project has also helped provide around 600 prosthetic limbs to people in Africa.

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11/09/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new Deputy Lieutenants for Kincardineshire Mr Ian Finlayson, Mrs Victoria Dolin and Mrs Jillian Evans.

This is a fitting recognition of the outstanding contribution each of them makes to the Kincardineshire community. We look forward to all they will bring to this important role. Huge congratulations to Ian, Victoria and Jillian, a very well-deserved appointment.

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07/09/2026

We were delighted to see the Lieutenancy was well represented at last month’s Grampian Forest Rally by Deputy Lieutenant Gordon Ritchie MVO, who competed as co-driver alongside Graeme Morrison in an Opel Kadett. Gordon, from Catterline, has been rallying for over 40 years and was setting some cracking stage times with Graeme.

Using the spectacular forest stages of Durris, Fetteresso and Drumtochty, the rally formed part of both the British and Scottish Championships and attracted competitors and teams with World Championship connections from across the globe, including Ford and Toyota from the UK, Lancia from Italy and even a Chinese team.

Current WRC championship leader Elfyn Evans also attended, running as a course car in his Toyota, while the rally itself was won by Northern Ireland’s Jon Armstrong, a WRC competitor driving a Ford.

In exciting news Rally Scotland, the new Scottish round of the World Rally Championship, will take place in the Kincardineshire forests in September/October 2027, following the success of Grampian Forest Rally. It is set to be the largest motorsport event ever held in North East Scotland. As Honorary President of Stonehaven & District Motor Club, Gordon and the club are expected to play a leading role as the World Rally Championship. An incredibly exciting opportunity for the area and for motorsport in North East Scotland!

19/08/2026

Last November, Grenville Irvine-Fortescue (DL Aberdeenshire & Chairman of The Gordon Highlanders Association) was invited by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Alastair King DL, to the Royal Regiment of Scotland Fundraising Dinner at Mansion House.

The evening raised funds for the Regiment and its 20th Anniversary Statue, recently unveiled in Princes Street Gardens.

At The Gordon Highlanders Association Trustee meeting in March, it was proposed that the Association purchase a ‘leg’ of the statue – the Highland Root, representing Foundation, Lineage and Strength of the Past. It was felt this was a fitting reflection of the history and legacy of The Gordon Highlanders.

We are delighted that this contribution has not only been recognised, but has created a wonderful link to the Gordon Highlanders Museum, allowing visitors to discover the Regiment’s history and heritage.

This is a fantastic outcome for them and one we can be proud of in Kincardineshire as a lasting legacy for our veterans and future generations.

🔗 Read more about the Royal Regiment of Scotland Statue:

The bronze lion was developed from early clay maquettes and will rest on a stone plinth composed of six sections, each representing one of the six historic Scottish Army Regiments that merged two decades ago to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The project has been nearly three years in the makin...

10/08/2026

50th Anniversary Stonehaven Highland Games.

We are delighted that John Cruickshank was able to attend the 50th anniversary of the Stonehaven Highland Games. What a fantastic day celebrating with blue skies and glorious sunshine on the pitches of Mackie Academy.

John had the pleasure of making his way round the arena with the Stonehaven Highland Games Chairman, Roger Barnett Jnr, speaking to as many competitors as they could.

This was an extra special occasion for the Barnett family, as Roger Barnett Snr, founder of the Highland Games, was appointed Chieftain and had the honour of officially opening the games. We would like to pass on our congratulations for this appointment and all the hard work the Barnett family (along with others) have put into making the games what it is today.

There was a particularly special moment captured of five generations of the Barnett family to add to a great day.

Here’s to the next 50 years of the Stonehaven Highland Games.

16/06/2026

This is a first in my time as Lord Lieutenant to have a 70th Wedding Anniversary, which was held at Inchmarlo. Betty and Doug are both at Inchmarlo and Claire Maitland VLL MBE went across to join the celebrations. The staff make such an effort to make these special occasions.

16/06/2026

To have the Scottish arm of the British Legion in Banchory once was special. To have them back the next year, this year, again says a lot about the local Community around the Legion. Sadly i was away this year but Claire Maitland VLL MBE was there.
The Banchory Legion is so well run and supported. They run so many events and support the Community in so many ways. +

30/03/2026

Kincardineshire couple, Bill and Merlyn Smith, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 19th March 2026.
Bill (W. G. Smith, Slater & Cement Worker) was born at Arbuthnott and Merlyn (nee Silver) was born near Newtonhill. The wedding ceremony took place at Fetteresso Church, with a reception in the Mill Inn, Stonehaven.
They are from farming backgrounds but have lived, in the same house, in Stonehaven for all but the first two years of their marriage. They have three children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr and Mrs Smith were delighted to be visited by Gordon Ritchie MVO DL to mark their special day.

12/03/2026

There are occasions that I will remember well after the day.
44th Royal Marine Commandos Alexander (Sandy) Findlay Cameron Calder 100th Birthday 4th March 2026.
He served in Burma and the Japanese U-GO offensive and Landings in Myebon and Hill 170.
He has not lost any of his character and laugh. I was very please that fellow Marines, Family and Friends could all be there to celebrate with him. Sandy's Great Grand Daughter, and Family, who live in Australia made it over to helped cut the cake.

12/01/2026

Paws for Plastic has become another wonderful Stonehaven Community led asset. A Charity set up less than 5 yrs ago, but now with 29,000 Facebook followers. Marion Montgomery was invited to No10 to discuss what she is doing. So, the MBE of community awards the Kings Award Voluntary Service, KAVS, was awarded to Paws for Plastic in the Kings Birthday Honours. On Sunday 11th January in the Stonehaven Scouts hut, I had the privilege of Presenting the KVAS to Marion.
With Community buy-in from residents, schools and other supporters this has meant Paws for Plastic has grown quickly. The word has got out and is spreading across Scotland and further afield. Over a ton of Plastic was been picked up last year. The impact is very visible and with more storms sadly comes more waste from the sea.