Former Wick fiscal "highly respected" by colleagues

WICK Sheriff Andrew Berry has added his tribute to the many being paid to the court's former fiscal, Alasdair MacDonald who died at his home in Sutherland earlier this week,
Speaking yesterday prior to conducting a criminal court sitting, the sheriff described him as "one of the most respected lawyers ever to grace a court".
Sheriff Berry continued:"He was intellectually bright and highly respected by his colleagues and every sheriff he appeared before. He was also a very fine person who will be greatly missed by us all. I extend our sincerest condolances to his wife and family."
Mr MacDonald, who was 60, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday following a short battle with cancer. He served as fiscal at Wick before taking up a post at Tain but returned to deputise at the far north court, on occasions.
Mr MacDonald joined the fiscal service in 1979, as a legal assistant .in Aberdeen, in 1979. He went on to work in Crown Office and a number of offices throughout Scotland during his 37 years career.
Mr MacDonald played a key role as a district fiscal in the Highlands and Islands Area which was established in 2002 and became the senior solicitor in the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit North Federation, in 2012.
A Crown Office spokesman said: "Alasdair was a monderniser and was one of the key figure in establishing the unit".
Crown Agent, David Harvie said: "Alasdair was an out-standing procurator fiscal and solicitor who was respected and admired by everyone who worked with him. A font of knowledge and a true gentleman, he will be sorely missed by colleagues at the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service."
Mr MacDonald will be laid to rest at Golspie cemetery, today Friday, following a service at the Fountain Road Church Hall, in the village.