Obituaries: Stewart MacLeod, civil engineer behind major projects in Scotland including Kylesku and Dornoch bridges

Stewart MacLeod took pride in producing quality workmanship

Hundreds of family members, friends and ex-colleagues attended the funeral of retired civil engineer Stewart MacLeod at Perth’s North Church. He was 86.

Glasgow-born, Perth was the adopted home to Stewart and Margaret, his wife of more than 60 years, and their family.

He had an enduring affection for the Fair City, which was reflected in the many roles he played in a wide range of organisations over half a century.

Stewart MacLeod greets Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of the Kylesku Bridge

Stewart was privileged to serve as a trustee of The Gannochy Trust and he chaired The Kincarrathie Trust for nine years until 2021.

His voluntary commitments included many years as a trustee of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, reflecting a passion for the countryside and a lifelong interest in trees.

Following the loss of an iconic Wellingtonia giant redwood in the grounds of Balhousie Castle, he was instrumental in sourcing a replacement, which is still thriving.

A member of The Society of High Constables of the City of Perth, Stewart was honoured to be appointed Moderator from 2009 to 2011.

One of four sons of respected minister and Free Church Moderator Rev Alexander MacLeod and his wife Agnes, after completing his education in Glasgow, Stewart accompanied his parents to Nairn, where he embarked on a career in civil engineering with Inverness County Council.

During his training, he moved to Baptie, Shaw and Morton, working on the construction of The Turret Dam at Crieff.

It was whilst working in Crieff that Stewart met Margaret Copland, and in 1962 they were married in the town’s St Michael’s Church. Together, they had two children, son Kerry, and daughter Heather.

Stewart completed his civil engineering training in 1965 and determined to develop his experience and career, working throughout Scotland.

He was employed by several civil engineering contractors, including Duncan Logan, Balfour Beatty, I and H Brown and Shellabear Price.

During his working life Stewart was involved with many major engineering projects and took pride in producing quality workmanship.

These included the construction of the dam at Backwater Reservoir, Glenisla, and sections of the M73.

In Perth, he was involved with upgrading two sections of the A85 Perth-Dundee road and creating the Barnhill Interchange.

Before being tasked with establishing a Perth regional office for Morrison Construction in 1978, Stewart had spells in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

He was to play an influential role in the company’s emergence as one of the UK’s foremost construction firms, rising to a position on the main board.

In Perth, he recruited several local engineers who benefitted from his leadership.

Following promotion in 1982, he and the family moved to Inverness, where in his role as Construction Director Stewart was proud to supervise the challenging completion of the iconic Kylesku Bridge in Sutherland.

He also played a major role in another famous Highlands project, the Dornoch Bridge, which opened in 1991.

During these years, Stewart fostered the successful careers of several young engineers, many of whom remained lifelong friends.

Returning to Perth in 1984, he continued to work for Morrison Construction Group, as Corporate Affairs Director at their Edinburgh headquarters.

In 1992, Stewart suffered a heart attack and worked part-time, taking responsibility for establishing and promoting the group’s Corporate Community Involvement Strategy.

In 1998 he formally retired but was retained as a consultant until 2004.

During his younger years, Stewart enjoyed sport. He was a keen tennis and rugby player, playing locally for Perthshire Rugby Club. He later went on to enjoy many years as a curler.

His Christian faith shaped the man he was, providing his moral compass and the virtues of honesty, integrity and decency.

For many decades he was a member of the North Church, serving as an Elder, Assistant Session Clerk, and for 12 years, as Session Clerk.

He and Margaret were instrumental in the establishment of the Blythswood Care charity in the Fair City and were long-time supporters of the Scottish Bible Society.

In recent years, Stewart bravely bore the effects of Vascular Parkinsonism, determined to make the most of life.

In late January, however, he developed pneumonia, and on February 3 died peacefully at Perth Royal Infirmary, where he received the most devoted care from medical staff.

Family was everything to Stewart. He was devoted to his wife Margaret, their children and spouses, and six grandchildren, for whom he was an adored grandad.

Obituaries

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