I am 60, married to Lena, who works in Occupational Therapy, with a married daughter, Katriona. Born in Oldham, Manchester, I was educated at Forres Academy when my family moved to Findhorn in 1959.

After a period in Air Traffic Control in the Royal Air Force, I worked in the Planning & Research Department of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, before carving out a career in computing, culminating in representing the United Kingdom on specialist United Nations and EC committees – invaluable experience in the art of successful negotiation.

Moving back north to Newtonmore eighteen years ago, I turned my long standing painting hobby into a full time occupation, and with my wife Lena built up what is now Newtonmore Craft Centre and Gallery, and the Garden Café, which we disposed of in May 2008.

I now devote most of my time to the Council and the National Park, but also continue to paint and operate a small limited edition print and original paintings business with its own website