The sudden death of Inverness Courier journalist Neil MacPhail sparks an outpouring of love and tributes

The Highlands’ most experienced working journalist has died suddenly at his home in Inverness, aged 76, after working for newspapers for almost six decades.

Neil MacPhail was highly respected by all who met him, whether professionally or personally, and who interviewed famous people and politicians, and many of his colleagues, clearly shocked by his unexpected death, lined up to pay tribute to him.

Growing up in Campbeltown in Argyll, his father was a farm manager and his mother a teacher, but Neil wanted to pursue a career in journalism and moved from the west coast to the east coast to start working in newspapers.

He started as a trainee at the first Broad Street headquarters of the Aberdeen Journals in 1968 but moved to Inverness shortly after being posted to the branch office for a six-month period as part of his training. Neil never left the Highland capital.

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His engaging wit and infectious giggle endeared him to everyone who worked there, but most impressive was his talent as a writer. He covered the greatest stories with accuracy, speed, fairness and compassion.

He had previously met his wife, Irene, and although they married and later divorced, they were still friendly. They had a daughter, Lindsey, who is now head of children’s services and chief social worker in East Lothian, and a son, Calum, a paramedic in the Central Belt, and he was very proud of their achievements.

She adored her grandson, who was also a pony lover, and admired his expertise in the saddle, traveling as far south as he could to see his entire family.

In the early days of his career, Neil did Saturday shifts for a national Sunday newspaper, which built his reputation. He decided to start his own freelance agency and quickly achieved success with his wealth of knowledge and extensive contact list of dedicated successors.

But as the industry changed, Neil decided to return to the security of staff work for a time, also at the Press and Journal, before being hired as bureau chief for David Love’s freelance agency. It was an obvious choice for David, who runs a PR firm as well as servicing national newspapers and needed Neil to head up the agency.

But when the Press and Journal came calling again for a northern news editor for its Inverness office, Neil took up the role, relishing the role while nurturing the Journal’s young talent.

In 2015, he was honored by his colleagues by presenting him with the Barron Award for his lifetime contributions to the industry.

Gordon Fyfe, former chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards judging panel, said: “Neil was a top operator. He was fearless and fair in his pursuit of news for over six decades. A huge loss for journalism in the north.”

When Neil retired from P&J he thought about his future and then came up with the offer of a part-time job at Highland News and then sister company The Inverness Courier and its parent company’s northern titles. It didn’t take long for Neil to pick up his pen and notepad again three days a week, dealing with a variety of materials with his traditional flair and sensitivity. He was supposed to be working the day he died, and alarm bells went off when he was unable to communicate. He wasn’t like him.

Andy Dixon, content editor of The Inverness Courier, said: “Neil was one of a kind and got along with everyone. He was a master of the journalistic craft and could turn his hand to anything we asked him to do – whether it was talking to someone The couple who has been married for 60 years or covering most heartbreaking fatal accident investigationHis work is exemplary.

“Having been in the industry his whole life, he has seen a lot of big changes and is quick to admit he has technological weaknesses, which he makes up for with sage advice and being one of the best-connected reporters in town.

“Despite working part-time, he was still thriving, with his work being among our most read content. He had a heart of gold, and while his younger colleagues provided him with technical support, he provided tips, advice, communication and information to them. We will miss him greatly, but will remember him fondly .”

Neil’s funeral has not yet been finalised, but details will follow later and fellow pencillers from across the country are expected to join family and friends in paying tribute to one of the north’s finest.

David Love, a friend and colleague of more than 50 years, said: “We are all still reeling from the shock. Neil gave the impression that he was immortal, never really old and with a sense of humor and mind as sharp as the nibs of his pen. “I’ve been involved with him since my youth and on my way through newspapers It helped me a lot.

“Neil loved his party times, like the rest of us, but he never forgot that he was primarily a professional and everything he did reflected that. I will miss him so much.”

Retired Inverness reporter Alan Dow said of his close friend: “I have known Neil as one of the Highlands’ leading reporters since I came north to work for The Daily Record 50 years ago.

“He was a good friend and an admired journalist. During his visits to the Highlands he interviewed numerous celebrities and at least two Prime Ministers (Maggie Thatcher and Gordon Brown).

“And that too the first journalist to interview the recently deceased Bill MacDowell, many years ago He was convicted of the infamous murders of Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew, whose bodies were never found.

“Neil will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

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