Alasdair MacDonald

Mr MacDonald passed away after a brief battle with cancer, his funeral was held at the Fountain Road Church Hall, Golspie last week.

In a career spanning 37 years, Mr MacDonald began as a legal assistant in Aberdeen. He later became district fiscal at Elgin in 1986 and procurator fiscal at various other locations.

Sheriff David Sutherland, who had known Mr MacDonald for more than 30 years, paid tribute to him at Inverness Sheriff Court last week, saying: “He was a friend and colleague of so many of us here today,” said Sheriff Sutherland.

“A native of Sutherland, Alasdair was one of the finest fiscals in the country. He was respected and admired by colleagues in the service and solicitors and sheriffs.

“He was a formidable and resolute prosecutor. His knowledge of the law was quite exceptional, as many in the court can testify to.

“But for me it was his courtesy and sense of fairness which was his hallmark.”

“The fact so many of us trusted and respected him in all that he did is testimony to the true Highland gentleman that he was.

“His premature death was such a shock to many of us and he will be sadly missed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Anna and their children to whom we convey the condolences of the court.”

Crown agent, David Harvie said: “Alasdair was an outstanding 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 Procurator Fiscal Service. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”