A popular Largs businessman for many years, who took an active part in boosting the profile of the town, has passed away.

Hugh McKee, who lived in West Kilbride, owned the Craft Shop in the Main Street for 20 years, and retired from the business only a couple of years ago. He died at Crosshouse Hospital on 12 March.

Hugh was born on 6th December 1931 in Greenock. He was the youngest surviving child of eight children. His parents, James and Mary were bakers. His elder brother James is the last living sibling.

The family moved around a great deal when Hugh was young around the west of Scotland and even to Yorkshire, as a result Hugh moved schools frequently.

Hugh’s first job was as a butcher’ boy in Yorkshire. The family then moved to Skelmorlie and Hugh and his brother worked at Skelmorlie Mains farm, where they ran a milking parlour and cared for the animals.

Hugh along with his elder brother William and sister, Mary and their parents moved to Gateside Street in West Kilbride in 1952. Hugh worked on the construction of Hunterston ‘A’ power station then for several years. Following this, he was a postman in Largs. Hugh’s interest in those days was motorbikes. He and his brothers enjoyed scrambling and racing. They went to various race meets around the country. Hugh had some spectacular falls which he survived and he did win some trophies.

In 1962 Hugh and his sister Mary set up Brisbane Pottery in Stanlane Place, Largs. Mary was very artistic and was inspired by the artisans in Istanbul whilst working in Turkey. Hugh threw the pots and Mary decorated them. They became very successful with a lot of hard work. Hugh dedicated himself to the business. In November 1964 Hugh married Anne Templeton and the family came along first David then Alistair. Very sadly Anne died in 1972. Hugh essentially brought up his sons himself. By the mid 1960s Hugh and Mary moved to the Pottery Shop at 90 Main Street, Largs with a wider range of fancy goods and gifts.

Hugh met Vera in 1976 and became his close companion.

Hugh, aged 82, was described by friend Ken Welch as one of the ‘unsung heroes’ of the business community in Largs over the years.

Mr Welch said: “He was a great worker for us in Scotland in Bloom competitions and he worked tirelessly. He was part of the team that went down to London and we won the silver award in the coastal towns category.” In 2002, Hugh was heavily involved in the re-launch of the Largs tartan which made front page headlines in the Largs and Millport Weekly News.

Mr Welch, who was co-owner of the neighbouring Welch and Roe estate agents next door, said: “He always gave you a great welcome when ever you would walk into his shop. He would tell you a joke or make you laugh, and always lightened the mood. He was once able to confirm to me that Winston Churchill stayed in the Manor Park Hotel in Skelmorlie during the Second World War during the D-Day landing plannings.

“He told me that his sister Mary was actually a telegram girl in Skelmorlie and she was sent from the post office in Skelmorlie to deliver this telegram to Mr Churchill. She actually had to wait at the Manor Park Hotel until Mr Churchill was ready with his response before returning to the post office.” As an entrepreneur Hugh was always ready to diversify. He grew his business to three shops including a basket shop, and taught pottery classes at Largs Academy.

Hugh had a loyal clientele and one of his ventures was selling cuckoo clocks. He purchased a big selection of clocks of all sizes. He went to the Black Forrest and sourced a manufacturer. The clocks sold well and Hugh became know as the ‘Cuckoo clock man’. When the clocks broke down, Hugh would turn his hand to fixing them.

Hugh was a very keen curler in the 1970s. He belonged to Largs Thistle and Auchenames Curling Clubs. He was a competitive curler and was successful in winning several competitions as skip.

The Craft Shop is still operating under new ownership.