Lochinver RNLI lifeboat coxswain David MacAskill is appointed a deputy lieutenant for Sutherland
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A NEW deputy lieutenant has been appointed to Sutherland’s Lord Lieutenancy team.
David MacAskill (56), coxswain of the Lochinver RNLI lifeboat, Julian and Margaret Leonard, was officially made a deputy lieutenant yesterday.
He succeeds businessman David Grant of Highland Stoneware, Lochinver, who recently retired from the voluntary role.
Lord-Lieutenant Patrick Marriott said: “David MacAskill brings his wealth of local understanding, a natural kindness and his extraordinary sense of service and commitment to the Sutherland lieutenancy team.”
Born in Inverness, Mr MacAskill has lived in Sutherland all his life. A former pupil of Inver Primary School and Ullapool High School, he trained as a mechanic and owns a small garage in Lochinver.
He was a retained firefighter from 1985 to 2000 and first volunteered for service on the Lochinver lifeboat in 1989, becoming a full-time crew member and the boat mechanic in 2000.
He has been with the RNLI for 34 years and although he could have retired in 2022 at the age of 55, he has chosen to continue to serve.
He now has two deputy coxswain working on the crew.
Mr MacAskill was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry – one of the charity’s highest honours – in 2016 for his “courage and determination” in rescuing four people from a fish carrier vessel in gale force winds and darkness off Cape Wrath on December 7, 2014.
He has also received numerous other commendations during his time with the RNLI.
Mr MacAskill is married to Rhona and has two sons, Andrew, who works for Scottish Water, and Lachlan who is a mechanic and also a lifeboat crew member.
Lord-Lieutenant Mr Marriott and Vice Lord-Lieutenant Kim Tulloch head a team of seven deputy lieutenants
