The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tributes paid to local champion after crash
Perthshire councillor Barbara Vaughan, who worked tirelessly for her community, died in an accident on the A9
Tributes have been paid to former Perthshire councillor Barbara Vaughan who has died following a road accident on the A9.
A leading figure in education in Tayside for decades, she was critically injured after the car she was travelling in plunged down an embankment between Killiecrankie and Blair Atholl.
The 77-year-old was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee by Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance but later died.
Mrs Vaughan worked tirelessly for her community and the wider Tayside region and was awarded the OBE for her passionate work in education.
Friends and former colleagues described her as an engaged and knowledgeable councillor who was “filled with kindness” and whose impact was felt in Dundee and across Perth and Kinross.
Among those to pay tribute was MSP Alexander Stewart who worked alongside the Conservative when he was a councillor.
He said: “Barbara dedicated her life to politics. “She was a real champion for her local community.”
Colleagues of veteran councillor Barbara Vaughan have spoken of their shock at her death following a road accident.
Mrs Vaughan, who served on Perth and Kinross and Tayside regional councils, was critically injured on Friday when the car she was in plunged down an embankment on the A9 between Killiecrankie and Blair Atholl.
The 77-year-old was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital by Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance following the accident, which involved a lorry and three cars, but she died later.
She had a particular interest in education and served on a number of economic and educational boards, nationally and locally, including the Manpower Services Commission, Scottish Exam Board, SCOTVEC and Dundee University Court.
She was also a former director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre and worked tirelessly for her Strathtay council ward.
She lived, latterly, in Caputh, near Dunkeld.
Fellow Conservative, MSP Murdo Fraser, said it was with “great sadness” that he heard of her death.
“Barbara served communities in Tayside over many years in public service, firstly on Tayside Regional Council, where she was an energetic and engaged convenor of education, and more recently on Perth and Kinross Council where she represented the Strathtay ward, retiring at the local elections in May,” he said.
“Barbara had a life-long passion for education, for which she was honoured with the award of an OBE.
“Both Barbara and her late husband Robin were great supporters of the Conservative Party both in Dundee and in Perthshire.
“As my election agent for the Scottish Parliament, Barbara was both an efficient organiser and a cheerful companion, and neither I nor my family will forget the personal kindness that she and Robin showed us.
“Our thoughts are with Barbara’s family at this difficult time.”
Conservative council administration leader Ian Campbell paid tribute saying: “Barbara’s main interest was education and she served as the education spokesperson for the Conservative group in the 10 years she was a councillor.
“Her knowledge and enthusiasm for her subject was respected by officers and colleagues as she had the benefit of many years of experience working in the area of education.
“Her husband Robin died several years ago and Barbara was now considering a move to be nearer her family.”
Alexander Stewart, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said it was a “privilege” to work as a councillor alongside Mrs Vaughan and described her as a “champion of her local community” whose understanding of, and enthusiasm for, local government was unmatched.
As my election agent for the Scottish Parliament, Barbara was both an efficient organiser and a cheerful companion. MURDO FRASER MSP