Liz Buchanan Obituary, Originally from Stornoway has died at 68

Liz Buchanan Obituary, Death – Liz Buchanan’s death is another blow to shinty’s second half of the 20th century (formerly MacInnes, nee Gillies). She died on November 13 after years in Troon. Liz, from Stornoway, was a driving force in shinty’s development in the 1970s and 1980s. She went on to have a distinguished career in tourism, for which she was awarded the MBE in 2011. Along with Kenny Thomson, Jack Richmond, and Douglas MacIntosh (and others like John Henderson and Peter Cullen of Glenmorangie), Liz was one of the driving forces behind the Shinty Yearbook (becoming joint editor in 1979), the Camanachd Association Referees’ Association, and the late Aviemore indoor six-a-side tournament. She made her Yearbook debut with a co-authored article on the history of shinty in the Western Isles.

She later gave a memorable account of “a weekend in May” that detailed (some of) the Inverness shinty club’s epic trip to Killarney. Liz was secretary of the Inverness shinty club, joint secretary of the North of Scotland shinty association, and secretary and treasurer of the Referee’s Association in the 1970s, when shinty sticks cost £14. She was the first female Vice-President of the Camanachd Association, the game’s governing body, and one of the most high-profile women who contributed to the game beyond traditional, behind-the-scenes activities. She helped change the perception of women as “a joke” to “a strong force in Scottish sport.” Liz and others blazed a trail against all odds, and it’s to their credit.

The 1978 CA Yearbook described Liz as “taking the shinty world by storm” when she was named one of 20 honorary Vice Presidents. She had “inimitable personality” and was “belle of the Camanachd Association.” Willie Batchen said, “She earned it.” (She got three stitches trying to play in Inverness.) Liz MacInnes said she never wanted to be President, but she was shinty’s best. John MacKenzie MBE led the shinty tribute. He said, “Liz was an integral part of the Aviemore organizing team and played a major role in one of the era’s most entertaining events.” We should never forget the volunteers who ensured everyone’s enjoyment at that historic shinty gathering. Liz, RIP. Your legacy and involvement will be remembered by all your shinty friends.”

Liz carved out a high-profile and successful career in tourism, eventually becoming a Regional Director of VisitScotland before her retirement. In 1978, she joined the Wester Ross Tourist Association. She led VisitScotland’s subsidiary Tourist Board Training Ltd from 1984 to 2008. She helped establish a training program for information center staff and secure European funding for Scottish tourism. She also ensured that Scottish tourism was well represented at a European level as President of the European Union of Tourist Officers (EUTO).

Liz Buchanan Obituary, Death – Liz Buchanan’s death is another blow to shinty’s second half of the 20th century (formerly MacInnes, nee Gillies). She died on November 13 after years in Troon. Liz, from Stornoway, was a driving force in shinty’s development in the 1970s and 1980s. She went on to have a distinguished career…