After he married his second wife Lady Gillian there in 2001, Milne tried to buy Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel, the Marcliffe at Pitfodels, from his friend Stewart Spence.
He eventually succeeded in 2024 and embarked on a major redevelopment and expansion project.
Made a CBE in 1994, he was knighted for his business and charity work in 2022.
He also held honorary doctorates from Aberdeen, Robert Gordon and Edinburgh Napier universities.
Balmoral Comtec was sold earlier this year to Freudenberg Flow Technologies, and the Balmoral Group’s Aberdeen headquarters became the family investment office, also administering the Milnes’ charity foundation.
Milne died at home in Aberdeen on Tuesday, surrounded by his family.
In a statement the Balmoral Group paid tribute to his vision, loyalty to his people, enthusiasm and sheer hard work.
Sign up for your daily dose of UnWoKe News
Privacy guaranteed. Unsubscribe at any time.