A Scottish duke, hailed as a driving force in the modernisation of land ownership in Scotland, has died aged 64.
The 10th Duke of Roxburghe, Guy Innes-Ker, had a lengthy battle with oesophageal cancer, having first been diagnosed 10 years ago.
He died at his family’s ancestral home, Floors Castle, near Kelso.
The duke is survived by Virginia, the Duchess of Roxburghe, five children and five grandchildren.
In the decade since his diagnosis, the duke raised more than £1.3 million in support of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital and a cancer research project at Brunel University.
His family said: “He was a wonderful and loving husband to Virge and devoted father to Rosie, Charlie, Ted, Bella and George. It is a desperate loss to us all.”
Mr Roxburghe inherited his title at the age of 19 while serving in the army in Cyprus after the unexpected death of his father. His life’s work was diversifying the estate to emcompass farming, forestry, commercial sport, renewable energy and property management.
His eldest son Charles, the Marquis of Bowmont, will succeed him as duke.
