About
Sutherland Lieutenancy
The post of Lord-Lieutenant is largely a ceremonial one. As the King's representative in the county, the Lord-Lieutenant must remain non-political and may not hold office in any political party. The role is unpaid and Lord-Lieutenants retire at the age of 75.
His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants are representatives of the King for each county in the United Kingdom. Men and women of all backgrounds, they are appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister and their principal duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. Lord-Lieutenants are also responsible for ensuring that the King's Private Office is kept informed about local issues relating to their area, particularly when a Royal visit is being planned.
The Lieutenancy of Sutherland works to promote and encourage voluntary service and benevolent organisations within Sutherland, and seeks to help celebrate communities' achievements and ambitions.
The responsibilities of the Lord-Lieutenant include:
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representing the King at functions and ceremonies within the county;
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organisation of official Royal visits to Sutherland and escorting members of the Royal Family during their visit;
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the presentation of medals and awards on behalf of the King where the recipient is unable to attend an investiture;
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advising on / making Honours nominations;
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helping to arrange / delivering congratulatory messages from the King to those celebrating significant birthdays and wedding anniversaries;
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advising on procedures and nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service or the Queen’s Award for Enterprise;
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arranging for the Lord-Lieutenant or one of the Deputy Lieutenants to visit an organisation as a means of acknowledging the work being done;
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submitting names of local guests to the Lord Chamberlain for Garden Parties;
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participating in civic, voluntary and social activities within the Lieutenancy;
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liaising with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated cadet forces.
Please see the 'How we can help' page for further information.
Images on this website are either those of the Lieutenancy team or Crown copyright, unless otherwise credited.
Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherland
Lord-Lieutenant
Maj Gen Patrick Marriott CB CBE, Golspie
Patrick was appointed Lord Lieutenant in 2022, succeeding Dr Monica Main CVO. Patrick had been appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2013 and Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2021. Major General Marriott retired from the army in 2012; his last appointment being Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Patrick is now a leadership mentor, trainer and speaker and is also a trustee for a number of charities. He has had his family home in Sutherland for over 20 years.
Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants
The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants whom he appoints.
Deputy Lieutenants serve a minimum of 10 years or until their 75th birthday whichever comes later. Their appointment does not terminate with the changing of the Lord-Lieutenant.
One of the serving Deputy Lieutenants is appointed as Vice Lord-Lieutenant and under most circumstances will stand in for the Lord-Lieutenant when the latter cannot be present. The appointment as Vice Lord-Lieutenant ends when the Lord-Lieutenant who made the appointment leaves their post.
Vice Lord-Lieutenant
Kim Tulloch DL, Dornoch
Kim was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2006 and Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2022. Kim studied dentistry at the University of Glasgow and graduated in 1979. She has practiced dentristy in Sutherland and the surrounding area for over 40 years and is married to Norman who is also a dentist. They have two grown up children Mark and Eloise.
Deputy Lieutenant
Frances Gunn DL, Tongue
Frances was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2017. Frances has worked supporting the voluntary sector in Sutherland for many years and serves on several boards as a volunteer in the area. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, reading, walking with her dog and spending time with her grandchildren.
Deputy Lieutenant
David MacAskill DL, Lochinver
David was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2024. David MacAskill was born in Inverness and was educated at Inver Primary School and Ullapool High School. He trained as a mechanic and owns a garage in Lochinver. David first volunteered on the Lochinver RNLI lifeboat in 1989, becoming coxswain in 2006. David is married to Rhona and has two sons, Andrew and Lachlan. Lachlan serves under his father’s leadership on the Lochinver lifeboat.
Deputy Lieutenant
Neil MacDonald DL, Scourie
Neil was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2023. Neil was born at Aultnasuileag, and was educated at Scourie Primary School and Golspie High School. In 2004 he started working for the Reay Estate as a mechanic and is now the fleet and facilities manager. Neil also runs the family croft with around a hundred sheep. Neil and his wife Aileen have three sons and live in Scourie.
Deputy Lieutenant
Christine Mackay DL, Ardgay
Christine was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2020. Christine was educated at Gledfield Primary School and Tain Royal Academy. She retired from full-time administration employment in 2017 to continue working her family croft. Christine's 3 children are married, she has five grand-children and she enjoys several hobbies.
Deputy Lieutenant
Dawn McKenzie DL, Brora
Dawn was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2022. Dawn gained her Batchelor of Education in 1989 and in the same year began her teaching career at Brora Primary School. There she went from teacher to Principal Teacher and then to Head Teacher. Dawn retired from teaching in 2022 and is looking forward to more time working the croft and garden with her husband Iain, and more time with family and friends. Dawn and Iain have 2 grown up daughters, Kirsty and Megan.
Deputy Lieutenant
Sheila Stewart DL, Lairg
Sheila was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2015. She has lived in Lairg all her life. Sheiila started working with the Bank of Scotland in 1979, a career that she really enjoyed, retiring as a Bank Manager in July 2018. Throughout her career she was involved in many local organisations, often as treasurer or called upon to audit books. Having spent nearly 40 years working inside she now enjoys time in her garden.
Deputy Lieutenant
Catriona Whitfield DL, Helmsdale
Catriona was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2020. Catriona read law at Edinburgh University and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant. She worked in the investigatory and financial regulatory areas of the accountancy profession, and subsequently ran a small business in the tourism sector. Catriona currently serves on a number of tribunal panels and boards. She and her husband John live in East Sutherland and have one grown up son, Murdo.