We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE at the age of 95. 

Connected with Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) since 1957, including terms as Vice-Chair (1987-90) and Chair (1990-95), he made an immense contribution to sport and the Commonwealth Games movement in Scotland and beyond. His involvement with CGS also saw him take on team roles at Commonwealth Games including as General Team Manager at Victoria 1994 and leading the team as Chef de Mission at Kuala Lumpur 1998. 

Former Chair at Weightlifting Scotland, he served for many years as Scottish National Weightlifting Coach and worked at numerous World, European and Commonwealth Championships as a technical official, referee, or coach. He was also an official in bodybuilding and was a founding member of the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association. 

In the 1960s, David began promoting the Highland Games internationally as a way to bring tourists to Scotland and helped to revive some of the traditional Scottish sports such as stone-lifting and caber-tossing. He founded the World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships in 1980, an annual event which has now been held across the world including Scotland, USA, Canada, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands. 

He was awarded an OBE in 1995 for service to sport. 

Jon Doig OBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Honorary Life President, David Webster OBE. 

“He was a real inspiration to all who met him and a driving force in the worlds of weightlifting, bodybuilding and Highland Games. Commonwealth Games Scotland owes him a debt of gratitude for over 65 years’ service in various roles, including as Chair, as well as in team roles at several Games. 

“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time, and we share their pride in all he has achieved.”