Davidson, alongside her late husband Clive, took over Champany Inn near Linlithgow in 1983, building a restaurant rooted in Scottish produce with an “unwavering passion” for Scotch beef and South African wine.
Over four decades, they developed an award-winning rural business comprising a fine dining steakhouse, 16 bedrooms, the Chop & Ale House bistro and a wine shop.
Champany was awarded a Michelin star in 2008, which it held for three years.
Champany remains led by her son Jason. Davidson - affectionately known as “Mrs D” - was renowned for leading from the front.
“She was on the floor for every service, where her attention to detail was exemplary: things simply had to be done properly,” the family said in a statement.
“She will always be remembered as a devoted, energetic and kind host who inspired many who knew her. Her impeccable fashion and style were renowned, as were the shoes that ran her around the restaurant.”
Born in Dundee in 1946, Davidson was sister to Graeme, Alan and the late Polly.
A passionate cook from an early age, she studied hospitality management at Robert Gordon’s Catering College in Aberdeen.
She moved to London for her first role at the Westminster Theatre, where she met Clive.
They married in 1969 and later moved to South Africa before returning to Scotland in 1974 to open Wyndales House Hotel in Lanarkshire.
There, they introduced braai (BBQ) cooking to Scotland, thus helping to spark the indoor charcoal-grill movement.
Davidson is survived by her children, Jason, Anna and Lucy, and her granddaughter Mirren.
A private family funeral will be held, with a public memorial service planned for early next year.