Depute Provost Councillor Jan Brown said:
“It is with such huge sadness that we learned of the passing of Councillor Dougie Philand. He has been part of the council for such a long time that it is very difficult to imagine it without him.
Dougie served Argyll and Bute through varied roles as a councillor and did so with dedication and determination to deliver the best for his area. More than that, he did everything with a smile, warmth and kindness which were welcome in all circumstances.
Even in dealing with prolonged illness, Dougie maintained his characteristic positivity, determined to fight on and to keep smiling.
We will miss Dougie for his experience, insight and positive nature, and will remember him with thanks and gratitude for his years of dedication and hard work for Argyll and Bute.”
Douglas Trevor Philand, or Dougie, served the Mid Argyll area as a local councillor for 19 years, and latterly held the office of Provost of Argyll and Bute.
Dougie worked in local mental health services for almost four decades, becoming service manager for children’s and adolescent mental health services for Argyll and Bute prior to retiral. It is therefore no surprise, given his career history, that he remained a highly knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate advocate for mental health services for all.
As well as his council service, Dougie’s sense of community pride and spirit was second to none, and he supported numerous local organisations in Mid Argyll as a trustee, board member or cheerleader for many years. These included Auchindrain Township, the Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Argyll and Bute Children’s Befrienders, and local mental health support groups.
Sport was another passion for Dougie, who played rugby locally for 17 years and was also a keen lawn bowler.
During his council service he served on numerous committees, including Community Services and the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee. He was extremely politically astute and well able to balance the wider needs of the area along with the many requests for support he received from local people. All received his undivided attention and the very best assistance that he could give them.
He was proud and honoured to become Provost in 2024 and took great pride in his duties, whether ably chairing council meetings or meeting people around Argyll and Bute. He was extremely skilled at both and had a real knack for giving the warmest of welcomes to everyone he encountered.
Dougie was a well-kent face around Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig and the wider Mid Argyll area, always keen to support local events. He always appeared with a wide smile and a keen enthusiasm to take part, with gusto and often a little mischief, in whatever fun and activities were on offer.
In recent years Dougie had coped with prolonged illness, but did so with his characteristic good cheer and positivity, determined to fight on and to keep smiling.
That positive attitude, cheery smile and, most of all, his tremendous kindness, will be remembered by all who knew and worked with Dougie.
Photo courtesy of Kevin McGlynn
