Dundee’s Lord Provost Ian Borthwick has retired after nearly 60-years of service to his city.
The 83-year-old is the longest serving councillor in Scotland.
He was first elected in 1963 - when John F Kennedy was the president of the United States and building started on the Tay Road Bridge.
At his final council meeting this week he described his time in local politics as “an absolute privilege.”
After thanking his family - wife Linda, who tragically passed away in her sleep in 2021 after 41-years of marriage, and children Ian and Amy - he spoke with great pride about Dundee and its people.
He said: “To be given the opportunity to help, support and to encourage the people of this fine city is what I am most proud of and of course, laterally in my role as the Lord Provost of the City of Dundee.
“It is the role of Elected Member and now Lord Provost that is most important in being able to have influence to deliver a better future for our citizens and I believe over the last 59 years I have achieved this.
“I remember a considerable time ago a recently elected councillor was asked “John, how does it feel now you are a councillor” and his reply was “well when I got up this morning and put my feet on the floor, the linoleum was just as cold”.
Cllr Borthwick initially represented Labour for the city’s Dudhope ward.
In 1964 this changed to Downfield before becoming Strathmartine.
He led the opposition Labour group between 1975 and 1986 but left in 1987 over “broken promises” and went independent.
During his career he has been the convener for the police, social work, public works and parks departments and became the city’s Lord provost in 2017.
Looking to the future, he told council members: “For the greater good and for the people of Dundee, we must never shirk from asking difficult questions and calling for level heads.
“We are fortunate to enjoy a strong sense of partnership in every aspect of life in Dundee and that team approach is the only way to tackle the issues that are ahead of us.”
And he added: “What I would like you to take away from my words this evening is that the work is never done…Dundee is a great City, its residents deserve a bright future.
“So as Lord Provost of the City of Dundee and a serving Councillor for 59 years I thank each and everyone of you and am sure I leave the reigns in good hands.
“It has been an absolute privilege.”
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