Respected former newspaper editor and local councillor, Ann Galbraith, dies aged 83

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to legendary former reporter, editor and councillor Ann Galbraith after her death aged 83 was announced at the weekend.

Former Ayr Grammar School pupil Ann (née Patterson) had a choice of career between journalism and music: she was a fine opera singer and had thought about joining her friend Pat Hay in pursuing that line (Pat became a principal singer with Scottish Opera).

Journalism it was, and she started out working locally – although moved to work at the Sunday Mail (aged around 21) in around 1962, which on occasion saw her broaden her expertise to writing horoscopes.

READ MORE:BBC Mastermind contestant shares heartbreak on show as viewers left 'in tears'

READ MORE:Young Irvine businessman aims to make most of harbour expansion

She also worked for a time with the Ayrshire Post.

Ann lived in Girvan for a number of years. During her time there, she reported on the ‘Duel in the Sun’, the Open Championship cliffhanger between victor Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry.

She also ran a popular local restaurant ‘La Bonne Table’ with her husband, Wallace Galbraith (of the family of Galbraiths the bakers, which used to be at the site of Marks & Spencer in Ayr).

Other famous encounters in the name of journalism included seeing Elvis when he was at Prestwick Airport in 1960, and meeting film legends Sean Connery and Robert Powell at Turnberry.

Ann became chief reporter of Scotland’s oldest weekly newspaper the Ayr Advertiser before becoming an outstanding editor during the 1990s and into the 2000s.

And she was famed for her One Woman’s View column, in which she took aim at the establishment, often the council, on issues she felt very strongly about.

She was a dedicated professional with high standards and great at motivating and encouraging her staff, but also at times, keeping them on their toes.

Ann was also the first woman to chair the Scottish Region of the Society of Editors.

Reporter Stewart McConnell recalled how he undertook the daunting task of doorstepping Bill Barr in his office a couple of hours from deadline to get a full rundown on the opening of the Centrum Arena as not enough information had been forthcoming and the story was secured bang on time for the deadline.

In 2007, she was elected to South Ayrshire Council and managed to get an invite onto President Donald Trump’s private jet – even if she did have to take her shoes off!

Ann was also an author and penned the book The Dream Wouldn’t Die: The 50 Year Fight for Glasgow Prestwick Airport in 2010.

After retiring from the council in 2017, she moved to Portobello to be closer to her daughter, Amber. While there she became an active member of the local community, working for the local foodbank.

Music has always been an important part of her life.

In her early 20s she was the secretary of the Ayr Folk Society, and through that began dating a then relatively unknown Billy Connolly, who was part of the Humblebums with Gerry Rafferty. She also took part in many local productions, and sang in choirs throughout her life.

Ann was a founding member of the Town Twinning Association, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary.

She was part of the first trip to St Germain En Laye, and formed a close and enduring friendship with the Jollet Family – Jacques Jollet being the photographer with the local paper.

Tributes have been coming in from the Scottish and French sides of the twinning association.

Another important local connection was with Women’s Aid. Ann was on the board, and even after her move to Portobello, regularly attended meetings and played an active role in the organisation.

It was extremely important to her, and she enjoyed her involvement and contribution.