After more than 20 years in the job, Lorna Dempster retired from managing Blythswood’s Highland Foodbank at the end of December. Acknowledging her commitment, Blythswood’s chief executive Jeremy Ross said: “Lorna has a record no one can match in running foodbanks in Scotland.

“She saw the opportunity to set up the first foodbank in 2005 and seized it with courage and compassion. From that first step, she’s been driven by a heart to serve – not just the people of Inverness, but communities right across the Highlands.”

Blythswood is now in the process of handing over Highland Foodbank to New Start Highland. Jeremy explains: “While Blythswood has partnerships in Europe, Africa and Asia, our board has decided the time is right to hand over the governance of Highland Foodbank to an organisation with a local focus.”

In 2025, Highland Foodbank provided 5,434 people with a three-day supply of non-perishable foodstuffs, helping them survive financial crises without going hungry.

Courage and compassion: Lorna set up Highland Foodbank in 2005 and managed it for 20 years.