Trade unionist who was instrumental in creation of Inverness workers’ memorial dies aged 85 at home in the Highlands
Ken Macmillan died peacefully at his home near Nethy Bridge, aged 85.
He was a former long-standing secretary of the Inverness and District Trades Union Council and was also instrumental in the installation of the workers’ memorial in Huntly Street by the River Ness.
Those paying tribute include Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant who described him as “a very impressive orator with great politics and a strong sense of history”.
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Mr Macmillan, who was a life-long socialist and fighter for workers’ rights, leaves a wife, Miranda, and was also a father, grandfather, great grandfather.
His father was the late Malcolm Macmillan, a long-standing Labour MP for the Western Isles.
His funeral will be held at Inverness Crematorium on Friday June 21 at 1pm.
Mr Macmillan was honorary life president of the Inverness and District Trades Union Council which announced his passing on social media with “great sadness”.
” Ken had fought a long fight against illness, typical of his approach to life,” it stated.
“He was a passionate trade unionist from his early days at Rolls Royce in East Kilbride through many years as a full time official with NUPE and then UNISON.
” After retirement he was involved with Community trade union and assisted greatly with keeping the Trades Council.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant also paid tribute.
“Ken was a real force of nature as an activist in the trade union movement and within the Labour Party,” she said.
“He was a regular at STUC Highlands and Islands Conferences where I first met him.
“He was a very impressive orator with great politics and a strong sense of history. He could hold an audience.
“He dedicated his working life to promoting workers’ rights and continued that into retirement.
“He was a force and will be a miss to both the trade union and Labour movement.”
Mr Macmillan was the driving force behind the evocative memorial in Huntly Street, Inverness, where the poignant Workers’ Memorial Day events are held annually.
Mr Macmillan campaigned for many years to get funding for the Caithness stone structure which incorporates seating.
It is understood to be the only such memorial with an English inscription – Remember The Dead – Fight For The Living – plus Gaelic wording.
Munro Ross, secretary and treasurer of the Inverness and District Trades Union Council, knew Mr Macmillan for many years.
He recalled that although his former comrade was a staunch Labour man, he had encouraged people of all political persuasions to get involved in trade unions.
He also had good working relations with local politicians from all parties and invited them to attend STUC Highlands and Islands Conferences.
“I had regular conversations with him,” he said.
“There were times when I was feeling a bit down and I would get a wee pep talk from him.
“He was always a good sounding board. He always willing to listen and give advice.”
Mourners at his funeral are invited to give donations to the Ann Conroy Trust COI, a small charity which focuses its interests and attention upon a group of uncommon neurological conditions.
