Fiona Colquhoun, Countess of Arran, daughter of Sir Iain Colquhoun, was known for an irrepressible spirit defined by speed, instinct, and a refusal to stand still.
As a young girl, she secretly boarded a racing hydroplane on Loch Lomond — a moment that ignited a lifelong pursuit of exhilaration. Decades later, she returned to the water with striking resolve, rising through the world of powerboat racing to break the 100mph barrier, becoming the fastest woman on water – known in later life as ‘the fastest granny on water’.
It was an achievement that spoke not only to technical skill, but to boldness and determination. Her life was shaped by an equally distinctive devotion to animals. She introduced a colony of wallabies to Inchconnachan – driving them to Scotland in her E-Type Jaguar – leaving a lasting and unusual imprint on the landscape.
A committed advocate for the protection of badgers – she was often seen walking her pet badger on a lead around the Luss Estate - her affinity for wildlife ran deep, reflecting a character at once unconventional and rooted in nature. Her legacy is one of individuality and a life lived at full pace.
