Archie represented Annandale East and Eskdale following his election to the council as Scottish Labour councillor in 2007. During 19 years as an elected member, he served as a senior councillor, chaired a number of council committees and held the role of Depute Convener and Civic Head. He was a passionate advocate for the communities and people he represented.
Update: 24 September 2026
Councillors paid tribute to Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 24 September.
The Convener of Dumfries and Galloway Council led the tributes, with councillors reflecting on Archie’s contribution to the council, the communities he represented and public life across Dumfries and Galloway. Councillors then observed a minute’s silence in his memory.
Books of Condolence
Books of Condolence are available for members of the public, colleagues and councillors who wish to pay their respects to Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE at the following locations:
Council Headquarters
English Street
Dumfries
DG1 2DD
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Annan Customer Service Centre
Town Hall
Annan
DG12 6AQ
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; Saturday, 9am to midday
Langholm Customer Service Centre
Langholm Library
Market Place
Langholm
DG13 0JQ
Opening hours: Monday and Thursday, 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 4pm; Friday, 10am to midday and 12.30pm to 4pm
Gretna Registration Office and Customer Service Centre
Central Avenue
Gretna
DG16 5AQ
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; Saturday, 9am to 4pm; Sunday, 10am to 4pm
The Books of Condolence will remain open until end of day Thursday 8 October.
Service was a constant throughout Archie’s life. A former Gordon Highlander, he served as Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion and worked tirelessly on behalf of serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Archie was a familiar presence at Remembrance and Armed Forces events across Dumfries and Galloway. He led commemorations for significant events, including the First World War centenary and the Quintinshill Disaster, helping to ensure that service and sacrifice continued to be recognised by new generations.
He also served as Area Secretary for Royal British Legion Scotland’s Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway area, supporting 34 branches and nine clubs.
Archie’s service was recognised nationally on numerous occasions. He received an MBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to the Armed Forces and local authority and was named Role Model of the Year at the Scottish Veterans Awards in 2024. He also served as National Chair of the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) during 2024/25. In September 2025, the Association for Public Service Excellence presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to local government.
Archie’s commitment to his area extended well beyond the council chamber. He worked at Chapelcross for 27 years, initially in operations and later in training and development, before leaving Magnox in 2013. He developed a nuclear operators’ first-aid course covering first aid, defibrillator use, casualty handling, oxygen therapy and the decontamination of wounds, which was rolled out across Magnox sites. He was elected Chair of the Chapelcross Site Stakeholder Group in 2017.
Council Leader Councillor Stephen Thompson said:
“Archie was a deeply committed public servant who gave so much of himself to Dumfries and Galloway. He cared greatly about the communities he represented and about the serving personnel, veterans and families he worked so hard to support.
“Archie’s personality and his willingness to help others earned him respect across the council and throughout our region.
“We have lost not only a dedicated councillor and passionate champion of the armed forces community, but also a respected colleague and friend, who will be greatly missed.
“On behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council, I offer my deepest condolences to Archie’s family, friends and all those close to him.”
The thoughts of everyone at Dumfries and Galloway Council are with Archie’s family, friends and all those who knew him at this very sad time.