Former Highland MSP Sir Jamie McGrigor dies aged 75

Sir Jamie McGrigor was a Conservative MSP for the Highlands until 2016 but continued as a councillor.

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The Highlands

Former Conservative MSP for the Highlands, Sir Jamie McGrigor, has died at the age of 75.

McGrigor was elected to the first devolved Scottish parliament in 1999 and was a long-standing leading figure in the Scottish Conservative party.

He was a Conservative MSP for 17 years and then a councillor for the South Oban and Islands Ward of Argyll and Bute in 2016.

Posting on social media, John Swinney said he was “very sorry” to hear of the former MSP’s passing.

“We came from different political traditions and often held opposing views, but as an MSP, Jamie was a warm, engaging presence and was deeply committed to the Highlands and Islands.

“My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Born in London in 1949, McGrigor went to primary school in Argyll and attended Eton College in Windsor.

He was described as having a passion for fishing and was a sheep and cattle farmer for 30 years before becoming an MSP.

He also worked in the financial and shipping sectors in both Glasgow and London.

Throughout his political career McGrigor was a spokesperson on the environment, fisheries and climate change as well as a former member of the European & External Affairs Committee.

McGrigor announced he would be standing down as an MSP in 2016 but as a councillor, he intended “to keep representing Highland and Island views right up until my retirement”.