Tributes are paid to ‘rebel’ with a cause

Freak accident claims Lamont

Glowing tributes have been paid to a “oneoff” Wishaw solicitor who died after a freak accident near his home.

Lamont Baillie passed away from injuries sustained when he collided with a deer while riding his bike near the village of Carmichael in South Lanarkshire on Saturday, September 5. He was rushed to University Hospital Wishaw but died a short time later from his injuries.

Mr Baillie, who was born and brought up in Wishaw, joined the fledgling legal firm of Ness Gallagher in 1979, and was partner, managing partner and, at the time of his death, a consultant to the firm.

Ness Gallagher director Graham Keys said: “What interested Lamont most in his work were the people.

“He took a genuine interest in the welfare of his clients, getting to know them, forming relationships, and indeed friendships, which lasted for years and, in many instances, decades.

“Ness Gallagher was more than a workplace to Lamont. It was his home from home.

“Many in the firm worked with Lamont for 20, 30 or even 40 years. He was always there.

“His professional reputation went before him.

“A tenacious and determined opponent in court; an eye for detail in commercial matters and, always, with integrity and respect.”

In his own time, Lamont loved nothing more than walking in the hills around his beloved village of Carmichael where he lived.

A keen walker, he would regularly climb nearby Tinto Hill or Culter Fell of a morning before relaxing with a wellearned glass of good red wine and, if the mood took him, a fine cigar.

Lamont was the younger brother of the late John Baillie, whom he adored, a much-loved brother-inlaw to Doreen and cherished uncle to Kenneth, Sarah and Andrew. His friends are too numerous to mention by name, many dating back to Wishaw High School and the Scouts.

Graham added: “He formed friendships throughout his life and career. To hear from so many how much they will miss him gives just a glimpse of the value of those friendships.

“It can be said without fear of contradiction that Lamont Baillie was a one-off.

“He looked at and thought about the world in his own way. He never took people at face value, always interested, always probing, to find out what made them tick.

“In his own way he was a rebel, choosing not to conform, always very happy to be himself, whatever the company. To say that Lamont will be missed is a huge understatement.

“He leaves a gap in so many lives but those of us who knew him well can reflect on what a privilege that was.”