Lord Hamish Hay on duty at the Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban

Dr Hamish Hay has been seconded from Inverness to join the Covid team at the Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban.

61 year old Hamish, who is usually a consultant anaesthetist at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and who grew up on the Isle of Mull, is well used to practicing his profession in emergency situations.  He began his career with the Royal Army Medical Corps, where he dealt with front line injuries in war torn Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.  More recently, he spent time with the charity UKMed in West Africa at the height of the Ebola crisis, so he is no stranger to putting his own health at risk to help others.

Hamish is one of the Hays of Yester and could, if he chose (which he does not) call himself 'Lord' Hamish Hay, rather than 'Doctor.'  He is the younger half brother of the present Marquis of Tweeddale, and the youngest of the five sons of the late 12th marquis, who died in 1979.

Although acutely conscious of the responsibility facing his himself and his dedicated team of colleagues, he is full of praise for the people of the area and their careful, responsible approach to coping with the virus: "I believe one of the main reasons we have not been hit by a huge number of cases in Oban is that the local community is following the advice so well.  I am humbled by the degree of respect and self sacrifice the community is showing to ensure people stay well."