Obituary: Gibbie McIntosh MBE FSAScot,

Born: 11 October, 1924, in Towie, Aberdeenshire. Died: 31 August, 2011, in Alford, Aberdeenshire, aged 86.

As secretary of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, he proved a minor hero in maintaining the heritage of the historic March of the Lonach Highlanders, when annually some 150 fully-garbed Highlanders, headed by Lonach Pipe Band, march through the glens of Upper Donside before making their appearance in the ring of the Lonach Gathering.

The decades of the late 1960s and early 1970s were dark days across Scotland, when so much intangible culture vanished, driven down by changing social values.

So many annual gatherings, shows, games, events, functions and local cultural activities disappeared all over Scotland. Gibbie, however, worked desperately hard to maintain the apparently dying traditions of Lonach, all but begging anyone with a kilt and bonnet in the neighbourhood to enter the Lonach march.

Thanks to his work and that of his team, the Lonach Gathering today is a major event, when visitors in their thousands flock to Strathdon every fourth Saturday in August to see the march, led by Lonach patron Sir James Forbes of Newe, Bart, that is now the last of its kind in Scotland, the envy of Highland gatherings across the globe, and with a guest list which includes Billy Connolly as a local laird and supporter.

Gibson Cobb McIntosh MBE FSAScot was born at Mill of Towie, just across the hill from the Lonach muster point, and in the best of ways, Lonach was his life. Society secretary for more than a quarter of a century and an active committee member for years before that, he insisted on holding to the traditions and precepts which underpinned the establishment of the Society in 1823 – the maintenance of the Highland way of life; the wearing of the kilt; care for the poor of the area; and the promotion of amity and friendship.

Addressing assembled Lonach Highlanders at the final dram stop of the famous Lonach March just four days before her husband died, Gibbie’s wife Thelma remarked presciently: “Lonach is Gibbie’s life. It comes first in all of his work.”

Life in his beloved Strathdon saw him write two books on local life and lore, and edit an anthology of local writings. His zest for local heritage saw him elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, while his lifelong work for the community were recognised with his being made an MBE in 1994. He helped to establish Upper Donside Community Council. When the famous and historic Lonach Hall began to show its age, he proved a driving force in creating the funding which allowed a £1 million rebuilding and refurbishment to take place. His lifetime interest in service matters – he served as a driver with the Royal Army Service Corps in World War II – saw him appointed president of Upper Donside Royal British Legion.

Ever the enthusiast for life, the youthful Gibbie gave little hint of the enterprising businessman who would rise to owning and running the local hotel. Educated locally, he considered himself fortunate to land a job as conductor with W Alexander & Sons (Northern) Ltd, the transport company whose Bluebird buses were a byword in north-east Scotland. He moved to driving, with his first wife Ethel (née Elrick) as conductress.

Together they took over the post office in Strathdon, creating a commercial success that saw them eventually buying the Colquhonnie Hotel – an historic howff that by no coincidence at all was almost an alternative home to Lonach.

In his role as Lonach office-bearer, Mr McIntosh played a significant role. Learned in Society history, he insisted on the observance of tradition – that, for example, as stated in the rule book, the kilt was obligatory apparel to all Society meetings. His commitment and integrity enjoyed wide appeal, and he enjoyed fruitful working relationships with successive patrons of the ancient house of Forbes of Newe.

In 1973, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the society, he and the late Sir John Forbes of Newe successfully worked out the difficult historical arithmetic that the 150th gathering of the society would fall in 1991.

When it did, there was huge local celebration, with the Highlanders led by successor patron Sir Hamish Forbes of Newe marching over the hills to the Braemar Gathering to parade with their colours in front of the Queen.

Five years later, the society became Scotland’s sole representative in Hungary at the 1,100th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of that nation, and Gibbie along with Sir Hamish, was one of the core group who planned the successful accomplishment of a ten-day, ten-city, 1,000-mile tour starting and finishing in Budapest.

Gibbie McIntosh was predeceased by his wife Ethel, and remarried Thelma (previously Hodge). He is survived by her, his son James, and grandchildren.

GORDON CASELY