SCOTLAND'S FARMING industry has paid tribute to one of its leading lights, Maitland Mackie, who died last week following a short illness.

Dr Mackie, 76, the chairman of family run firm Mackie's of Scotland was well known within the farming industry for his entrepreneurship. He helped lead the family business from dairy farming through to successful ice cream and potato crisp ventures.

He was also innovative and committed to renewable energy, alongside a keen interest in politics, which saw him rise to vice-president of NFU Scotland, then stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the first Scottish parliament elections.

The Mackie family said in a statement this week: "We are deeply saddened, as a family and as a business, by the death of our dad and chairman Maitland Mackie. Maitland died peacefully at home after a short illness. We will miss his wonderful enthusiasm, intellect, humour and energy.

"Maitland was born here at Westertown farm and worked here all his life, overseeing the development from milk retail into ice cream." A service of thanksgiving for his life was set to be held at Westertown on Friday this week.

NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller said Mr Mackie had left a legacy to be proud of: "Throughout his life, Maitland Mackie was forward-thinking, innovative and a true entrepreneur. With farming at its core, he built up a family-based agribusiness that has successfully reached beyond farming and into food production and energy generation and left a legacy that the family can be justifiably proud of.

"A former vice president of NFU Scotland, he will be best remembered for pioneering the farm assurance schemes that now underpin the reputation of Scottish produce and the Scotch brand," continued Mr Miller.

"He always gave generously of his time in supporting education while regularly opening the gates at Westertown to fellow farmers to share his experiences. Maitland was a remarkable man. He was engaging, enthusiastic and enlightening and his presence across Scottish food and farming will be sorely missed."

Dr Mackie was also a past chairman of the SAC. SRUC chairman Lord Jamie Lindsay and acting chief executive Janet Swadling said in a joint statement: "Maitland Mackie was chairman of SAC at a pivotal time in its history. It was through his leadership that the merger of the three former regional agricultural colleges was properly embedded. Some of the decisions which had to be taken to move the organisation onto a sound footing were challenging but Maitland provided the vision, drive and support.

"Maitland was an inspirational figure in Scottish agriculture - forward thinking, passionate about innovation and a strong advocate of industry led initiatives. He loved the industry and the people in it. We will deeply miss his encouragement, humour and friendship."