A story-teller who’s dedicated decades to championing his community has been praised for local pride and passion.
Jim Nicol, of Dufftown, has spends huge amounts of time making the town a better place to be.
Those efforts have been recognised by being named as the Highland & Islands High Street Hero in the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
Keith Community Radio presenter Jim is also well known as “the tireless editor and researcher” of quarterly magazine the Dufftown Speirin.
His nomination stated: “Jim is also a past chair of the Dufftown and District Community Council, secretary of the Dufftown and District Community Association, and has been active in supporting the town’s key social and cultural activities – the annual gala, the annual Boys’ Walk and promoting events at the Mortlach Hall, one of the centrepieces of Dufftown’s community life.
“Jim has a deep love for the town he was born in, which he has expressed in a lifetime of community engagement.”
Mr Nicol said: “I love staying in Dufftown and to promote the town in any way I can.
“I have been given the moniker of ‘the Speirin’s Mannie’ by the locals and met a lot of folk through it. I am lucky to be at a time when Facebook is around. I love it when I can share photos and articles from Dufftown Speirin’s page.
“The radio station is a recent adventure. I do a monthly rock show. It’s good fun to do and I send in my pre-recorded show from my studio/radio shack in my garden.”
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “Heroic efforts lie at the heart of the tireless and tremendous work taking place to make communities in the Highlands – and throughout Scotland – better places.
“Our judges agreed that Jim is undoubtedly a hero for his work to champion Dufftown.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.
You can read more about the Scotland Loves Local Awards here
