'Truly inspirational' Scottish hotelier dies age 77

Well-known Aberdeen hotelier, Stewart Spence MBE, has died age 77.

Mr Spence owned a number of hotels in the city during his career, most notably the celebrated Marcliffe.

His son Ross had held the managing director position after his father's retirement in 2021. The Spence family sold the hotel to the Balmoral Group last summer.

Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels' Association chairman Frank Whitaker described the news of Mr Spence's death as "truly the passing of an icon".

Mr Spence was awarded an MBE for services to tourism in 2015.

"The hotel community in Aberdeen and the north east is saddened by the loss of a truly inspirational hotelier," industry spokesman Mr Whitaker said.

"Stewart was a real professional, recognising at an early stage that Aberdeen needed to work hard together to have legacy success from a burgeoning oil industry."

He said Mr Spence positioned The Marcliffe as "Aberdeen's luxury place to stay".

Mr Whitaker added: "He was a towering figure in the region's hotel world and many of us in the industry would be proud to leave a fraction of the legacy that he has.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Stewart's family."

Sir Jim Milne, chairman of Balmoral Group, added: "Maintaining the quality and standards that he set at The Marcliffe is of the utmost importance to us.

"Stewart was recognised as one of the best hoteliers in Scotland, and it's through his work that we have strong foundations to continue his legacy."

The popular venue for wedding receptions and functions has been at North Deeside Road since 1993.

The Marcliffe was opened by Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, who was in the city to receive the Freedom of Aberdeen.