An extraordinary work ethic, dogged determination and a wonderful sense of humour underpinned the outstanding achievements of Andrew Arbuckle MBE, who died peacefully on Christmas Day, aged 81.
Andrew will long be remembered for his exceptional contribution to farming, an industry he loved dearly, and his remarkable and varied career included four decades as a journalist with The Courier, where he became agricultural editor in 1985, later working for The Scotsman and also freelance for a spell.
His prolific and insightful reporting on food and farming issues, along with thought-provoking commentaries and opinion columns, earned him the top UK accolade for agricultural journalism, the Netherthorpe Award, in 2012.
Andrew was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2024 for services to farming and to the community of Fife, with a highlight being his support of agricultural charity RSABI. He was a Trustee of the charity prior to becoming an Honorary Vice-president, raising more than £100,000 for RSABI through the publication of three books (two produced with his late brother, John) taking a light-hearted look at farming life.
This recognition followed an award for Outstanding Contribution to RSABI presented on HM Albion in June 2022 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal and in 2023 he was awarded the prestigious NFU Scotland and NFU Mutual Ambassador Award.
Other agricultural positions included serving as a director of Fife Growers co-operative from 1974 to 1977, promoting the growing of field scale vegetables for the frozen market following the closure of the Cupar sugar beet factory.
In the 1970s, he served as a director of the Scottish Nuclear Stock Association established to promote the raspberry industry through the sales of healthy canes, and in 1992 he was elected chairman of the Fife & Kinross Area of NFU Scotland. He also served on the NFUS Legal committee at national level for seven years.
The strong work ethic which propelled him throughout his life was doubtless kindled during a childhood on the family farm, Logie, near Newburgh where he had many happy memories of growing up. It is not a surprise that he channelled the same energy, focus and dedication into his endeavours in other aspects of his life. From local and national politics to the arts and sport, there were no half measures – he consistently gave his all.
Andrew gave four decades of service to Scottish local and national politics, from 1986 to May 2007, serving as both a Liberal Democrat MSP and a hard-working councillor in Fife.
In 1986, he was elected to Fife Regional Council and became a member of its influential Policy & Resource Committee. Then in 1995 when Local Government re-organisation took place and Fife Council was created, he was elected to Chair the East Area Committee and from 2003 to 2005 he chaired Fife Council’s Standards & Audit Committee.
From January 2005 to May 2007, he was Liberal Democrat MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife in the Scottish Parliament and during that period, he was Finance Spokesperson for the Party.
His community work included chairing Newburgh Community Trust (NCT) during a period when in excess of £250,000 was raised to convert a former factory brown field site into Riverside Park which is now much enjoyed by the local community as an informal recreation parkland area. Andrew also led the Trust to successfully raise £60k to buy and run the former town reservoir as an informal recreational park. This was the first community-owned reservoir in Scotland.
Other notable projects between 2000 and 2010, when Andrew was chair of NCT, included upgrading the paths in a local park and creating a pathway along the riverside. In his 16 years at the helm of NCT, the town attracted almost one million pounds of investment, with the initiatives Andrew was involved in making a significant contribution to preserving its heritage and also being transformational to the community.
In 2006 he chaired a committee of the Howe of Fife Rugby Club in Cupar and led efforts to raise over one million pounds to provide a Community Sports facility for the area, and in 2016 he Chaired the Tayport Community Trust, leading a project to raise £2.5 million for a new Community Centre and a caravan park.
Other roles included being a member of the University of St Andrews Court from 1995 – 2000, serving on the Finance Committee of the Court, and after serving as a Board Member on the Tay Road Bridge Board, he was elected chairman in 2007. He was also a Trustee on the St Andrews Links Trust and from 1996 to 1998 he was on the Board of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, reflecting a lifelong interest in classical music.
A keen supporter of Dundee United FC, Andrew was also a founder member of Fife Athletics Club, later being made an honorary life member. One of his greatest athletics achievements was becoming over 60s pole vault champion.
While Andrew’s legacy includes a vast number of achievements, he will be fondly remembered for his witty observations about life, his unwavering sense of fun and the sheer joy he took from the company of friends and family.
He will also be remembered for his immense capacity for kindness, constantly seeking ways to step up to help others in times of need.
Andrew is survived by his daughters Lydia and Elizabeth, three grandchildren Jessica, Emma and Archie, and by his brother Willie and sister Gina.
