Annie thanked for ‘exceptional’ service to the Crown
1 December 2024
Annie Macsween has retired after 13 years of dedicated service to the Western Isles Lieutenancy, a role which saw her support three Lord Lieutenants in their role as the Monarch’s representative.
Annie’s final duties as deputy lieutenant were undertaken at the Ness and Borve Remembrance services last month.
Annie’s lieutenancy service began in March 2011 when she was appointed by the then Lord Lieutenant Sandy Matheson.
A community stalwart for over 40 years, Annie gives her considerable knowledge, skills and energy to enhance and promote the Gaelic language and preserve the cultural heritage of the Ness area in particular. She played a pivotal role in the establishment of the national award winning Comunn Eachdraidh Nis museum of which she is honorary president.
In 2023 she was made an MBE for her services to the Gaelic language.
Other national awards included a Gaelic Awards Lifetime Award for her work on local history and an honorary fellowship from the UHI. Many awards were given in recognition of her formidable and selfless service to many organisations over the years.
To mark her retirement the Lord-
Retired Lord Lieutenant Donald Martin who served with Annie in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in the early 1980s, and was a colleague of hers during her 13 years as a deputy lieutenant said: “This marks the end of a remarkable era which will be greatly missed by the many organisations which have benefitted from Annie’s considerable talents, boundless energy and innovative contributions for five decades.
“Her leadership and influence have impacted a wide range of educational, cultural, heritage and social developments at both local and national levels, where her contributions have been immeasurable, cha phaigh taing thu, Anna.”
Lord Lieutenant Iain Macaulay concluded: “For many years, Annie has given exceptional service to both the Western Isles community and the Crown, representing the lieutenancy at both local and national events.
“A native Gaelic speaker, she never missed an opportunity to raise the profile of the language; on one occasion speaking to the late Queen in her native tongue when she had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Windsor Castle.