The death of Alastair Brodie

of Brodie, aged 61, means the ancient chiefship of clan Brodie passes to a third generation in just over seven months. His father, Ninian, 25th chief, died in March, and the title of 27th Brodie of Brodie now devolves on Alastair's son, Alexander.

Alastair is wrapped in personal mystery: he cut himself off from his father, divorced his wife Marie-Louise, and became estranged from his three children. He took nothing to do with Brodie Castle or what had been clan lands in Moray, evinced no interest in clan affairs, denied his family, and lived out his days in a Cambridgeshire semi-detached as a computer expert.

His death from lung cancer twists an already bitter family feud, for shortly before his second marriage this year, he rewrote his will. On April 28,

he wed 57-year-old divorcee Carole Lawrence in Huntingdon, a few days before having asked two of his neighbours in Houghton, Cambridgeshire, to witness a new will.

His children were unaware of his remarriage, and have not met their stepmother. Their fear now is they may be left with absolutely nothing, and that Alexander, as heir, gains nothing but the title.

The family remain torn by a dispute following the sale of the clan seat and family home, Brodie Castle, by grandfather Ninian in 1978 to the National Trust for Scotland. Alastair's eldest son, 33-year-old Alexander, has been embroiled in a long-running dispute over his grandfather's decision, even attempting to repossess the place.

Alastair remained the man in the middle throughout. Yet it was the acrimonious divorce between him and his first wife, the Australian-born Mary-Louise Johnson, in 1986, which helped persuade grandfather Ninian to sell the family home.

Alastair became alienated from his children, who now live in Paris.

Alastair was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford. In 1968, the year he graduated, he married Mary-Louise. Alastair was drawn to the infant technology of computing.

In their new marriage,

Alastair and Carole maintained separate lives, he staying in Houghton, while Carole remained in her house in nearby St Ives. Her apparent intention that Alastair would be interred in Cambridgeshire has been altered. In family tradition, his remains will now be laid in the Brodie burial plot in the shadow of Brodie Castle, following his funeral in nearby Forres this Saturday. Incongruously, the tiny cemetery is all that may tangibly remain of the Brodie legacy.

Alastair is survived by his first wife Mary-Louise, nee Johnson; his widow Carole Lawrence; and his children Alexander, Edward-Benedict, and Phaedra.

Alastair Ian Ninian Brodie of Brodie, 26th clan chief; born September 7,1934, died October 26, 2003.