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Former Lochaber area manager is made an MBE

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A retired senior figure at Highland Council who is a passionate advocate of rural issues was made a MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

John Hutchison, who lives at Banavie, Fort William, gained the accolade for his services to the environment and the community in the Highlands and islands.

Mr Hutchison, 66, a former area manager at the local authority, is now chairman of both the John Muir Trust and Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust.

He is also a director of Community Land Scotland, executive director of Nevis Partnership and chairman of trustees of the West Highland Museum.

He said: “I was surprised when I heard I had been nominated and found it quite touching.

“It is both humbling and encouraging to know that the people I work with in the community feel that my contribution is worthwhile.”

Mr Hutchison was the divisional road engineer in Lochaber with Highland Regional Council for 21 years until 1995 and then, for 12 years until retiring in 2007, was the Lochaber area manager for Highland Council, where he was responsible for all council services.

This included community development and he gained a commendation from Audit Scotland for his work on community planning.

He has advised high profile political campaigns, such as the Belford Hospital and the A82 campaigns.

Since retiring, he has been involved in a wide range of community work.

Mr Hutchison has been deeply involved in the community land movement for almost 20 years, particularly in Eigg and Knoydart.

He served a three-year period as a local adviser to Scottish Natural Heritage, during which he was a nominated director on the Isle of Rum Community Trust.

Scotland’s first Rural Parliament will take place towards the end of 2014 and Mr Hutchison chairs Scottish Rural Action, which is the Scottish Rural Parliament Management Group.

He has also been a Justice of the Peace for 28 years and is an Honorary Sheriff.

And, as Iain MacUisdein, he was vice-convener of the Royal Lochaber National Mod in 2007 and has competed in a number of gold medal finals.