Tributes paid to Archie McFarlane

TRIBUTES have been paid to Archie McFarlane, secretary of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association (CFA), who has died following a tragic motorcycle accident.
Archie (55), a former fisherman from Islay who became secretary of the CFA in 2009, was a tireless champion of the Firth of Clyde’s coastal fishing communities.
Kenny MacNab, chairman of the CFA said: ‘We are deeply saddened by Archie’s untimely death, which has come as a great shock to us all.
‘As a fisherman, he had an intimate understanding of the key issues affecting our industry and was universally liked and respected by everyone in the Clyde Fishermen’s Association and the wider fishing community.
‘He worked tirelessly on behalf of the Association and he will be sorely missed by us all. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.’
Scotland’s Fisheries Minister, Richard Lochhead, said: ‘Like others across the fishing community I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the tragic accident that claimed the life of Archie McFarlane.
‘Archie was one of the most likeable people you could meet and I can’t quite believe that I won’t be seeing him at fishing industry meetings.
‘I often spoke to Archie on a one to one basis to seek his advice on issues and he never failed to be reasonable and helpful.
‘We have lost a passionate and popular but tough advocate for the fishing industry but most of all we have lost a popular and lovely man who was a thoroughly decent human being.
‘He was a well-respected pillar of the fishing community and will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends at this most difficult of times.’
Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: ‘Archie was articulate, well-liked and highly respected, and I was always impressed by his dedication and vigour in representing the interests of our fishermen.
‘His loss will be felt by all of those who are involved in Scottish fishing.’