A community stalwart of Fort William has been bestowed with the Freedom of Lochaber.
Colin Neilson, who has served the area for more than 40 years, was given the prestigious honour on Sunday.
The title of “Freeman” is only very rarely presented by the Highland Council to residents in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Presenting the Freedom at a small ceremony of family and friends, Highland Council’s Lochaber leader Thomas MacLennan said: “Colin is a well-known and respected Fort William resident who has carried out a significant number of roles in local government, health and sport sectors, on local, national and international stages.
“His unstinting enthusiasm and dedication have contributed greatly to local government, healthcare and sport in the Lochaber area and beyond.
“Not many people can claim to have served their community for more than 40 years, and it is in recognition of this service that The Highland Council is pleased and honoured to confer the Freedom of Lochaber to Colin Neilson.”
Elected to Fort William Town Council in 1971, Mr Neilson juggled this with his role as a life-appointed Justice of the Peace, and as a member of the local health council. During this time he also helped establish the Fort William Football Club, becoming its first chairman.
In 1975 he became an elected member with the new Lochaber District Council, becoming the chairman of the leisure and recreation committee, and then chairman of the district council from 1982 to 1988.
Between 1981 and 1991 Mr Neilson was a board member, and subsequently chairman, of Alcoholics Anonymous for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as chairman of Alcoholics Anonymous European Services Committee.
In 1988 he was appointed to the Highland Health Board, becoming its vice chairman in 1999.
Throughout the period, he also held a number of other appointments, including board member of Highland Opportunity Limited; member of the Fishermen’s Mission Council; member of the North of Scotland Electricity Consumers’ Committee and in 2000 he was appointed to the National Appeal Panel for entry to Pharmaceutical Lists.
