Tributes paid to Highland councillor who served Loch Ness area dies
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Tributes have been paid following the death of Aird and Loch Ness councillor George Cruickshank.
The Highland Council representative had marked his 74th birthday last Thursday.
He was born in Newcastle before moving to Fort Augustus when he was 15 years old. He met his wife Christine in 1966. They married in 1967 and lived in Drumnadrochit since then.
Father to Lynn and brother to Norman and Gordon, he was a local business owner for many years, running the West End Garage before becoming a Highland councillor in May 2017. He was elected to serve Aird and Loch Ness, alongside councillors Helen Carmichael (Inverness Provost), Margaret Davidson (council leader) and Emma Knox.
Councillor Cruickshank served on the council’s City of Inverness Area Committee, Highland Licensing Board and Highland Licensing Committee; Pensions Board and South Planning Applications Committee.
Council convener Bill Lobban paid tribute to the Tory politician, saying: “George was a very popular member whom I got to know really well over the last three years. He often brought a sense of reality to the council chamber. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues but most especially by his family and close friends who have our deepest sympathies.”
Cllr Davidson said: “George was a good friend and a cheerful, supportive colleague to me personally. He was a generous man with a rich life experience and unfailing good humour. I know he will be missed in the council chamber and in his community. My sincere sympathies to his family.”
Tory group leader councillor Andrew Jarvie said: “George has been a long-standing member of the party for many decades.
"He always brought simplicity, experience and sharp intellect to both our own and council meetings for the last three years. He was embedded in his community and indeed I had known him years previously with his garage he used to own. I admired him for all of those personal qualities. He will be missed by us all in the Conservative group and wider party, I can only express my deepest sympathy for his family and close friends.”
