A former Mid Argyll councillor is to be awarded the Freedom of Argyll and Bute in recognition of almost four decades of service to the local community.
Donald MacMillan BEM, or Donnie as he is more commonly known, represented the residents and communities of Argyll and Bute as a local independent councillor for almost 40 years. Often cited as one of Scotland’s oldest, longest serving elected members, his service as a councillor concluded in May this year aged 94.
At a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council today, members agreed to award Donnie the Freedom of Argyll and Bute for the commitment, hard work and dedication he has shown the local community over the years, both through his role as a councillor and his service on other organisations.
Leader of Argyll and Bute Council Robin Currie said: “Donnie is an extremely well-known and well-respected member of the local community, and he has shown true dedication as a councillor ever since he was first elected to serve on Strathclyde Regional Council and Argyll and Bute District Council, prior to the reorganisation of Scottish local government in 1996.
“Donnie has served on numerous council committees over the years, and has had an active role within many other external organisations, representing the council and its communities. Helping local people is always at the forefront of everything Donnie does, and his focus has remained on the services that mattered to the people who lived and worked alongside him.
“Donnie is undoubtedly one of Lochgilphead’s most well-known faces and although his service as a local councillor concluded in May 2022, he is still out and about in his home town nearly every day and remains rightly proud of his time as one of Scotland’s oldest and longest serving local councillors. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient of the Freedom of Argyll and Bute than Donnie and it is a great privilege for the council to bestow this prestigious title upon him.”