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Hay, James obituary
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Hay, James obituary

Local Studies Combined Index
Léa Moreau
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Hay, James obituary
Local Studies Combined Index
143772
Obituary Index
Hay, James obituary
Hay, James
Death
15/05/1908
Aberdeen
"In the old Royal Hotel he received an excellent training under the late Mr David Robertson, and he afterwards purchased M'Killiam's restaurant business in Union Buildings, [...] until he took a lease some 30 years ago of the Athenaeum, which afterwards became so well known as the Royal Athenaeum Hotel. In 1888 Mr Hay bought the property, and it may be recollected that he sold it only last month to Mr John Mitchell, of the County Hotel. The premises had been formerly occupied as the courthouse, and Mr Hay adapted them in elegant style to the purposes of his business, the beautifully-decorated dining hall and neatly-appointed buffet being models of comfort for his very large clientele. His enterprise and industry were rewarded by a flourishing business, the establishment taking front rank of its kind in the city. Mr Hay always gave personal attention to the details of his business, and he was possessed of inexhaustible energy and push. If there was anything to be done in the city in the way of a big dinner, no one could carry it out better than Mr Hay [...].

He was regarded as one of the ablest purveyors in the country, and his position as Royal purveyor gave him a high standing amongst the nobility and county families, to whom he catered at special functions with universal satisfaction. At these entertainments, Mr Hay justly prided himself on the elegance of the table appointments - his skills and taste in this department always commanding admiration - while his achievements in the culinary art, and the resources of his cellar never failed to gratify the keenest connoisseur. This, of course, was only to be expected from one who, for a quarter of a century, was the purveyor at all the principal dinners and balls given at Balmoral Castle by her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and Mr Hay received many marks of Royal approval".
Yes
Press & Journal, May 15th 1908
Aberdeen Local Studies