Crowds applaud popular hotelier

For four decades, James Rooney has served the people of Banchory and the town’s holidaymakers alike. As the proprietor of some of the area’s best-loved hotels and bars, it is no surprise then that news of Jim’s death – aged just 68 – sent shockwaves throughout the town.

When his funeral cortege drove past the Stag Hotel, owned and operated by Jim and wife Kathleen, hundreds of people lined the streets to applaud.

Born on Christmas Eve 1952 to coal miner Hugh Rooney and his hotel worker wife, Janet, Jim was part of a large West Lothian family. Raised in Bo’ness, he and his siblings – Hugh, Jane, Bob, Susan, Debbie and Chick (deceased) – went to the village primary school before moving on to Bathgate’s St Mary’s Academy.

But it would be choosing to work over further study that would really change Jim’s life.

He didn’t know it then but the love of his life – Kathleen Archibald from Banchory – would be the head receptionist at the same establishment where he would train as restaurant manager.

Not too far from where he grew up, but a long way for Kathleen, Jim took on a job at the Forth Bridges Motel.

Kathleen said: “Jim was always confident, and always quick-witted so I had mistaken that for a bit of arrogance at the beginning. But when I got to know him that was it.”

They married on June 4, 1976 in St Columba’s RC Church in Banchory.

As newlyweds their first home was in Westhill Inn where they both worked.

They also mastered their trade in some of Aberdeen’s best-known pubs and hotels including the Royal Darroch, Earl’s Court Hotel and Kirkhall Lodge before finally buying Banchory’s Kerloch Hotel when their only son, Scott, was one.

Although not from the area, Jim loved his life in Banchory.

He managed Scott’s childhood football team, Banchory Boys Club, and after 13 years in the Kerloch the couple bought Parker’s Bar and Nightclub.

Developing his love of darts, after five years in charge of the club an opportunity to sell up saw them take a six-month break before getting the keys to The Stag, where they have been for the last 19 years.

He passed away last month after a short illness.

TOGETHERNESS: Jim Rooney with wife Kathleen.