New Lord Lieutenant

The Queen has appointed Donald Martin as the new Lord Lieutenant for Western Isles.

Mr Martin succeeds Sandy Matheson who retired from the role this month.

Harris-born Mr Martin lives in Stornoway. He was appointed clerk to the lieutenancy in 1997. In 2002 he was appointed a deputy lieutenant and is currently vice Lord Lieutenant for the Western Isles.

He has worked in a variety of posts within the civil service, Highlands and Islands Development Board and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Mr Martin was chairman of the Harris Tweed Authority from 2007 to 2013 and has been chairman of Gaelic publishing company, Acair, since 2008.

He has participated in local, national and European seminars on minority languages, especially during his time as Secretary of the UK and Scottish Committees of the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages.

Mr Martin is a fluent Gaelic speaker and regular contributor to Gaelic radio and TV programmes.

New Lord Lieutenant appointed for Western Isles

30 November 2016