TRIBUTES have been paid to Ayr businessman and racecourse director Barry Macdonald, who died suddenly at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport last Wednesday aged 54.
He had been returning from a holiday in the Maldives with his wife Gillian.
Barry was described by family and friends as “charismatic”, “full of life”, “good company” and a “true character”.
Above all, he was a loving family man who was happiest in the company of Gillian, son Adam, daughters Verity and Amber and his mum and dad Camille and Alan.
Barry attended Fettes College in Edinburgh before graduating with a BSc Masters Degree from Glasgow Caledonia University.
He spent a year working in Australia before returning to Scotland where he took up a role as Head of General Works at the Dawn Group.
His dad Alan said “Barry was totally reliable. When he said he would do something you knew it would be done.”
One of his most important projects was the building of a magnificent family home at Bridgend House, Ayr.
Family holidays were very special to them and Verity said her mum and dad had enjoyed none more so than their recent trip to the Maldives which they described as a “second honeymoon.”
Barry played on the wing for Ayr Rugby Club’s First XV. He later took great joy from coaching the youngsters at the club.
In recent years he was a director of Ayr Racecourse and also owned and bred horses.
Long time friend Scott Roberts said: “Barry was like a brother to me and my mum thought of him as a son. We have known each other from the age of 12 when we both joined Fettes.
“He had no idea what a doorbell was. We had to remind him often that he didn’t live at our house as he just bowled into the kitchen.
“They broke the mould when they made Barry.
I will miss him always.”
Racecourse director Richard Johnson said: “Barry was a successful racehorse owner and was the leading owner at Ayr for the 2019-2020 jumps season.
“He was Ayr Racecourse’s biggest ambassador. His untimely passing is a huge loss to the racecourse and to all those who knew him. My thoughts are with his family, who he loved dearly.”
Close friend and former Scotland rugby international Derek Stark said: “I have been inundated with messages.
“I even got a text from Scotland rugby coach Gregor Townsend saying how sorry he was to hear about Barry and he’d only met him once.
“Above all. Barry was a great husband and a great dad. He is such a big loss.”
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