TRIBUTES have been paid to a former journalist and charity champion from Helensburgh.

Findlay Blair McQuarrie died peacefully aged 92 at Bothwell Castle Care Home in Lanarkshire on November 13.

He was a beloved husband of 50 years to his late wife April, a much-loved uncle and highly respected for service to the civic community for which he was awarded an OBE in 1991.

After leaving school, at the age of 18 he served with the Royal Army Service Corps for his National Service from 1947 to 1949.

A former journalist for several national newspapers, he began his career as a reporter for the former Bulletin and Glasgow Herald in the 1950s, and in that capacity also contributed to the Evening Times.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Findlay McQuarrie, who has died aged 92, was a National Service veteran, a former newspaper journalist, and a champion of the work of Alzheimer ScotlandFindlay McQuarrie, who has died aged 92, was a National Service veteran, a former newspaper journalist, and a champion of the work of Alzheimer Scotland

He then joined the National Trust for Scotland in roles in PR and the organisation’s directorate from 1961 to 1992.

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Since retiring he had been an active volunteer and supporter of Alzheimer Scotland for many years – both nationally, as a trustee, and locally, as branch chairman.

But he didn’t leave journalism entirely – and after retiring, in his spare time he volunteered as a reader for Scotland’s first talking newspaper, Headline Helensburgh.

In April 2019 the Advertiser reported that Findlay had rediscovered the joy of reading – and his reading of newspapers in particular – after receiving a specialist magnifying gadget from the Scottish War Blinded charity.

And later that same year we reported how he had been presented with an ‘unsung hero’ award by Alzheimer Scotland for his years of work with the charity, in particular bringing people together to form a Helensburgh branch.

That branch supported the opening of the charity’s first Helensburgh dementia resource centre, in East Clyde Street, and Findlay remained a regular visitor to the charity, offering support to staff and service users both there and at its new multi-functional premises in West Princes Street, where the charity’s local workers remain based to this day.

Former Helensburgh resident Jean Armitage, who worked with Findlay at Alzheimer Scotland for several years, said: “I was privileged to know and have Findlay as a trusted confidant for part of my working life.

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“He offered a wise shoulder to lean on and often offered counsel when he felt it appropriate.

“A true gentleman who was perceptive and compassionate, he had a huge impact on the local community and was a true supporter of the local dementia services.

“He will be missed by many, many people.”

Informing members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) of Mr McQuarrie’s death, HCC member Nigel Millar recalled a conversation around the topic of the Hill House, Helensburgh’s best-known building and regarded around the world as a Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece, owned by the NTS since 1982.

“Findlay was formerly the National Trust for Scotland’s regional director for the west of Scotland,” Mr Millar said, “and he once told me that when the Trust was approached to take on the Hill House, a fellow trustee had said to him ‘oh, no, we don’t want any of that man’s work’.

“He’ll be much missed.”

Mr McQuarrie’s funeral took place at Rhu and Shandon Parish Church last Thursday.