Outgoing lord lieutenant to throw castle party
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CLARE Russell has announced a musical garden party to mark the end of her long run as Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire – and said Banffshire would always be her passion.
Lady Laird of Ballindalloch Castle Mrs Russell and her husband, Oliver, will throw open the gates to the castle grounds for the informal garden party on Sunday, August 18. Families are invited to take along a picnic and join the celebration of local music.
The afternoon will also mark the 100th anniversary of Strathisla Pipe Band.
Mrs Russell was appointed as the Queen's representative for the area in 2002, succeeding James McPherson, and steps down from the role on Sunday, August 4.
Mrs Russell said: "It has been a marvellous 17 years and I have had the joy of organising over 40 royal visits to the county during that time, from visits to major companies to many local charities and smaller enterprises.
"My last two visits were by HRH the Duke of Rothesay to Macduff Scouts, the new silversmith Vanilla Ink in Banff, and the Banff Museum. Also recently a very successful visit by TRHs the Earl and Countess of Forfar to Glenfiddich Distillery to mark the 50th anniversary of the visitor centre and to view the substantial new addition. We also visited the Keith and Dufftown Railway and then the Keith Kilt and Textile Centre.
"As Lord Lieutenant I have had the pleasure of attending many charity events, giving out many diamond and platinum wedding cards and Queen's medals, also liaising with all the forces, and I have had the privilege of being patron of many charities.
"But most of all, I have met some very special people over the years.
"I wish my successor the happiest of times in this wonderful county.
"Banffshire will always be my passion."
A spokesman for the organisers said: "The afternoon is an opportunity for people from across Banffshire to come together to enjoy music from local performers.
"The occasion will celebrate the successes of the Strathisla Pipe Band and Mrs Russell’s dedicated and outstanding contribution to the life of the area."
The first Lady Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire has been an active champion of the county. Banffshire was retained as a "historic county" and is still used for registration and lieutenancy purposes, and in 2008 Mrs Russell led a campaign to have road signs marking the old boundaries reinstated.
Mrs Russell was presented with an honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen in 2010, and in 2017 was made a Commander of the Victorian Order. And under the name Clare Macpherson-Grant Russell, she has published two cookery books, I Love Food and I Love Food 2.
The garden party programme includes five Banffshire massed pipe bands – Strathisla, Dufftown, Aberlour, Buckie and Banff, Keith Brass Band, Buckie Boys’ Brigade Bugle Band, Andy McCormack and his Ceilidh Band, and the Kinloss Military Wives Choir.
The event is open to all, entry is free and gates open at 2.30pm.
