Alastair David (as he was known) McIntosh debated in this Council chamber over 40 years ago. Born in 1921, he was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh where his father was an art teacher. In keeping with tradition at this time he went to Edinburgh University, qualifying in medicine in 1944. In 1945 he was called up and joined the Royal Navy and over the next 18 months served in the Pacific Fleet on HMS Victory, Alacrity and Glory.
In 1948 he started his obstetric training which he did in the hospitals in the Central Belt of Scotland. While working in Falkirk he married the Ward Sister, Margaret Robertson Mitchell, and was very happily married for the next 55 years.
In 1959 he was appointed to the then new Bellshill Maternity Hospital, working with Dr Bobby Tennant and in 1964 was appointed as the third consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, where he worked until his retirement in 1982.
He was greatly respected by his colleagues and patients, being a fine generalist with a particular expertise in pelvic floor surgery.
He was involved in the design of the new Raigmore Hospital and just prior to retiral was Vice Chairman of the Highland Health Board. He was an enthusiastic Rotarian and a fine sportsman, representing Edinburgh Schools at both rugby and golf.
Following retirement he took up fishing, taking a beat on the River Findhorn. He bought a lathe and using this new found skill of woodturning, produced fine works using exotic woods brought back from Australia. He was described by friends and colleagues as an absolute gentleman who was fully committed to the care of his patients. He valued highly the opportunity to represent his colleagues on Council. He is survived by 2 sons, one a GP, the other a dentist, a daughter who is a physiotherapist in Australia and 8 grandchildren.