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‘Skilled’ former daily assistant editor dies aged 89 after cancer fight

Jim KinnairdA “highly competent and skilled” journalist who spent 45 years on the staff of a regional daily has died aged 89.

Tributes have been paid to Jim Kinnaird, left, who worked for Aberdeen daily the Press & Journal in various roles including features editor and assistant editor.

Jim also served as the P&J’s fishing and shipping correspondent at a time when the P&J, with a circulation approaching 120,000 copies, was recognised as the UK’s leading authority on the global fishing industry.

Jim, who had battled prostate cancer, died unexpectedly during a planned short stay in St Vincent’s Hospital, Kingussie.

Born in Peterhead, Jim’s was brought up by his mother Bertha after his father Henry, a plumber, was killed falling from the roof of a house in 1935.

He left school early to join the office staff in Aberdeen Journals’ Peterhead office, on condition he eventually be considered for a journalistic post.

After two years of National Service in the Royal Navy, he joined the P&J as a reporter in Aberdeen in 1950 and also had two spells covering Buchan for the newspapers.

Following his stint as fishing and shipping correspondent, Jim was appointed features editor in 1976 and assistant editor in 1987.  He retired in 1991.

Bob Allan, former chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “Jim was a highly competent, skilled journalist who reported on fishery matters with great clarity and commitment. He clearly relished his involvement with the industry, as it did with him.”

Former Evening Express deputy news editor Neil Horne described Jim as “a fine journalist and a true gentleman”, while broadcaster Frank Gilfeather described him as “one of life’s nice guys with a great sense of humour”.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Susan and Jill, and grandchildren Alastair, Lynsey, Calum and Andrew, as well as his older brother Jack.

A private cremation will be followed by a service of thanksgiving at Carrbridge Church, in the Scottish Highlands, at 1pm today.