Ian Findlay, who together with his wife Elsie, built Lonmay’s Ban-Car Hotel into one of the north-east’s most popular function venues, has died aged 91.
They took over the premises from Ian’s parents, John and Agnes (Bunty) in 1955.
Elsie, who died in May this year, ran the catering side and Ian, a motor engineer, took charge of the adjacent garage.
Expansion
However, in 1966, they took the decision to turn the garage into a function suite and that is when the Ban-Car surged in popularity.
Their son, Ian, said: “They created a function suit for up to 225 people and it became one of the most popular places for weddings and dinner dances in the north-east of Scotland.”
Ian (John) was born at the hotel in 1931, which his parents at had bought in 1925.
“As a family, we are only three years short of a century of serving food and drink in and around the Broch,” Ian said.
“Unfortunately, my parents won’t see this momentous occasion.”
Ian Findlay served his time as a motor engineer in Aberdeen and the County Garage in Fraserburgh.
Marriage
He met Elsie in 1953 and married two years later, the same year they took over the running of the Ban-Car Hotel from Ian’s parents.
The couple had three of a family, Ian, Moira and Valerie.
After the function suite was added, its popularity as a venue went from strength to strength.
The family sold the hotel in 1988 and opened Findlay’s Bar and Uptown Restaurant.
During their years in business, Ian served as president of Buchan Licensed Trade Association and Elsie was president of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Ladies Licensed Trade Association.
Ian said: “They both shared a vision for the future development of the licensed trade, met trade dignitaries and government officials.
“They were great ambassadors, in particular meeting up and welcoming new colleagues into the trade and offering as much advice and help as needed.”
Away from the licensed trade, Ian was a golfer, Formula 1 fan and was skilled at building anything with his hands.
“My dad adored his family and took a keen interest in his grandchildren’s hobbies and travelled all over the UK with them.
” My parents were a hard-working couple, instilled with a strong work ethic and a respect for others. He was also known as a man of few words.”
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