A former Fife paper mill owner has died at the age of 73.
Allan Milne, of Drumoig, lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, on Saturday.
Mr Milne was part owner of Curtis Fine Papers, having led a management buy-out of the firm, which was one of the oldest in Scotland and employed more than 400 people.
Born and brought up in Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire, Mr Milne began his career in the paper industry on leaving Keith Grammar School.
He began as a production trainee at Stoneywood Paper Mill, in Aberdeen, and gained a City and Guilds qualification in paper technology at what was then Robert Gordon’s Technical College.
He worked in Canterbury, Kent, and at the Inveresk Group’s mill in Inverkeithing before joining the Guardbridge Paper Company, which later became Curtis Fine Papers, in 1970 as a superintendent.
Mr Milne was appointed mill manager in 1984 and became deputy managing director, then managing director in 1998.
His multi-million pound buyout in 2002 with Janey Hunter and Bill Whyte brought the firm back into Scottish ownership for the first time in 20 years and returned it briefly to profitability.
A second buyout of the mill in 2007, a year before it closed with the loss of 180 jobs, allowed him to retire.
Under his leadership the firm made numerous donations to charity and was supportive of Guardbridge Primary School.
Mr Milne, who previously lived in Wormit and St Andrews, was a former president of St Andrews Rotary Club and elder of Wormit Parish Church.
In 2005 he was given the St Andrews Burns Club Award for Citizenship in recognition of his work and contribution to the local community.
An avid curler, Mr Milne travelled regularly to play in Wengen, Switzerland, and last year was made vice-president of the club there.
He was also a member of St Andrews Curling Club and coached children.
Mr Milne was also involved with the 1st St Andrews Boys’ Brigade and the Fife Scout group.
He leaves behind his wife Myra to whom he was married for more than 50 years, a son, two daughters and six grandchildren.