Mystery as Scots architect found dead in freezer

THE death of a Scottish architect whose body was found in a freezer was the subject of a ongoing police probe today.

Boll Holiday Cottages in Alva after the body of Colin Machin, who ran the holiday cottages, was discovered in a freezer at a property in Alva, Clackmannanshire. Picture: PA

The discovery of Colin Machin’s body was made at the home he shared with his wife, Maria, in Alva, Clackmannanshire.

Police are treating the 50-year-old’s death as “unexplained”. It is understood that police are working on the presumption that no crime was involved in the death of Mr Machin, whose body was found on Wednesday.

The father-of-two’s family and friends have been devastated by the tragedy.

Maria Machin, 51, and their daughters Erin, 21, and Sinead, 23, declined to comment - as did Mr Machin’s partners at architecture firm Machlin, Dunn and Macfarlane in Alloa.

The Dundee University graduate also ran Machin Associates and he and his wife rented out several holiday cottages at their home at Boll Farm.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland is investigating the unexplained death of a 50-year-old man at an address in Alva. Inquiries are ongoing.”

Mr Machin’s friends and family paid tribute online to a man with a “huge heart”.

His daughter, Erin, changed her profile picture on Facebook to a photo of her and her father and posted lyrics from the song Caledonia, saying: “Let me tell you that I love you. And I think about you all the time.”

Friend Kevin Hogg wrote: “Such a great guy with a huge heart. Such a privilege having been a friend, so sad to have have lost a great friend.”

Margaret Paterson added: “There are not enough words to say how sad Jock and I are to hear about Colin. A wonderful person and loyal friend whom I will miss very much. My love to you all.”

Another friend wrote: “I did not want to believe what I was hearing, just heartbroken for you all.

“Colin will be so missed by everyone who knew him.”

Pauline Fisher told Erin: “So so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great friend and so much fun to be around. We will miss him. All our love to you.”

As well as the Boll Farm holiday cottages, the couple also rented out a holiday home in Leuchars.

On a website advertising the business, Mrs Machin wrote: “We bought Boll Farm in Alva then a derelict site in early 2000, where we created our home and five holiday cottages.

“I love being here and enjoy meeting my guests from all parts of the globe.”