Remembering Les Aird

The Festival Team pay tribute to founding member Les Aird

It is with great sadness we must reflect on the passing of Leslie (Les) Aird. As one of the founders of the Dundee Mountain Film Festival he was a real rock throughout its foundation and the success of its development.

Les greeted visitors at the entrance to Bonar Hall as the Festival’s gatekeeper. He also spent many years as the Festival’s treasurer, always carefully monitoring spending and maintaining firm control over DMFF finances.

A number of DMFF stalwarts attended his funeral service at the Dundee Crematorium in May this year. There was at tear in many an eye when the first hymn rang out, “I to the hills will lift mine eyes.”

The committal and final goodbye featured the song by The Corries, “Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free.” The hills and our festival were central throughout his life.

His legacy presents a challenge for future generations to match, and he will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be greatly missed.