A PROMINENT Scottish doctor who explored a treacherous stretch of the Arctic Ocean has died after contracting pneumonia.
Donald Macdonald, who grew up in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, but emigrated to Canada in 1966, was selected to join Canadian survey ship the Baffin on its exploration of the north-west passage in 1970.
The 86-year-old, who also served as a surgeon lieutenant with the Royal Navy, was the medical officer on board the Baffin as it carried out important geological surveys and testing.
He died last Sunday after being admitted to hospital with a broken hip, which could not be operated on due to advanced pneumonia which was diagnosed on his admittance.
His daughter Rona Macdonald paid tribute to her father, who she described as a "doctor for the people".
She said: "He loved his medicine and he never thought twice about going to see someone in need, even if they just needed a chat.
"He was very proud of his Scottish roots and very proud to have gone to Glasgow University and grown up in Bearsden. At his funeral we had bagpipes and tartan everywhere.
"There were a lot of people there and it was actually a happy occasion celebrating the colourful life he led."
Ms Macdonald added her father had a great affection for the sea after his time in the Royal Navy. She said: "He loved the sea and served on the HMS Jamaica when it was attacked. He went out to rescue the dead and the wounded.
"He also visited Nagasaki after the explosion and said he found it very moving."
The doctor met his wife while serving in Hong Kong and moved to Yorkshire on his discharge from the navy to practise family medicine.
He later emigrated to Winnipeg and Nova Scotia where he was selected to join the Baffin.
Ms Macdonald said: "He really enjoyed his time on the Baffin when it went through the north-west passage along with the Hudson, carrying out geological surveys and testing.
"He was the medical officer and served on the ship for about a year. He was very proud of that. He loved the Arctic and loved every aspect of that exploration."
Mr Macdonald was later appointed director of environmental and occupational health for the Atlantic region by the Canadian Government – a position which he retired from in 1990.
He leaves behind his wife Dorothea and another daughter, Anne Thompson. Ms Macdonald added: "He's going to be dearly missed."
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