Clive Freshwater

Died: January 21, 2015.

Clive Freshwater, who has died aged 76, was the entrepreneur behind the sporting centre on the shores of Loch Insh. From rather basic beginnings in 1969, he built up a successful business that has greatly contributed to the economy of the Highlands and provided an all-year-round sporting venue.

Freshwater's pioneering spirit and commercial vision was rewarded when the business was named the Small Business of the Year for the Highlands and Islands in 2005. That year the Princess Royal opened an extension at the centre, commenting "so much has been done here".

Clive Freshwater was born in Nottinghamshire and attended Alford Grammar School. A keen footballer he was signed at 16 by Grimsby Town and, while playing, studied for a diploma in physical education. He was the goalkeeper for the Leeds A team under Don Revie.

Injury ended his football career and, while teaching PE in Nottingham, he worked at Glenmore Lodge near Loch Morlich in the summer. In 1961 he was appointed an instructor there and taught skiing, sailing and mountaineering. Soon he added canoeing.

It was canoeing that landed him in a celebrated legal case that was, eventually, decided in the House of Lords. Freshwater's plan was to take parties of canoers on a two-day expedition down the River Spey. The owners of the valuable salmon fishing complained that the turbulence caused in the river interfered with the angling. "It was," Freshwater boldly stated, "a matter of principle."

After four years of protracted legal wrangling, the case reached the House of Lords and Lords Hailsham and Salmon pronounced in his favour: citing a case dating from 1782 when a public right of navigation had been established on the Spey.

By dint of his hard work and steely determination, Freshwater gradually expanded the centre, including snowboarding, kayaking and archery, and it is now recognised as a place of excellence for sporting instruction and relaxation. It has proved a magnet for young groups and over 200 students can be accommodated a night in specialised chalets.

Freshwater also diversified into various other activities such as catering and large scale functions such as weddings.

He became a proficient skier and qualified as an instructor serving for over a decade as chairman of the British Association of Snowsports Instructors.

Freshwater was keen to protect the environment- they were conscious that they were running a business in one of the most picturesque and unspoilt areas of Scotland. Many of the log cabins at the Centre were constructed from telegraph poles salvaged from the old A9, as was his own house on the lochside.

He was a popular figure throughout the Highlands and demonstrated resilience when he busked in many of the neighbouring villages to raise funds for the expensive legal case against the owners of the fishing rights.

Tom Drysdale was Freshwater's solicitor and told The Herald: "Clive was a champion of the small business and fought against red tape - claiming he spent 40 per cent of his time 'working for the government'. He was an enemy of bureaucracy but gave freely of his time to help others resolve problems with officialdom. Clive set high standards for himself, expecting the same of others."

Although not a Scot, Freshwater loved a ceilidh and proudly wore a kilt, sang old Scottish ballads and then led a rollicking sing-song in the centre's dining room.

He is survived by Sally, his wife of 45 years, and their three sons.

ALASDAIR STEVEN