Canon Michael Milton, a prominent figure in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld, has died in Ninewells Hospital at the age of 55.
He was administrator at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Dundee and organised the diocesan pilgrimages to Lourdes.
That role led to him being given the unique honour two years ago of Canon of Lourdes Grotto.
Canon Milton was born in Keith, Banffshire, and was educated at St Thomas Primary School and Keith Grammar School.
He began his studies for the priesthood at Campion House, Austerley, near London, and completed them at Gillis College in Edinburgh.
Ordained at St Mary’s, Lochee, by Bishop Vincent Logan in 1988, he became priest at St Joseph’s and St Ninian’s both in Dundee and at St Mungo’s in Alloa.
He was then appointed administrator at St Andrew’s and was also archivist for the diocese. He was also parish priest of St Fillan’s Church, in Newport, and Our Lady Star of the Sea, in Tayport.
A year ago he celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood with a mass of thanksgiving in St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Monsignor Ken McCaffrey, vicar general in the diocese, said: “Canon Milton will be a sad loss. He was well respected in the diocese and was an excellent administrator. He was also deeply loved by his people who will be saddened by his passing.”