MOVING tributes have been paid to the popular, globetrotting landlord of Ravenstonedale’s Black Swan.

Alan Dinnes, 60, passed away at home after a four year battle with cancer, but the ‘special, selfless, generous and funny’ man is warmly remembered by all who knew him.

Mr Dinnes was born in Motherwell, Scotland, before moving to Singapore in the 1960s, where he explored the Far East with his sister, Carol, and parents, Pat and Selina.

After returning to Scotland in the 1970s he did not waste any time before being accepted into nautical college to become a navigator in the merchant navy before setting sail for Australia.

On his travels he picked-up a companion – a brightly coloured parrot called Oscar Asparagus – who sailed the high seas by his side.

Mr Dinnes, who died on April 9, caught sharks, broke ice in Canada and felt the blistering heat of South America during his spell in the merchant navy.

His daughter, Eleanor, said: “There was rarely a place mentioned Alan hadn't been and he had many mind boggling stories to show for it.”

He eventually headed back to the UK, giving up his sea legs for good, and settled in Newcastle where he met his wife, Louise, before having their daughter, Eleanor, in 1995.

Mr Dinnes bought the Black Swan in 2006 in ‘a midlife crisis gone right’ and turned the hotel into a thriving business.

The keen golfer and talented amateur artist was ‘in his element’ at the Black Swan, according to his brother-in-law, Angus Ogilvy

“This was a new life," said Angus. "He was back to getting things done and being full of ideas.

“Whenever we spoke he was full of enthusiastic talk about The Black Swan and the things that they were doing and the people who they shared it with.

“It was a great success story. He and Louise, starting from scratch with Judith and Kenneth to help, learned very quickly. While always one with an eye for the business, Alan always remained concerned for the well-being of his staff.

“He wanted to have a happy atmosphere, a sense of community, and he was aware that in large part that comes down to the kind of person that you are.

“With the right heart, good sense and a favourable wind things will fall into place, and they most definitely did. There were multiple awards, visits from royalty, lists of advance bookings.

“Alan took pride in the fact that profit was put back into the business, that they were able to give work to many people, and that there was a positive vibe about The Black Swan that we couldn't fail to notice each time we came to visit.”

Mr Dinnes's funeral will be held at St Oswald’s Parish Church, Ravenstonedale, at 12pm tomorrow with the wake being held at the Black Swan.

He requested no black attire, but bright, spring colours and happy faces.