Marjorie Linklater

The year after her return she was elected chairman of the Orkney Heritage Society, and was immediately embroiled in the campaign to counter the twin threats of uranium mining in Orkney and the dumping of nuclear waste off its west coast. She led the society's opposition with determination, using her charm and formidable powers of persuasion to gain support.

But Marjorie was also deeply interested in caring for the beauty, history, and character of Orkney, and was instrumental in acquiring a qualified resident archaeologist to update the records of Orkney's rich heritage. That she was able to procure funds from the oil industry for this is a further tribute to her persuasive enthusiasm.

She was a founder member, with Peter Maxwell Davies and others, of the St Magnus Festival in 1976. It was typical of her interest in the local scene, that in 1977 she initiated, produced and performed in the Johnsmas Foy, which established itself as the main literary event of the festival. The Foy, always performed by members of the Orkney community, has become a major showcase for Orkney literature and folklore.

Marjorie was also a founding trustee and one-time chairman of the Pier Arts Centre - an eighteenth century house converted to house a valuable collection of paintings and sculptures by the St Ives Group, donated by Margaret Gardiner. More recently Marjorie was a founder member of the Orkney Folk Festival, now a popular annual event.

She was the tireless organiser for the Orkney and Shetland Scottish National Party. At the 1992 General Election she was still, at the age of 83, tramping round the islands canvassing with the party candidate.

Marjorie Linklater was born in 1909 in Edinburgh, where her father was Ian MacIntyre, Writer to the Signet and sometime Conservative MP for Edinburgh West. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and a brief and not notably distinguished career on the London stage, she concluded she was not cut out to be an actress and returned to Edinburgh. There the abundant energy was immediately devoted to campaigning with Michael MacOwan for the establishment of a Scottish National Theatre.

It was in these circles, late in 1932, that she met Eric Linklater, 10 years her senior, and an established figure on the Scottish literary scene. Marjorie was not only bewitchingly attractive but, according to Eric, also the first girl he'd met with whom he could share a bottle of claret. They married at Old St Paul's, Edinburgh, in June 1933, and the following year settled in Orkney. As well as raising four children, Marjorie took part in local community life, producing winning plays in the drama festivals and playing cello in the orchestra.

In 1947 they moved to Nigg in Easter Ross, and a few years later Marjorie began the public service that was to be her hallmark. She was a member of the Ross and Cromarty County Council for 16 years from 1953 and a member of the Inverness Hospital Board, the Scottish Arts Council, the Advisory Council of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, and the Council of European Architectural Heritage Year.

Marjorie did not always have an easy time as Eric's wife, and he would shout at her when things were not to his liking. Marjorie always claimed the rows were caused by Eric but maintained life with him was never dull.

That could be said about Marjorie, too. Though a tireless campaigner, she could accept other points of view. She was a committed Christian and regular churchgoer. Hers was a brave spirit, undaunted by cancer of the infirmities of old age.

It was fitting her last outing in public was to the closing concert of the 21st St Magnus Festival a few days before her death. She is survived by four children - one of whom is Magnus Link-later, chairman of the Scottish Arts Council and former editor of the Scotsman - and four grandchildren.