Tribute by Society to former President Iain Macmillan

Iain Macmillan CBE, a former President of the Law Society of Scotland, passed away on 8 May 2019.

Mr Macmillan, who joined the Society's Council in 1964 and served as President from 1976-77, was at 95 the oldest surviving former President.

He was born in Oban but spent his professional life in Kilmarnock, where he joined the firm of J & J Sturrock & Co in 1954. He ended his career as a sheriff at Hamilton.

Paying tribute, Alison Atack, current President of the Society, said: "We are very saddened to hear of the death of Iain Macmillan and extend our condolences to his family at this very sad time.

"Iain served in the RAF during the war, before joining the legal profession. He was extremely proud to be a Scottish solicitor. From his earliest days in Kilmarnock, where he became Dean of the Faculty, to his time as sheriff at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Iain was an outstanding representative for the profession.

"During his years on Council and as President, his extensive knowledge of the law and practice benefited the Society, our membership and his colleagues. Iain’s passion and commitment to the profession and all it stands for was unstinting throughout his exceptional career.

"He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Aberdeen for his much-lauded work to improve legal education in Scotland and was awarded a CBE from the Queen for his work on behalf of the profession. He also achieved a long-held ambition as a writer, with the publication of his autobiography, I Had It From My Father in 2011.

"Iain made a tremendous contribution to his chosen profession and will be very much missed by his colleagues and friends. Iain is survived by his wife of 65 years, three children, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

A service celebrating the life of Iain Macmillan will be held at 11.30am on Tuesday 21 May at Kay Park Church, Kilmarnock.