Tributes paid to founder of company based near Loch Ness who had 'heartiest laugh in the glen'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A community near Loch Ness is mourning the death of a businesswoman and community stalwart who was known for her hearty laugh.
Jackie Campbell was a founding director of Drumnadrochit-based bakery and hospitality company Cobbs along with her husband Fraser, who is the managing director.
They also bought the Drumnadrochit Hotel.
Mrs Campbell, of East Lewiston, died aged 58 in Raigmore Hospital following an illness.
She leaves her husband, two children Daniel (34) and Mollie (22) who are both in the business and a grandson.
Local businessman Willie Cameron said she would be greatly missed by the local community.
"Jackie was very much the life and soul of the party and the heartiest laugh in the Glen," he said.
"She will be sorely missed by the community, the village of Drumnadrochit and all her loyal hotel patrons that she built up such a rapport with over her many years in hospitality."
She was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, and went into the hospitality business at Tregenna Castle in Cornwall where she met her husband who was from Inverness.
Together over the years they owned and ran the Glen Avon Hotel in Craigellachie and the Alyth Hotel before taking over the lease of the Drumnadrochit Hotel in 1990 and eventually buying it in 2019.
She was very much hands-on in the businesses while bringing up their children.
While Cobbs expanded from its beginnings as a small farmhouse bakery to establishing its own cafés and supplying other outlets across Scotland, Mrs Campbell was still involved with Cobbs Bakery in the accounts department
She also had her own retail shop and booking office, Nessesities, at the Drumnadrochit Hotel.
She was a first responder for a time in the village and enjoyed attending art classes with her close friends of which she had many.
David Fraser, chairman of Glenurquhart Community Council, said she was a great influence in the company which remained loyal to its local roots, providing employment and inspiring young people.
Susan Clark, of Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association, recalled her as a neighbour who was always ready to stop and chat while walking her dog.
Following her funeral at WT Fraser on Friday at 2.30pm, the cortège will pass through Drumnadrochit for the community to pay its respects due to coronavirus restrictions.
