Highland News and Media journalist Neil MacPhail dies suddenly prompting outpour of love and tributes
The Highlands’ most experienced working journalist has died suddenly but peacefully at his home in Inverness at the age of 76 after almost six decades working in newspapers.
Neil MacPhail was held in high regard by anyone who met him, whether it be professionally or personally, interviewing personalities and politicians and many of his colleagues, clearly shocked at his unexpected death, have queued to pay tribute to him.
Brought up in Campbeltown in Argyll, his father was a farm manager and his mother a teacher but Neil sought a career in journalism, moving from the west coast to the east coast to begin working in newspapers.
He began as a trainee with Aberdeen Journals at their original Broad Street headquarters in 1968 but moved to Inverness soon after when he was seconded to the branch office for a six-month spell as part of his training. Neil never left the Highland capital.
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His engaging wit and infectious giggle endeared him to everyone who worked there, but it was his talent as a scribe which was most impressive. He covered all the biggest stories with accuracy, speed, fairness and compassion.
He had met his wife, Irene, beforehand, they married and although they latterly divorced, they still remained friendly. They had a daughter Lindsey, now head of children’s services and chief social work officer in East Lothian, and a son Calum - a paramedic in the central belt - and he was very proud of their achievements.
He also doted on his granddaughter Phoebe - a pony lover - and he marvelled at her expertise in the saddle, as well as grandson Innes, who he loved watching play rugby, making as many trips south as he could to see all of his family.
In those early days of his career, Neil did Saturday shifts for a national Sunday newspaper and this extended his reputation. He decided to set up his own freelance agency and quickly became a success, with his wealth of knowledge and extensive list of contacts rattling up exclusive after exclusive.
However as the industry changed, Neil decided to return to the security of a staff job, again with the Press and Journal for a time before he was recruited as bureau chief for David Love's freelance agency. He was an obvious choice for David who was running a PR company in tandem with serving national newspapers and needed Neil at the helm of the agency.
But when the Press and Journal came calling again seeking a north news editor for their Inverness office, Neil took up the challenge, relishing the role while nurturing the Journal’s younger talent.
In 2015, he was honoured by his peers by being presented with the Barron Trophy, in recognition of his lifetime contribution to the industry.
Former chairman of the Highlands and Islands Media Awards judging panel Gordon Fyfe said: "Neil was a top operator. He was fearless and fair in his quest for news over six decades. Such a huge loss to journalism in the north."
On his retiral from the P&J, Neil mulled over his future and then the Highland News followed by sister title The Inverness Courier and its parent company's batch of north titles came calling with the offer of a part-time job. It didn't take Neil long to pick up his pen and notebook again for three days a week, tackling a variety of material with his traditional flair and precision. He was due to be working on the day he died, and when he was not in contact, the alarm bells began ringing. It was not like him.
Andy Dixon, content editor at The Inverness Courier, said: "Neil was one of a kind and got on with everyone. He was a master of the craft of journalism and could turn his hand to anything we asked him to do - whether it was speaking to a couple who had been married 60 years or covering the most heartbreaking fatal accident inquiry, his work would be exemplary.
"Being in the industry all his life, he obviously saw a lot of big changes and where he readily admitted he had tech weaknesses, he made up for it with wise counsel and being one of the best connected reporters in the city.
"Although he was part-time, he was still thriving with his work being among our most read content. He had a heart of gold and while younger colleagues provided him with tech support, he provided them with tips and advice, contacts and knowledge that was second to none. We will miss him greatly but remember him fondly."
Neil's funeral is still to be finalised but details will follow and his fellow pen-pushers from across the country are expected to join family and friends in tribute to one of the north's finest.
Friend and work colleague for over 50 years, David Love said: "We are all still reeling from the shock. Neil gave the impression he was immortal, never really ageing and retaining a humour and mind as sharp as his pen points. I have known him since I was a teenager and he helped me immensely on my path in papers.
"Neil liked party-time as we all did, but predominately he never forgot he was a professional and that shone through in everything he did. I will miss him greatly."
Retired Inverness-based reporter Alan Dow said of his close friend: “I have known Neil as one of the Highlands foremost reporters ever since I came north 50 years ago to work for The Daily Record.
“He was a good friend and admired journalist. He interviewed countless celebrities and at least two Prime Ministers - Maggie Thatcher and Gordon Brown - while they were on Highland visits.
“And he was the first journalist to get an interview many years ago with the recently dead Bill MacDowell who went on to be convicted of the notorious murders of Renee MacRae and her three-year-old son Andrew whose bodies have never been found.
“Neil will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."
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