The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Farming ‘stalwart’ dies
Glenlivet farmer Jim Innes has died at the age of 67 following a short illness. Mr Innes was an active member of farmers’ union NFU Scotland (NFUS) and he served as the north-east regional representative on the union’s Less Favoured Areas committee.
A staunch activist for the interests of those farming in the hills and uplands, Mr Innes started his farming career with his father at Pitglassie, Dufftown.
He then took on Deskie Farm, on the Crown Estate in the 1980s, and ran both farms with the help of his sons Shaun and James.
The family enterprise comprises more than 200 mainly Salers-cross suckler cows, a 750ewe flock of breeding sheep, and barley grown for feed and bedding.
NFUS vice-president and Alford farmer, Charlie Adam, paid tribute to Mr Innes and said his death was a “loss to the industry”.
“Right up until the very end, Jim was an absolute stalwart and a passionate campaigner for the hills and uplands, especially the cattle and sheep side of things,” said Mr Adam.
“He went way above and beyond what most people are prepared to do. He was a fiery character with a strong brain.”
In addition to his involvement in the union, Mr Innes was wellknown by farmers having contract-combined and dried grain for various producers across Moray.
He was also an active member of the local community and served as a trustee of the local Glenlivet Hall.
In 2012, Mr Innes was proud to win the prestigious NFUS North-east Unsung Hero Award at the Turriff Show which was presented to him in recognition of the work he did on behalf of farmers in all of Scotland’s lessfavoured areas.
Mr Innes is survived by his wife, Jan, and four sons.