Maitland Mackie

Sir Maitland Mackie (16 February 1912 – 18 June 1996) was a British Liberal Party politician, farming pioneer, educational innovator and Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.

Background and family He was the son of Dr Maitland Mackie OBE and Mary Yull. He attended Aberdeen Grammar School before graduating from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc in Agriculture in 1933. He married Isobel Ross in 1935 and they had two sons and four daughters. He celebrated his silver wedding with her before her death in 1960. In 1963, he married a Texan, Pauline Turner, who died in 1993. The Mackie family is best known for its ownership of the 'Mackie's of Scotland' ice cream company. His younger brothers were John Mackie who served as Labour MP and George Yull Mackie who became a Liberal MP, both subsequently entering the House of Lords. His son, Maitland Mackie, CBE, was Chairman of Mackies Scotland until his death in May 2014, while his grandson, Maitland (Mac) Mackie is the current managing director.

Professional career In 1932 he started farming. In 1950 he toured America and Canada as an agricultural speaker for British Information Services. He pioneered the use of silage in Scottish dairy farming and was the first man north of the River Tay to own a combine harvester. A scholarship worth £1,000 in Sir Maitland's name was established at the University of Aberdeen School of Biological Sciences. The scholarship is awarded to students who can demonstrate promise in the field of Animal Production for the Food Industry or Rural Land-use and the Environment.

Political career He was Vice-chairman of Aberdeen Youth Council. He was a district commissioner of the scout movement. Electorate

He was appointed a CBE in 1965. He was chairman of Aberdeen District Milk Marketing Board from 1965 to 1982. He was a governor of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture from 1968 to 1982. He was the first chairman of the North East of Scotland Development Authority from 1969 to 1975. As chair of the North East of Scotland Development Authority he worked hard to encourage the international oil industry in the area. He headed the first Scottish trade mission to Houston, Texas. He was knighted in 1982.

Sir Maitland's autobiography, A Lucky Chap was published in 1993.