TRIBUTES have been paid to former SNP Highland Councillor Dave Fallows who sadly passed away.
Fallows served as representative for the Badendoch and Strathspey ward on Highland Council between 2007 and 2017.
Past colleagues described Fallows as a “great loss to the community” while SNP MP Drew Hendry said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, having previously served with Fallows on the council between 2007 and 2015.
The 74-year-old had attempted to return as a councillor in the elections just last month but missed out.
From 2007 Fallows served on a number of committees including; housing and social work, transport and environment, planning applications and the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee.
From 2012 he was chair of the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee and Chair of the Pensions Committee.
Fallows also served on the South Planning Applications Committee, of which he was cice chair, served on the Planning Review Board and was a member of the Fire Board throughout his term of service since 2007.
Convener of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban, an independent, said: “Dave was a close friend, colleague and fellow Councillor for many years, and it was great to see him throw his hat in the ring in the recent elections.
"He will be a great loss to the community, whom he served faithfully for so many years, but most especially to his family and close friends."
Reacting to the news on social media, SNP MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Hendry wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of @davefallows - he was a great support to me during my time on @HighlandCouncil and always in good humour.
“A more committed friend, to his community, and all who came to know him would be hard to find.”
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing,SNP, told the Strathspey and Badendoch Herald: "Dave was a thoughtful generous and caring man who devoted much of his life to the service of others, as a well respected local councillor.
"He stood for election last month at the local council elections but was unsuccessful.
Deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of @davefallows - he was a great support to me during my time on @HighlandCouncil and always in good humour. A more committed friend, to his community, and all who came to know him would be hard to find.
— Drew Hendry MP🇺🇦🏴 #ScotlandsChoice (@drewhendrySNP) June 1, 2022
"I dropped him a note to say I was sorry he did not succeed because in his previous time as an elected representative he gave so much to his community and cared for the local people he served.
"Almost immediately Dave replied with an email brimming with ideas for improving life and work locally – that was typical of him."
Fallows stood down at the 2017 local council election on health grounds, having earlier suffered a heart attack in South Africa.
He underwent major surgery to save his life but his health never fully recovered.
