Hamish Wood of Inverness, a man of compassion, action and public service, has died aged 78.
He was a Liberal Democrat councillor on Highland Council for 10 years, had been vice-principal of Inverness College, and helped bring the Dalai Lama to the north of Scotland in 2012.
Hamish was also a passionate cyclist. He took biking holidays across Europe with his children, cycled across the United States, and 18,200 feet up to Everest Base Camp.
He was born in Aberdeen but most of his work and public service were undertaken in the Inverness area.
Among the organisations he served were Inverness CAB, Loch Ness Rotary, the Scouts, Inverness Sports Council, and the Partnership for Wellbeing and Addictions Counselling.
He was also chairman of Inverness Inter-faith Group and a follower of Inverness Caley Thistle.
Councillor Bill Lobban, convener of Highland Council said: “I was truly saddened to hear that Hamish had passed away as I have such fond memories of him.
“He always took his social responsibilities seriously and spoke up many times for those less fortunate. He was a passionate champion of Fairtrade, spearheading a campaign for the Highlands to attain Scotland Fairtrade Zone status.
“He also played a pivotal role in the planning of the visit by the Dalai Lama to Inverness in 2012. Leading up to the event in Eden Court, he engaged with schools and made sure as many young people as possible had the opportunity to play their part on what was a very memorable occasion.”
Early years
Hamish Wood’s father, Charles, ran a hairdressing business in Rose Street, Aberdeen, and he grew up above the shop with his older brother, Kenneth.
From the age of 11, Hamish worked as a sweeper and soap boy in the shop before beginning a formal apprenticeship at the age of 15.
His father ran evening classes in gents’ wig making and encouraged Hamish to attend.
He gained his City and Guilds qualifications, carried out wig repair work in the salon and went on to become a part-time teacher himself.
Qualifications
This led to him enrolling in a three-year part-time course run by the Institute of Trichology on how to diagnose and treat hair and skin conditions.
Hamish’s skills then took him to Inverness College where he established hairdressing courses.
He played a pivotal role in the formation of a national training board for the hairdressing industry and his efforts were recognised when he was made an honorary member of City and Guilds.
Vice-principal
Hamish rose to become vice-principal of Inverness College with responsibility for developing new college strategies.
After he took early retirement, he accepted a position with Victim Support and become one its regional managers for the east of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands.
Buddhism
Hamish’s love of Tibetan Buddhism and social justice saw him play a major part in the visit of the Dalai Lama to Inverness.
In 2007, he successfully stood for election in the Aird and Loch Ness ward of Highland Council and served as a Liberal Democrat member until 2017.
During this time he was a member of the education, culture and sport committee; finance, housing and resources committee, and the planning, environment and development committee.
He was also a member of the licensing committee, and a very active member of the city of Inverness committee.
Public spirit
Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Hamish’s public spirit could not be suppressed and he visited London every three months to volunteer in a medical project led by Dr Sylvia Dobbs of King’s College London.
His final successful “project” was to establish a peace garden at his home at Kennedy Drive in Inverness.
Hamish is survived by his loving partner Issy and devoted children Ramsay and Kirsteen.