First voice of STV, former host and entrepreneur Jimmy Nairn

Former television presenter Jimmy Nairn, who was one of the first voices to be heard on STV when it launched in the 1950s, has died at the age of 91.

Tributes to Mr Nairn have been led by his son, chef and TV figure Nick Nairn, who said his father had lived an “extraordinary life”.

Born on a council estate in Kirkintilloch, Mr Nairn once revealed in a television interview he “hated school with a passion”, leaving to work in a Glasgow shipping office at the age of 15.

He became a shipping agent, before changing career and starting drama school at the age of 25, doing announcer shifts for the BBC as a sideline.

When Scottish Television began in 1957, Mr Nairn claimed the honour of his voice being the first on air, ahead of colleague Arthur Montford.

He spent much of his life at the Lochend estate at Lake of Menteith in Stirlingshire, which remains home to Nick Nairn’s Cook School.

As well as the celebrity status Jimmy Nairn had from appearing on popular shows such as The One O’Clock Gang, he also ran a shipping business, which he later sold to P&O.

Announcing his father’s death, Nick Nairn said: “Dad had an extraordinary life, from business man to actor to an ambassador for all things Scottish.

“He excelled at whatever he turned his hand to. He possessed a formidable intellect and had a unique and incisive understanding of the ways of the world.

“He was a successful entrepreneur who chose lifestyle over materialism.

“His judgment and sensibility were matchless, he was blessed with a rare and uncanny ability to see things for what they really were. However, his greatest achievement by far was his family and the wonderful home he created here at Lochend.

“He and my mum, Irene, conducted an incredible lifelong love affair, they were best friends, confidantes and true partners.

“Married for 61 years, they have three loving children, my sister Victoria, my brother Topher and myself.

“He enjoyed an exceptional relationship with my brother-in-law Chris, they shared many common interests and a passion for wood working. He leaves five adoring grandchildren.

“He was surrounded by all of his family at the end and will never be forgotten,” added Mr Nairn.

Jimmy Nairn did announcer shifts for the BBC to kick-start his television career.