Iain Johnston

Died December 10, 2015

IAIN Johnston, who has died aged 82, was a popular businessman on the Isle of Arran and the founder of the Auchrannie hotel and spa, which he helped transform from a small, relatively unknown 12-bedroom hotel into a popular resort.

He came originally from Knightswood in Glasgow but shortly before the Second World War, the family moved to a fourth-floor tenement flat in Shawlands and survived one very near miss when a German bomb landed just 200 yards further down the street.

He left Shawlands Academy when he was 15 and began his working life at 16 with the Union Bank of Scotland in their Mount Florida branch for £100 a year. He did not particularly enjoy the bank, but the firm grounding in financial matters stood him in good stead later on.

At 18, he completed his two years of national service in the RAF, stationed at Dyce near Aberdeen, before returning to the bank, where he was posted to the foreign department in St Vincent Street. It became apparent he was in line to be made a bank inspector, which is regarded in banking circles with about as much popularity as the Gestapo and was definitely not for him. So instead, he decided to sit his entrance exams for the civil service with a view to gaining entry to the customs and excise branch.

After initial training in the varied aspects of the service, he spent several years working for Customs and Excise in various parts of the UK, before being posted back to Glasgow to control the bonded warehouse run by Long John Distillers.

A colleague then suggested he might get involved in property and over the next few years in his spare time he bought and improved properties, building up a fairly extensive property portfolio.

At weekends much of his time was also spent on Arran, which had been the Johnston family holiday destination since childhood, visiting his brother, Forbes, and sister in law, Eileen, who had bought the Harbour Shop in Blackwaterfoot.

Having turned down promotion at work several times because it meant relocating to London, he duly handed in his notice at the Customs and Excise and moved to Blackwaterfoot in 1978. For the next five years, with the help of Mary Hamilton, Janette McAllister and latterly Forbes, he ran the post office and shop.

He enjoyed life on Arran and having been an active member of the Savoy Club in Glasgow, was instrumental in forming the Arran G & S Society along with Forbes, where his brilliance as an accompanist were greatly appreciated.

In 1983 the shop was sold and someone suggested he should consider taking up the vacant post of local tourist officer. He applied and to his surprise was duly appointed.

Although enjoying his time in he post, he found being the secretary of various other organisations, which it also entailed, was less enjoyable and so after a year and a half he resigned.

Again not wishing to be idle, he purchased part of Pelegrini's Cafe in Brodick in 1985 with Forbes, and turned it into a stationer's and bookshop. Tragically the very day the offer was submitted, Forbes died suddenly. It was a terrible blow for Iain, as not only was Forbes his closest relative, but his best friend. However, with sister-in-law Eileen, Mr Johnston decided to go ahead and with nephews Gordon and Alan having just completed business studies and keen to get involved, the Book & Card Centre became a reality.

With the boys at the helm, Mr Johnston soon found time to think about another project. He did not have to wait long. The Auchrannie Hotel came on the market. With Ronnie Mann, a fellow tourist board committee member, and owner of the Whiting Bay Hotel, he set about planning the development of Auchrannie. Mr Mann's hotel experience and accountancy background coupled with Mr Johnston's business acumen was to prove a brilliant combination. Here was Mr Johnston's opportunity to put his money where his mouth was and promote not only better wet weather facilities for the island but, despite its unpredictable climate, promote Arran as an all-year round holiday destination. It goes without saying that a huge part of the success of Auchrannie since its purchase in 1988 and the addition of the subsequent spa development in 2001, was also due to the drive and sheer hard work put in by Linda Johnston.

Iain and Linda had first met and married in 1986 when Linda was the local PE teacher. Like Mr Johnston, she had a desire to provide indoor sport facilities on the island and a second swimming pool. Their marriage may not have endured, but they remained friends as well as business partners and indeed, extremely close next-door neighbours.

Of course both of them would be the first to stress the Auchrannie success story is down to thousands of people who have given much and at least a dozen others who were and are pivotal in maintaining its success. Since 2010, due to ill health, Mr Johnston had to take a more back seat role in Auchrannie Spa Resort.

He was a man who loved music and travelling, who cared for his family and loved the Isle of Arran. He leaves behind a great deal in the way of achievements to the good of the island. He received an MBE for services to tourism in 2011.

But above all, first and foremost he will be remembered as one of life's true gentlemen in every sense of that term. All who knew him would say it was a joy and privilege to have known him.

He is survived by Linda Johnston, his nephews David and Alan Johnston, his sister in law, Eileen, great niece Claire, great nephew Calum and cousins Gillean and Jim.