I remember the first night Dougie arrived in Whangarei. He had just collected his very flash Zepher six off the boat and he parked it outside our home in Dundonald rd. The local lads thought it very flash also and decided to borrow it. As a young teenager It was now my job to ferry Dougie about looking for somewhere he could live. While driving along a particularly windy, bumpy, dusty metal road called Whangarei heads road we got a puncture. Although I had never changed a car tire before I must have looked capable as Dougie left me to it and set off up the nearest hill. From there he looked down the harbor to the heads and decided that is where he wanted to settle. Within a few weeks Meg and his children arrived from England, and they purchased their piece of paradise at McKenzie Bay where he stayed for nearly 50 years. Dougie thought he got a great deal as the house came complete, even with a freezer full of sheep meat. Love you and Meg always. Rob McDiarmid

So many fond memories of my times at ‘Apin’ with Uncle Dougie jamming in the studio, or recording videos and making movies. Always up for a chat, often not letting you get a word in 😅 he will be sorely missed, love you Uncle Dougie.

Greg and I have known Dougie for about 25 years. Dougie was a great storyteller and very entertaining. We stayed with Dougie and his wife Meg quite often over the years at Al In Cottage and valued their friendship. Dougie was a good musician and I loved playing tunes with him. He and Meg always dressed beautifully for the many dances we played for as part of the Gaidhealtachd band. Dougie was a very talented artist I particularly loved his watercolours. He will be missed by many people and we are privileged to have known him. He was a valued friend .RIP Dougie♥️🎶

Many a warm welcome and cups of tea, a fireside chat, will be remembered and treasured, from ' next door '.

I first met Dougie in 2003 at Auckland folk festival when introduced to me by my friend Nigel Champion as 'someone with a problem with his melodeon'. As a repairer visiting I talked with him, and said 'if only I had my tools I could fix that, but I'm here on holiday'. Nigel said 'what do you need?' and on his kitchen table the next day I was able to put the fault right. A grateful Dougie invited me to his new year celebration, and as I had already decided I was returning that sealed it for me. Doug and Meg made me very welcome and then took me across to the Gaidhealtachd and introduced me. My skills as a performer, teacher and repairer were welcomed, and that led to contacts all over New Zealand, thanks to Doug. I always loved the summer school, the fellowship and community built up over the years. I continued to be welcome by Doug and Meg at Appin, and have so many fond stories and memories from there. They organised a fundraising concert for me for the Tsunami appeal, and hosted garden concerts and ceilidhs at New Year and other times. Having borrowed Doug's Guitar from the living room wall for my tours, I was delighted when he agreed to sell it to me, part of the price being a melodeon which he collected when he came to stay with me in Coventry. I am proud to have known them both, and spoke to him days ago, thanking him and stressing that his art is all over the world. He will be remembered and missed. Bless you Dougie, RIP