The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tributes to ex-athlete, teacher and Fife councillor Donald Macgregor
The worlds of athletics, politics and education have paid tribute to former Olympian, councillor, author and teacher Donald Macgregor, who has died at the age of 80.
The well-known and respected figure in north-east Fife, who was a Liberal Democrat councillor for many years and taught languages at Madras College in St Andrews, was also regarded as one of Scotland’s finest endurance athletes.
The marathon runner represented the UK at the 1972 Munich Olympics where he finished seventh.
He also had top-10 finishes when he competed for Scotland at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and in 1974 at Christchurch, New Zealand.
Expressing “deepest sympathies” to his family and friends, Scottish Athletics described his record of 24 marathons under 2:20 as “quite remarkable” – not least that it included a 2:17 run at the age of 43.
Sadness was also expressed by the organisers of St Andrews Highland Games, who had been supported by Mr Macgregor as commentator for many years.
A statement said: “As a languages teacher it was always entertaining when he spoke to the spectators in the various languages to encourage them to come in to run in the overseas visitors’ race.”
A spokesperson for Kingsbarns Community Council said: “Donald was a champion of his communities and he would stand up for what he believed to be right.”
Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, former MP for North East Fife, said: “I first knew him as an outstanding athletics student.
“When he became a councillor, he had an independent streak in representing his communities. This marked him out from many of his contemporaries.”
Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Fife councillor Alice McGarry described him as a “real gentleman”, while Liberal Democrat Cupar councillor Margaret Kennedy said: “Donald was a character. He will be missed by many.”
Former Madras pupil turned artist Peter Herron said: “As a schoolkid, I used to draw cartoons of most of my teachers.
“If I drew one of you, you knew I was either mocking you or respecting you. Mr Macgregor got my respect.”
Born in Edinburgh, Mr Macgregor studied at St Andrews University, and served as a Liberal Democrat councillor on the old North East Fife District Council from 1988 to 1996.
He was principal teacher of German at Madras College in St Andrews from 1974 until 1999, when he retired from full-time teaching.
Until 2006, he taught French and German part-time in the Business School of Abertay University in Dundee.
In 2004, he published a book of poetry, Stars And Spikes, following in the footsteps of his author father, Forbes.
Following his running career, he coached distance athletes as a member of Fife Athletic Club.
Mr Macgregor and his former wife had three children.