Holmes Mackillop Solicitors director Robert Stewart, head of its busy Giffnock office, is set to retire at the end of this month after 41 years of legal practice.

A familiar face to generations of home buyers and sellers within Giffnock as well as the local business community, Mr Stewart’s retirement marks the end of an era – as well as the termination of his daily commute by ferry and train to the Glasgow suburb from his home in Dunoon.

Mr Stewart started his legal career with Breeze Paterson & Chapman (BP&C) in 1983, which, following a merger with Campbell Riddell & Co in 1995, became Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson (CRBP). He was a partner in both BP&C and CRBP for many years before becoming a director with Holmes Mackillop, the firms having merged their businesses four years ago.

While his main focus recently has been private client work, Mr Stewart is also an experienced property specialist involved not only in commercial property transactions on behalf of individuals, companies, charities and property investors, but all aspects of residential property.

Carol Ann McKellar, practice manager at Holmes Mackillop, who worked alongside Mr Stewart in his early days at Breeze Paterson & Chapman, said: “Not only will Robert be greatly missed by the Giffnock community, but his wise counsel and dry sense of humourwill be missed within our firm”.

“Upon his retirement, our Giffnock office’s property team will be led by Paula Davies, while our private client team will continue to be led by Ken Hay. We wish Robert a long and happy retirement.”

Mr Stewart said that the decision to retire had been made so much easier knowing that Holmes MacKillop will continue to offer high quality legal services to clients, not only of the Giffnock office but across their branches, in a user-friendly style with a modern approach.