Tributes have been paid to a respected doctor who has died at the age of 89.

Dr Christobel McKay worked in several surgeries over her career including Arlecdon, Rowrah and Frizington, Cleator Moor and Whitehaven.

She was born in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and grew up in Inverness. Dr Donald studied at Aberdeen University, where she met her husband William. They married at King’s College, Aberdeen, in 1954.

The couple moved to West Cumbria in 1958 and took over the practice at Arlecdon and Rowrah (she practised under her maiden name, as Dr Donald, to avoid confusion with her husband).

Her youngest son, Malcolm McKay, said: “She was a brilliant doctor. People said she was the kindest person they had ever met.

“In my lifetime I have never had an argument with my mum. She was my best mate. We got on so well. She will always be with me.

“She had a brilliant mind and never shut it off.

“She loved animals, especially horses. She was very vigorous in the garden and planted lovely flowers and shrubs.”

Dr McKay retired in her early 70s but continued to sit on medical boards until she was 84.

Mr McKay said his mother loved to visit new places. She had visited Orkney last year and had planned to go to Port Maryon in Wales next month.

She leaves behind her husband, Dr McKay, three children, Wendy, Ian and Malcolm, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Her husband said: “She was a joy to work with and live with. I’m very lucky.”

Dr Michael Sydney, who worked alongside her, said: “As a naive new doctor in general practice in the early 70s I quickly appreciated Christobel Donald’s wisdom, experience and common sense.

“Despite a heavy workload, and extensive on call commitments, Christobel provided a high standard of personal and continuing care for her patients in West Cumbria. She was a true doctor of families.

“Always serene and unflappable, Christobel possessed a wry sense of humour. It was a privilege for all of us in the practice to work alongside such an inspiring family doctor.”