National Park Authority pays tribute to a ‘truly remarkable’ Board Member

James Stuart, Convener of the National Park Authority Board led tributes to Ellen, saying:

“Ellen was a truly remarkable woman and the response from fellow Board members this morning on hearing the sad news of her passing echo that sentiment entirely.

“On a personal level, I feel privileged to have worked with her. I always enjoyed the way she made her points so vividly, knowing how to engage her audience; an art form that many of us can learn from.

“A committed public servant, Ellen gave so freely and clearly inspired those around her, including me. Her passing really is a huge loss. Our thoughts are with Ellen’s family, friends and many colleagues who will be mourning the loss of this very special woman.”

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, first worked with Ellen when she was a member of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Interim Committee (1999-2002) which helped pave the way for the establishment of Scotland’s first National Park in July 2002.

Reflecting on his experience of working with Ellen and the impact her loss will have, National Park CEO, Gordon Watson said:

“I first worked with Ellen when she became a member of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Interim Committee in 1999 as part of the work to set up the new National Park Authority.

“I can assure you that her inimitable presence and spirit was on display on those days, even as a relatively new Councillor. She was the first Chair of Planning I ever worked directly with as a Head of Planning. I learned a lot from her in terms of how to manage Committee meetings and engage with members.

“It was an absolute privilege to work with Ellen both during those formative years of setting up the new National Park Authority and more recently as a valued National Park Authority Member, and Chair of our Planning and Access Committee.

“Ellen brought boundless energy and humour to her roles and was a great source of advice and support to our work. She is a significant loss to public life in this special part of Scotland. We will miss her dearly.”

---

Notes to Editors:

• Ellen Morton was appointed to the National Park Authority Board on 1st October 2017 by Scottish Ministers following nomination by Argyll and Bute Council.
• Ellen first became a Councillor for Argyll and Bute Council in 1999. She was Argyll & Bute Council’s Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee.
• Ellen previously served on the Board of Scottish Legal Aid and as a non-legal member of the Asylum & Immigration Tribunal, retiring from that position in 2014.
• Ellen’s professional background was as a teacher of English and History.