Douglas MacKintosh, Newtonmore
THERE was great sadness across the shinty world at the news of the passing of Douglas MacKintosh MBE on Tuesday January 10.
Douglas, aged 86 years, died peacefully at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, with his beloved wife Ann and family members by his side.
A decorator to trade, Douglas spent the vast majority of his life living and working in Newtonmore.
A successful playing career for his native club saw Douglas captain the Newtonmore second team to Sutherland Cup victory, before progressing to the first team where his honours included coveted Camanachd Cup success in 1958 when they beat Oban Camanachd 3- 1 in Inverness.
After his playing days were over, Douglas took up refereeing and officiated at all the top matches. He took charge of all the major cup finals including Camanachd Cup Finals in 1962 when Kyles Athletic beat Kilmallie 3- 1 in Inverness and in 1973 when Glasgow Mid Argyll beat Kingussie 4- 2 in Fort William as well a shinty/ hurling international between Scotland and Ireland in Glasgow in 1976.
In the pre- 1983 days of north and south teams meeting in the Camanachd Cup final, he refereed 11 successive south semi- finals. In 1972, he refereed all Oban Celtic’s ties in their lead up to their Camanachd Cup final appearance against Newtonmore. Douglas was not eligible to referee the final that year as he was also Newtonmore Chieftain.
At club level, Douglas served Newtonmore as committee member, secretary and the prestigious position of Chieftain which he held from 1972 to 1975.
Douglas MacKintosh’s service to shinty didn’t end there. In many ways, it was just beginning. He was involved in setting up the Camanachd Association Referees Association and was its founding president in 1974.
Douglas joined the Camanachd Association’s Executive Council and was made association president between 1985 and 1990, at a time when the game’s first professional executive officer was appointed. He then had spells as vice president and vice chief before being elected Chief of the association, the game’s ‘ elder statesman’ honorary position.
A lifetime’s commitment to shinty included a lead role in the Aviemore Sixes tournaments and the growth of the shinty/ hurling internationals, was recognised with the accolade of an MBE in 2000.
In 2002, Douglas was deservedly awarded the Marine Harvest Centenary Award for being the longest serving administrator in the game. This particular award is made every three years to recognise outstanding services to shinty.
There won’t be a shinty community in Scotland who didn’t know Douglas MacKintosh and there have been many messages of sympathy to his wife Ann, daughters Katrina, Gillian and son David and the wider family which includes seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren.
Douglas MacKintosh’s funeral took place at St Brides Church of Scotland, Newtonmore, on Wednesday January 18 with the interment at Banchor cemetery thereafter.