Maitland Mackie

Sir Maitland Mackie, CBE KStJ DL JP (16 February 1912 – 18 June 1996), often known as Mike Mackie, was a British Liberal Party politician, farming pioneer, educational innovator and Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.

Maitland Mackie
Born(1912-02-16)16 February 1912
Died18 June 1996(1996-06-18) (aged 84)
NationalityBritish
Other namesMike Mackie
EducationUniversity of Aberdeen (BSc in Agriculture, 1933)
Alma materAberdeen Grammar School
Occupation(s)politician
farming pioneer
educational innovator
Political partyLiberal
Spouses
Isobel Ross
​
​
(m. 1935; died 1960)​
    Pauline Turner
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1963; died 1993)​
    Children2 sons and 4 daughters
    Parents
    • Dr Maitland Mackie (father)
    • Mary Yull (mother)
    RelativesJohn Mackie, George Mackie (brothers)

    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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[2] He was elected to Aberdeenshire County Council in 1951 and served for fifteen years as chairman of the education committee which earned him a Fellowship of the Educational Institute of Scotland.[1] He was Liberal Party parliamentary candidate for West Aberdeenshire at the 1951 General Election;

    General Election 1951: West Aberdeenshire Electorate 41,078
    Party Candidate Votes % ±%
    Unionist Henry Reginald Spence 17,761 55.2
    Labour Norman Hogg 7,278 22.6
    Liberal Maitland Mackie 7,128 22.2
    Majority 10,483 32.6
    Turnout 78.3
    Unionist hold Swing

    He was Liberal party parliamentary candidate for Aberdeenshire East in the 1958 East Aberdeenshire by-election.

    1958 Aberdeenshire East by-election[3] Electorate
    Party Candidate Votes % ±%
    Unionist Patrick Wolrige-Gordon 14,314 48.5
    Labour John B Urquhart 7,986 27.1
    Liberal Maitland Mackie 7,153 24.3
    Majority 6,328 21.5
    Turnout 29,485
    Unionist hold Swing

    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.[1] 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.[1]

    Sir Maitland's autobiography, A Lucky Chap was published in 1993.[1]

    References
    1. "MACKIE, Sir Maitland". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
    2. The Times House of Commons 1951
    3. British parliamentary election results, 1950-1973 by FWS Craig
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