WARM tributes have been paid to former journalist, author and South Ayrshire councillor Ann Galbraith, whose death at the age of 83 was announced at the weekend.

A former editor of the Ayr Advertiser in the 1990s and 2000s, Ann made her name as a fierce fighter for the area, first as a writer and editor, then as a Conservative councillor.

A former colleague said: "Ann's career in journalism included a stint on the Ayrshire Post  and a spell editing the Carrick Herald. 

"She later became a talented chief reporter with the Advertiser, then an exceptional editor and was the first woman to chair the Scottish Region of the Society of Editors. She will be much missed by her former workmates."

Ann was also an author, penning the book The Dream That Wouldn't Die: The 50 Year Fight for Glasgow Prestwick Airport back in 2010.

As editor of the Ayr Advertiser and Carrick Herald, she wrote a weekly column - One Woman`s View – hitting out at what she thought was wrong in South Ayrshire. The subject of her criticism was frequently the council.

Eventually, she stood for the council herself as a Conservative candidate, finally winning a seat in 2007. During her decade as a councillor, she chaired the South Ayrshire licensing board. 

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council's Conservative administration said: "Councillor Ann Galbraith was first elected as a local councillor in Ward 7, Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton in 2007.

"Having required transferred votes to finally get across the line in 2007 she turned that around in 2012.

"After five years in office, she had impressed her constituents so much that she sailed through on the first round and did not require transferred votes.

"The constituents of ward 7 chose wisely when they elected Ann and she never lost sight of her responsibility to them.

"Ann was a valued colleague and friend whose advice was always welcome and well founded. Her career as a journalist and author prepared her well for the scrutiny roles that she relished.

"Ann was a hardworking, diligent and fiery councillor whose top priority was always the best interests of her constituents, and she was not shy about voicing her support for them.

"She was diligent in her roles in scrutiny committees always asking pertinent questions which demanded full responses. Ann was an excellent councillor who fulfilled the breadth of the role with good humour and diligence.

"Ann’s passing will be mourned by past and present councillors of all political persuasions. Many became close acquaintances and in some cases close friends of Ann.”

Our condolences to Ann's family and friends.