Noted Donside hotelier, 83, dies

Donside hotelier Charles Spence, who was also a noted and successful horse trainer, has died at the age of 83 in a north-east nursing home.

Great-grandfather Mr Spence followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who moved from Strathdon to the Brig Hotel at Bridge of Alford.

Generations of the family have been brought up at the Hotel Farm since 1895, where Mr Spence was mine-host at the Brig Hotel from 1970-77. He had previously run the Haughton House Hotel from 1954-57, before taking over the Haughton Arms in Alford.

Educated at Tullynessle and Alford, Mr Spence was keen on pony racing. After becoming a hotelier, he became a successful trainer and part-owner of a series of thoroughbreds, including Lochnagar, a European champion.

Mr Spence is survived by his wife Elsie, sons Charles and David and daughters Cynthia and Elspeth. A funeral service will be held today at 1.35pm in the West Chapel, Aberdeen Crematorium to which all friends are invited. Donations will be accepted for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.