Skye Man Installed as New Land Court Chairman
On Friday 17th October, Sheriff Roderick John MacLeod, QC, was installed as Chairman of the Scottish Land Court, taking the title Lord Minginish.
Mr MacLeod was born and raised in Portnalong in the Isle of Skye. His parents originally from the Isle of Harris, moved to Skye in the 1920s as part of a scheme organised by the Board of Agriculture at that time.
As well as being engaged in the legal profession, Roddy John is also involved in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI, theNational Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. In 2006 he joined the Board of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and only a year later took over as Chair of the board from the late Dr Farquhar Macintosh..
Professor Boyd Robertson, Principal of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig said “We at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig are delighted that Sherriff Roddy John MacLeod has been appointed Chair of the Land Court and that he has been made a Law Lord. We warmly congratulate Lord Minginish and wish him all success in his new role. Lord Minginish has been Chair of the Board of Directors of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig since 2007 and we are fully cognizant of his abilities, skills and qualities and are sure that they will be deployed to great effect in his duties as Chair of the Land Court.”
Roderick John MacLeod becomes the first Gaelic speaker to occupy the chair since the Land Court was established in 1912.