An insight into the 'Lieutenancy' with Sheriff Iona McDonald, Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran- visitors welcome

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran is Sheriff Iona Sara McDonald. She was appointed in 2017 by Her Majesty The Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, having previously served as a Deputy Lieutenant since 2014. 

Sheriff McDonald was educated at Cumnock Academy and she graduated from Glasgow University with a Master of Arts in 1976 and Law degree in 1978. She subsequently joined the Ayr firm Mathie-Morton, Black and Buchanan and became a partner in 1982. She was appointed as a temporary Sheriff in 1994 and received a full appointment in 2000 to the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde, sitting in Paisley and Kilmarnock Sheriff courts. Since 2007 she has been Senior Sheriff at Kilmarnock.

During her distinguished career Sheriff McDonald has held a number of other positions. She has acted as a court reporter in family cases and as a safeguarder in children’s hearings. She has been a facilitator for judicial studies training and a mentor to newly appointed Sheriffs. In 2010 she was appointed a member of the Scottish Courts Service Board where she is chair of the Estates Committee. She was also involved in the training of Justices of the Peace and Children’s Panel members. Sheriff Iona McDonald is involved in charity fundraising, in particular for the British Heart Foundation.