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Fulsome tributes have been paid to hugely popular and widely-respected Lanark community stalwart Millar Stoddart – described as “a true gentleman” and “a noble servant” to the town. The former Lanimer committee chair, ex-Lord Cornet and founder of Clydesdale Sports Council passed away on Thursday, October 30, with the whole community mourning his sad loss. Millar had also served as a Depute Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire and was appointed MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to sport and to the voluntary sector in Scotland. He also had a distinguished four-decade career in local government and was involved with further organisations including Lanark Rotary Club and YMCA. The Lord Cornets’ Club and Lanark Lanimer committee both announced his passing “with great sadness” in online announcements and shared condolences with his wife, three children and loved ones, saying: “Our thoughts are with Moira, Graeme, Gillian, Fiona and their families at this sad time.” Millar was Lord Cornet in 1979 and later spent six years as chair of the Lanimer committee, leading the organisation of the town’s prestigious annual celebration. Hundreds of local residents responded with comments honouring his wide-ranging service to the community, with just a small selection calling him “an icon of the Lord Cornets of Lanark”, “a lovely man who contributed so much [and] always welcomed you with a smile” and stating: “Moira and family can take comfort in his legacy”. The Lord Cornets’ Club told the Advertiser: “Following in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the founder members in 1949, Millar became a member in 1979 when he was selected to be standard bearer for the Royal Burgh of Lanark. “In addition to fulfilling his official duties as Lord Cornet through to president, Millar was also secretary of the Lord Cornets’ Club for many years, and was also a great source of information and advice. “Respected not just in Lanark but across the many other towns and festivals in Scotland, that knowledge and his unique personality will be greatly missed – especially during Lanimer Week when he was always sought out by many of the visitors to the Royal Burgh.” Millar became a deputy lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire in 2015, serving for seven years until his retirement from the role – and was appointed MBE in the 2022 new year honours, aged 74, for his decades of service to community life in Lanark and sport across Scotland. Lady Susan Haughey, the lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Millar Stoddart. He was a pleasure to know as a person; he always had words of encouragement and support and was very proud of his role as a deputy lieutenant. “I was fortunate to have Millar as a deputy and was delighted when his contribution to sport and his community was recognised with the extremely well deserved award of an MBE. “Millar made an absolutely massive difference to many lives, communities and organisations during a lifetime of committed public service in Lanark, Lanarkshire and beyond. He will be very sadly missed, and my thoughts and sympathies are with his wife, Moira, and all his family and friends at this sad time. “ Clydesdale councillor Catherine McClymont said: “So sad to hear this news about one of Lanark’s true gentlemen. He always had a smile, [was] always happy to help, and will be remembered fondly by so many in the community and beyond”, while neighbouring ward colleague Lynsey Hamilton agreed: “A true gentleman and a pillar of the Lanark and Clydesdale community.” Millar had also served as both chair and honorary president of Clydesdale Sports Council, who also shared their “great sadness” at his passing. He had been presented with a special outstanding contribution award at the organisation’s annual prizegiving – which he had inaugurated four decades earlier, a year after forming the sports council from its Lanark and Carluke predecessors – just months after being appointed MBE in the Queen’s honours list. The organisation – which he served as both chairman and secretary – described him at that 2022 presentation as “a man who is held in the highest esteem throughout the whole of Lanarkshire and further afield”, while Lanark Swimming Club coach Karen Kelly said this week: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Millar – he was a stalwart of Clydesdale Sports Council and always took a keen interest in the club. We extend our condolences to Moira and their family.” Millar attended Lanark Grammar and went on to work from 1970 with Lanarkshire County Council and then Strathclyde Regional Council from 1974 until 1989. He then became sports council development officer for Clydesdale District Council and later South Lanarkshire’s community recreation manager, creating a range of programmes and initiatives, and was instrumental in the establishment of South Lanarkshire Disability Sport, serving as secretary for several years. He had served in numerous roles with both the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils, now known as Scottish Club Sport, and with Scottish Disability Sport. Funeral arrangements are still to be announced. * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!
