Police museum dedicated to memory of former councillor

A police museum has been dedicated to the “driving force” behind its move to Kirriemuir.

A picture and plaque was unveiled at the museum to acknowledge Ian Mackintosh’s contribution.

Mr Mackintosh’s wife, Alison, took part in the dedication ceremony alongside retired police inspector Hamish Gray who is the volunteer curator of the museum.

Mr Mackintosh, who passed away last June, spent 17 years as a councillor in Kirriemuir and was also the former convener of Tayside Police Joint Board.

The evidence of three former forces – Perth and Kinross Constabulary, Angus Constabulary and City of Dundee Police – was filed away with the amalgamation of Tayside Police in 1975, itself a thing of the past with the advent of Police Scotland.

Mr Mackintosh felt that this important record of the region’s police force should be made available to the public but knew this could not be done in a working police station. Various properties were investigated and found unsuitable. When Angus Council decided to move their Access Office from Bank Street, Kirriemuir, to the front offices of the old police station in Reform Street, Mr Mackintosh knew that the redundant old police cells and offices to the rear of the building would be available.

Working together with Police Scotland, who owned the building, and Angus Council, he persuaded the council to fund the project and museum staff were asked to use their expertise to set up and display the exhibits.

In 2013 the museum was officially opened before being opened to the public in June last year.

Alison Mackintosh with Hamish Gray at the museum.