Ken MacMillan, the son of legendary Isles MP Malcolm K MacMillan from Garrabost, has died at his home near Nethy Bridge, aged 85.

He was also a stalwart of the Labour Party and a formidable trade unionist who dedicated his life to promoting workers’ rights, which he continued into retirement.

Mr MacMillan was well known throughout the islands and the Highlands as a force of nature and a gifted orator. In former years, he was a regular visitor to Lewis and often stayed with relatives in Garrabost.

He was a fervent supporter of the grassroots trade union movement. He was a long-standing secretary of the Inverness and District Trades Union Council. He was also made honorary life president.

The trades union council announced Mr MacMillan’s death on their social media.

They stated:  “Ken had fought a long fight against illness,  typical of his approach to life. 

“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 the community trade union and assisted greatly with keeping the Trades Council. The memorial on Huntly Street, which is where the Workers Memorial Day events are held annually, was his idea, and he was the driving force in raising the funds and commissioning a local sculptor who built it in Caithness stone.”

Mr MacMillan, a lifelong socialist, is survived by his wife Miranda and was also a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

His funeral is at Inverness Crematorium on Friday (June 21) at 1 pm.

Donations to the Ann Conroy Trust COI, a small charity focusing on a group of uncommon neurological conditions, will be welcomed.