Tributes to former Ardbrecknish House owner after sad passing

In the 1980’s, as well as bringing up two much-loved, lively twin boys, Euan and Rob, Donald also developed his boatyard nearby on Loch Awe where Ardbrecknish House guests could rent boats to explore all the loch had to offer. Eventually the boatyard attracted fishing enthusiasts and clubs from all over Scotland and Donald’s local knowledge of life on the loch soon became legendary.

He was a founding member and past chairman of the Loch Awe Improvement Association, restocking the loch with trout every year and generally looking after the loch and loch side for residents and visitors and, when boating accidents occurred, Donald was always the first port of call for police and loch users in trouble. 

Donald was generous with his time and skills as an architect locally helping residents with planning applications etc. He was an enthusiastic regular at bowling events in Portsonachan Village Hall and often played host at games nights in Ardbrecknish House.

Fly fishing remained a consuming passion for Donald all his life until failing health in 2019 decided him to move to Australia to be with his son Rob and family. But a large part of his heart always remained in Ardbrecknish.

Donald is pre-deceased by his wife Beth and son Euan and survived by son Rob, daughter-in-law Harvey, grandsons Elijah and William in Australia, daughter-in-law Steff and granddaughter Willow in New Zealand, and brother Alan in Glasgow.