Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire

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.

11/01/2026

11/12/2025

09/12/2025

One of the Royal Families special occasions was on Friday 6th Dec the Princess of Wales Carol Service. The Lieutenancies are lucky to be asked to invite a few every year, along a tight brief.
We do get some wonderful touching message back from those that go and why it was timely and inspiring to them. Also the guests rub shoulders with a great collection of people.

08/12/2025

Ian and Margaret Emslie this weekend Celebrated their Diamond Wedding. Wedding Party was a great success, with about 20 of their friends and family there. They all went to lunch in Gourdon for fish and chips afterwards - Victoria Willis DL was rather envious!

08/12/2025

On the 13th June Sandra Galbraith was awarded BEM (British Empire Medal). On the 16th November I had the privilege of Presenting the award to her with Family and Friends at Benholm Castle, thanks you Roddy and Fiona for opening your house for the Presentation.
Sandra has for 40 years taught country dance in the Shire. There are few who don’t know her and the manner of calling the dances with such encouragement for the young and old who have joined her classes. Additionally, the many events she has assisted promoting country dance.

08/12/2025

Congratulations to Mr Albert (Bert)and Mrs Moira McIntosh, Crathes, on 30th Oct 2026 on there Diamond Wedding. Family and Friends came from far and wide to help them Celebrate the occasion. Claire Maitland VLL and myself were delighted to join them and be there for the opening of the Card from His Majesty.
Bert and Families significant contribution to our Community is well known and is done with all our thanks.

18/11/2025

Remembrance Sunday is a special date in our diaries - Lest we Forget.
In Kincardineshire we laid 7 wreaths around the Shire. I was in Stonehaven again this year. The Legion and Community Council and a load of helpers lay on a fitting occasions. The gather in the Town Square, the March to Dunnottar Church led by the Dunnottar Pipes and drums for the Service if Remembrance, the March back to town, The laying of the Wreath at the War Memorial and finally back to the Legion for a well deserved Lunch.
On arrival at the War Memorial was bright but breezy 30 min later winter set in!!! Veterans, Cadets, Scouts and Guides, Officials and locals though marked the occasion wonderfully.

18/11/2025

“PAWS on Plastic", a charity run by volunteers and based in Stonehaven, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. Many Congratulations.

This is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The charity which has a membership/following of over 28,000 across the UK and over 70 countries worldwide, encourages dog owners to pick up a few pieces of litter on walks to protect animals, communities and the environment, removing over 41 million pieces every year.
The charity runs monthly beach cleans and arranges litter picks for schools, community groups and businesses. It also educates on the consequences of littering through visits, talks and community events and is the only charity spreading an environmental message through people’s love for animals.
Paws on Plastic is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday.
Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a group providing unique flying experiences for people with disabilities in Hampshire. A group providing support to veterans and their families across Welsh Valley communities; a group running a museum and nonprofit railway In Belfast, preserving Northern Ireland’s railway heritage.
Representatives of Paws on Plastic will receive the award’s crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire Mr Alastair Macphie, in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from Paws on Plastic will attend a Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace in July 2026.

Paws on Plastic founder and Chair Marion Montgomery said: “I am absolutely delighted and extremely honoured that our charity’s work has been recognised in this way. This award comes almost exactly a week before our 7th birthday on November 20.
”I never could have imagined when I started a Facebook group 7 years ago, while on long term sick leave from teaching that it would grow into a charity with 28,000 amazing volunteers picking up litter on dog walks that would receive such a prestigious award!
”Many of our volunteers have since gone on to form their own local litter picking groups which is amazing. A huge thanks to Jennifer Macdonald who nominated us and submitted the application. Thanks too to our brilliant trustees, both present and past, who have supported the charity over the years.
”Most of all we’re absolutely delighted that this award highlights the amazing individual work of all our volunteers who remove a phenomenal amount of litter in their communities every year simply simply while walking their dogs.
”We hope that many more are inspired to join us and make NOT dropping litter and picking some up when we can, a normal part of an everyday dog walk.’’”