Cairngorms National Park convener recognised with RGU honorary award

After completing his school education at Banff Academy, he went on to work as a journalist with The Press & Journal before joining the BBC, where he was Managing Editor for the North East from 1990 to 2018.

He was appointed chair of the River Dee Trust in 2019 and will be Convener of Cairngorms National Park Authority until 2027. In his free time, Sandy is a keen fly-fisher, hillwalker and lover of contemporary and traditional music.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Sandy’s passion for the North East and all its vast outdoor space has to offer knows no bounds.

“Having already made an impact on this area through his journalism, Sandy is now a real leader when it comes to issues directly affecting our beloved countryside, whether that is the River Dee which flows past our campus or the stunning beauty of the Cairngorms National Park. He is a real inspiration to us all.”

Born and raised in North East Scotland and educated at Banff Academy, Sandy holds an MA (Hons) from the University of Aberdeen. His journalism career was marked by a strong focus on how policy affects rural communities and the natural environment.

Sandy is passionate about the great outdoors and led a successful campaign to enhance national grant aid for river-restoration projects to help ecosystems and communities.

He has experience as a negotiator at national and international level on media-freedom issues. His overseas work has included advising Myanmar’s state broadcaster on the transition from dictatorship and helping to free jailed journalists in Turkey.

He was recognised with a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) award at P&J Live, Aberdeen on 10 December.