Maitland Mackie, chairman of family-run ice cream supplier Mackie’s of Scotland, has died after a short illness.

Mackie was born at the business’s HQ in Westertown Farm and worked there all his life, overseeing development of Mackie’s from milk retail into ice cream. The business, of which Mackie’s son Mac is MD, has since expanded into areas including crisps and chocolate.

“We are deeply saddened, as a family and a business, by the death of our dad and chairman,” Mackie’s said this week. “We will miss his wonderful enthusiasm, intellect, humour and energy.”

Mackie was also rector of the University of Aberdeen, where he acted as the students’ representative. University principal Sir Ian Diamond said Mackie, who graduated from the university with a BSc in agriculture and MA Hons in economics, would be remembered with great fondness.