Obituary: Capt Colin Farquharson

CAPTAIN Colin Farquharson was a distinguished and much-respected figure throughout Aberdeenshire and his contribution to many aspects of community life was recognised in the high esteem in which he was held.

As Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, he greeted many members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries at Aberdeen station on their way to Balmoral.

Resplendent in kilt, Farquharson cut a striking and impressive figure on the platform.

When not wearing the official uniform of the Lord Lieutenant, he took pride in wearing the kilt at functions whenever possible.

He had the ability to put people at their ease and carried out all his duties with a fine mix of dignity and informality. Farquharson had served in the war and then worked as a chartered surveyor, before being appointed factor at Haddo House, where he was instrumental in rebuilding and greatly improving the estate.

Colin Andrew Farquharson was educated at Rugby and was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1942. He principally served in North Africa and on the Italian campaign, before being appointed aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander (later Earl Alexander of Tunis).

In 1953, Farquharson worked as a chartered surveyor and land agent in Brechin, before becoming factor to the Haddo House estates in 1957. It was a post he was to fill for almost 30 years with much energy, commitment and drive.

Lord Aberdeen, whose wife, Lady Joanna, is Farquharson's stepdaughter, spoke warmly of Farquharson's time at Haddo."Colin was a truly remarkable man. When I inherited Haddo he was a tremendous support, and I will always be grateful for the sound advice he consistently dispensed.

"In the late 1950s, there was still much to do after the austerity of the post-war era. Colin modernised the houses and farms and did much to upgrade the road system."

In 1953, there had been a ferocious gale throughout the North-east and much of the forestry on the estate was ruined. Farquharson put in hand a far-reaching scheme to replant the area, which continued until the mid-1960s.

His work to improve the working and social conditions on the estate was of much importance, and Haddo House has become one of the major employers in the area.

It was in the 1960s that Farquharson started to involve himself with various Aberdeenshire charitable projects.

In 1962, he was appointed to the board of the Royal Cornhill Hospitals and also held important local positions, such as a director of MacRobert Farms (Douneside) Ltd, chairman of Gordon Local Health Council (1975-81) and then member of the Grampian Health Board (1981-89).

Farquharson was an active member of the community in various fields – especially after he was appointed a Vice Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1983. He became Lord Lieutenant in 1987 and always made time to attend local events, which, by his genial presence, he made special.

He made it his business to see everything going like clockwork with as little fuss as possible. His work, and the manner of his carrying out his duties as Lord Lieutenant, ensured that he was highly regarded throughout the county.

He also maintained a close association with the Territorial Army in the North-east and gave much of his time to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, Scotland.

He was District President of North-east Region Scouts, Scotland, and often attended their camps and those of the Girl Guide. He was particularly pleased to open the Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games in 1998.

Bob Forsyth, a committee member of the games, said Farquharson was "an enthusiastic supporter of the games and attended regularly. Colin took a real pleasure in his work as Lord Lieutenant and tried to attend the village churches on Armistice Day, as well as the principal services in Aberdeen. He was a most generous and kind-hearted man."

One of his treasured annual duties was at the Braemar Highland Gathering, where he formally greeted the royal party on their arrival. Farquharson was a keen follower of cricket and a member of the MCC. He often ensured the test match score was relayed on the public address system at the games.

"The foundations which Colin laid in the 1960s," Lord Aberdeen told The Scotsman, "have been of enormous benefit to Haddo. The estate is now thriving, thanks to his planning and foresight all those years ago. Colin was a very sound factor and a great servant to Aberdeenshire."

In 1948, Farquharson married his first wife, Lady Jean Hamilton of Skene, who died in 1985. In 1987, he married Clodagh Houldsworth, whom he met when both were on Grampian Health Board.

Capt Farquharson is survived by his wife, and two daughters from his previous marriage.