A new lord lieutenant has been appointed for Banffshire.
Brigadier Hugh Monro was bestowed the honour at a ceremony in Ballindalloch yesterday.
His main role will be to support current Lord Lieutenant Clare Russell in carrying out her duties as the Queen’s representative.
Mr Monro served in the British Army for 36 years and saw action in Northern Ireland (eight operational tours), Germany, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and Iraq.
He commanded 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1994 and then the newly-formed 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforths, Gordons and Camerons).
Promoted to Brigadier in 1998, he commanded the 52nd Lowland Brigade based in Edinburgh Castle.
It was during this three-year tour that he led the operation to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease from Scotland – successfully carried out in less than six weeks.
In 2009, he was selected to be Her Majesty’s Chief of Prisons for Scotland and over the next four years highlighted for need for significant reform in Scotland’s prisons.
He is currently Chairman of the Scottish Prison Service Advisory Board.
Mr Monro was Colonel of The Highlanders 2001 to 2006 and is currently Honorary Colonel of 51st Highland, 7th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Brigadier Monro and and his wife Catriona live in Banffshire and have three daughters.
The Lord Lieutenant presented Mr Monro with his commission during a special luncheon given at Pitchroy Lodge.
Mrs Russell said: “I am delighted that Brigadier Munro has joined the Banffshire Lieutenancy team and look forward very much to working with him.
“He will be a huge asset to the county.”
