Tributes as Hydro boss loses his cancer battle

Tributes have been paid to Pitlochry Hydro Hotel general manager Chris Stanton who has died of cancer aged 56.

- ALASTAIR MCNEILL

In March this year Chris married his fiancée Alice Maxwell at the hotel in a ceremony attended by over 200 guests.

Alice said this week it created a blended family of three beautiful daughters - Francesca, Isabelle and Amy.

The happy occasion followed a three-year cancer battle - during which he climbed Ben Vrackie in a charity fundraiser he co-organised.

Sadly Chris passed away on June 21 at Cornhill Macmillan Centre, Perth.

Chris was born in Whiston Hospital on Merseyside and lived in Huyton until he was three, with his mum, dad, sister and two brothers.

He called himself a 'woollyback' and his sense of humour, warm nature and love of The Beatles came from the strong connection with Liverpool.

At the age of 16 Chris moved to London to work in various hotels for several years. He went on to work on cruise liners, exploring the world.

He also worked during ski seasons, blagging he could speak fluent French, but when it came to food and drink orders he had to ask his sister to help.

Chris always wanted to be a dad and he came back to the UK to settle down, moving to Pitlochry in 2000, raising his two beautiful daughters Francesca and Isabelle, and working as general manager at the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel.