For many years, Iain Shand was a wonderful supporter of GOC. Although not a walker himself he worked tirelessly in the background to support the Club, editing the magazine for 25 years, and working with other Committee members.  He understood how the Club brought so many gay people together, particularly in the remote parts of the UK. His partner, Michael Keats, was a keen participant.

It is hard to imagine now what a hard job producing and editing the newsletter was before the days of emails. Everything had to be sent by post to Iain and he had a really difficult job organising all the paperwork and eventually meeting the monthly deadline for printing, month after month, year after year. His attention to detail was amazing and there were virtually never any errors; perhaps this was helped by the first training he undertook after school which was in the printing trade.

Iain also took a full part in the GOC committee, evolving the running of the Club and ensuring our Annual Gatherings took place. He was always the one who remembered the personal matters as well as the business ones. He often reminded other Committee members to thank people for the work they had done for the Club. His help was really appreciated. Because he did not take part in events himself, he was not generally well known by GOC members, and perhaps his contribution was not generally recognised as much as it should have been. The newsletter was then the only link in letting people know about events and helping to bring everyone together. I am sure many people made lifetime friends, and sometimes partners, through these social links.

Iain was also an excellent host, and anyone visiting Inverness or Wester Badarach would receive wonderful meals.

It is with much sadness that we record his passing away in hospital on Sunday 15 June after a struggle with cancer. We send our sincere condolences to Michael on behalf of the whole Club.

John Asquith, former chair