I was hugely honoured to be invited by Fiona to become a Deputy Lieutenant five years ago. As Chair of D&G Sands we had worked together on a piece for Border Life, and although the role felt daunting, I was delighted to take it on, and have hugely enjoyed it.
When I badly needed support following my son's death in 1996, there was nothing available locally. I was fortunate to receive help from Glasgow Sands, so I became determined to establish a local branch of the charity, to ensure others would be helped following the death of their baby. D&G Sands has now been a well-established local charity for over 15 years and has supported many bereaved families.
I am from Dumfries and had a 38-year career as a registered nurse with NHS D&G, recently returning to help with the Covid vaccination programme.
Ann Yerburgh
Deputy Lieutenant
Ann has lived in Galloway nearly all of her life on a farm with her parents and as a married couple bringing up their family. Together over the years they ran a variety of businesses along with their other many interests.
It is a great honour and privilege to be a Deputy, wholeheartedly supporting the Lord-Lieutenant for The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.
Andrea Thompson
Deputy Lieutenant
Andrea is the award-winning editor of the multi award-winning Dumfries & Galloway Life magazine.
A journalist for more than 30 years, she is also a presenter with the Dumfries-based, volunteer-run community radio station, Alive 107.3.
She is a member of the board of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, and an active member of The Theatre Royal Dumfries Guild of Players (at Scotland's oldest working theatre), as a performer and in PR.
Andrea has been a Director of Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, is a double-award-winning advisor with Young Enterprise Scotland, and is involved with and supports numerous local organisations in a voluntary capacity. She was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire in November 2020.
Chris Walker
Deputy Lieutenant
Chris has lived and worked in the region since 1988. Originating from Skipton, North Yorkshire, he went to school at Sedbergh, Cumbria before studying Hospitality Management at Blackpool/Fylde College. Married to Sue, they are both hoteliers to trade having owned and operated The Creebridge House Hotel, Newton Stewart, The Masonic Arms, Gatehouse-of-Fleet and currently The Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright. They live in Gatehouse-of-Fleet and have a daughter.
Chris is a board member on The Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Trade, The South of Scotland Destination Alliance, The Dark Sky Planetarium, currently chairs Visit South-West Scotland and is a trustee of The Galloway National Park Association.
A keen cyclist, Chris rode from Kirkcudbright to John O'Groats to raise funds for The British Heart Foundation following a successful Cardio Ablation in 2018.
Lady Eileen Duncan
Deputy Lieutenant
I have lived in Dumfriesshire all my life having been born near Beattock. I married Andrew Duncan in 1969, son of Sir Arthur Duncan a former Lord Lieutenant. We have three sons, two who live locally and have both been Pursuivants as was my father, our middle son lives in Singapore where he teaches in an International School. We have 7 grandchildren.
I have been involved with the Red Cross for over 40 years and on the local Action Medical Research committee for over 30. Interests - golf, tennis, horse racing, fishing and bridge.
I became a DL in 2005.
Gordon Dickie
Vice Lord Lieutenant
After school, having spent 4 years in the Army, serving in Germany and Northern Ireland, I then worked on farms in the UK and as far afield as Tierra Del Fuego to gain agricultural experience, finally coming to Moniaive in 1979, and buying a small sheep farm.
I am married to Charlotte who worked in the Art World and we have 3 daughters and five grandchildren. I love all things to do with the Countryside, especially walking, trees and tree planting and dry stone walling. I am chairman of the Army Cadet League, West Lowland, a charity which supports our local Cadet Battalion and am a Director of two family Companies.
Iain Mitchell
Deputy Lieutenant
Iain was born in 1948 and appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2010.
A solicitor in London until 2008, his long-term home has always been in Galloway where he was raised and owns land. On retirement, he returned here to live full-time to run the estate and help his wife, Liz, with the garden which they open to the public.
Iain is a Director and Trustee of Loch Arthur Camphill Community Ltd, the charity which supports and enables Loch Arthur Community to look after people with learning disabilities and of Loch Arthur Ruth, a separate charity providing support for its retired co-workers. He is Chairman of Irongray Community Council, Trustee of Irongray Community Trust and group leader for the Marie Curie Bridge Tournament.
Iain is married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
John Hammond, MBE
Deputy Lieutenant
Resident in Eskdale for over 40 years , I was the founder and owner of Border Fine Arts , the ceramic figurine manufacturer until 1994
I was also owner of Dartington Crystal and Caithness Glass and a main board director of BSW Sawmills .
I am now the Chairman of Gretna Green Ltd
I am also Chairman of the Langholm Day Care Centre for Older People, the Langholm Community Centre and the Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser newspaper
I live in Canonbie.
John Henderson
Deputy Lieutenant
I was born and brought up in Dumfries and completed my education at University of Edinburgh graduating with a degree in law. I practiced law as a solicitor in Dumfries until my retirement. I am married with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. My interests include hill walking sailing skiing and playing bridge and golf. In addition I am vice chair of DGHP and chair the local Valuation Appeal Committee.
Mark Jardine MBE DL
Deputy Lieutenant
Mark was born and brought up in Dumfries. After completing his BA at Strathclyde University, he joined the family business, and focussed on providing a crematorium for the region, - while bringing up 3 children. Following 25 years searching for the perfect place, he designed and helped build Roucan Loch which opened in March 2005.
Mark then set up the People's Project to give something back to the community and gifted Robert Burns' Rock to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal.
Happily married to Ruth, Mark was humbled to be awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours 2020 for the creation of Roucan Loch and services to the people of Dumfries & Galloway with the People's Project.
Merlin Dernie
Deputy Lord Lieutenant
I was born and brought up in Dumfriesshire and after my school years, I trained as a Nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. On my return to Dumfriesshire, I married and my husband and I have been farming near Moffat since 1984. We have three children and 3 grandchildren. I was District Commissioner of the Dumfriesshire Hunt Branch of the Pony Club for 18 years and I am co-organiser of the Dumfries Charity Christmas Fair.
Alex Haswell LLB
Deputy Lieutenant
I am a native of Wigtownshire having been born and brought up in Whithorn, and a passionate Gallovidian.
A Solicitor by profession, I worked in Local Government in Dumfries and Galloway for forty years mostly at a Senior level including the posts of Statutory Monitoring Officer for Dumfries and Galloway Council and Returning Officer for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Galloway and West Dumfries and Dumfriesshire.
I was Chief Executive of the Crichton Trust for approximately three years. I am now Chairman of the Whithorn Trust and a Trustee of Home Start Wigtownshire.
Throughout my career I have been privileged to assist successive Lord-Lieutenants in Dumfries and Galloway in organising Royal visits and other Civic events.
My interests include DIY, Reading, and History.
Rosalind Evans
Deputy Lieutenant
I was born in Kenya in East Africa, but moved to Scotland, with my parents and two brothers, in the late 60s.
After qualifying from Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh I have lived and worked most of my life in Wigtownshire married to my husband Dougal.
My passion, both whilst teaching and since retiring, has been promoting Scottish Country Dancing with children in schools and with adults in a local club.
I now spend my time enjoying my grandchildren, rearing rare breed pigs from field to fork, travelling and gardening.
Rory Gillies
Deputy Lieutenant
I am a retired General Practitioner and live in Moffat. I am married to Shona, also a former GP, and we have three daughters.
I enjoy my role with the Lieutenancy of Dumfries and the opportunity to meet many of the people who make this area such a wonderful to live in.
Sarah Landale
Deputy Lieutenant
I am a housewife and have lived on a farm at Dalswinton for the past 30 years. We have three children and I am involved on the farm and the Estate.
