The Lieutenancy of Orkney

Elaine was appointed by the late Queen on 15th of February 2020.

She describes herself as a "generational Orcadian" with family lines going back some 500 years. After college and university she worked for 34 years at Orkney Islands Council, first as a primary school teacher in Papdale and Glaitness Primary Schools followed by a period as Assistant Head Teacher at Papdale Primary before taking up the post of Head Teacher at Stromness Primary School in 1988.

After 10 years in Stromness she left to become an Assistant Director of Education where she was responsible for services for children and young people with additional support needs.

After seven years in the education service she left to take on the role of Assistant Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services before leaving the Council in 2011. Since then she has supported many Orcadian voluntary organisations and served on their boards. 

She has been Chair of Orkney Folk Festival; a Director of the Pier Arts Centre; a Director of the St Magnus International Festival; a Director of the Orkney Housing Association; and Vice-Chair of Voluntary Action Orkney. She is currently Chair of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral, Chair of Orkney Children's Trust, a committee member of the Italian Chapel Preservation Society and a Patron of the John Rae Society.