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Tributes paid to ex-Highland councillor Dave Fallows who has died


By Gavin Musgrove

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Dave Fallows will be sadly missed.
Dave Fallows will be sadly missed.

Tributes have been paid to a highly respected former Badenoch and Strathspey Highland councillor who has died.

Dave Fallows (74), who lived in Newtonmore, had attempted to return as a councillor just last month for the SNP but missed out.

Mr Fallows served Badenoch and Strathspey with distinction for many years in this and many other roles.

But he took the tough decision to stand down from the council on health grounds at the previous election.

He had earlier suffered a heart-attack whilst on holiday in South Africa and underwent a major operation to save his life but his health was never the same again.

Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: "Dave was a close friend, colleague and fellow councillor for many years and it was great to see him throw his hat in the ring in the recent elections.

"He will be a great loss to the community, whom he served faithfully for so many years, but most especially to his family and close friends."

Mr Fallows held a number of senior roles on the council including chair of the resources committee and pensions committee and other leading positions.

He had also served on the Cairngorms National Park Authority and as a member of Newtonmore Community Council.

Mr Fallows was highly regarded for his keen intellect and an ability to get to the heart of a matter no matter how complex.

He was a great champion for his beloved Newtonmore – where he was a keen supporter of the shinty team and reporter on the sport for many years for the Strathy – and wider Badenoch and Strathspey.

Dave Fallows (centre) at the Highland Council election declaration for the Badenoch and Strathspey ward last month.
Dave Fallows (centre) at the Highland Council election declaration for the Badenoch and Strathspey ward last month.

Mr Fallows was a very talented artist and chair of the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists and leading member of Creative Cairngorms.

Friend and Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing (SNP) said: "Dave was a thoughtful generous and caring man who devoted much of his life to the service of others, as a well respected local councillor.

"He stood for election last month at the local council elections but was unsuccessful.

"I dropped him a note to say I was sorry he did not succeed because in his previous time as an elected representative he gave so much to his community and cared for the local people he served.

"Almost immediately Dave replied with an email brimming with ideas for improving life and work locally – that was typical of him."

Mr Fallows, originally from Oldham, also had a great love for travelling and enjoyed many holidays to far flung destinations with his wife, Lena, including one memorable trip to Tiger Temple in Thailand where they got up close to tigers at the Buddhist monastery.


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