Holmes Mackillop Solicitors director Robert Stewart (pictured above), head of its busy Giffnock office, is set to retire at the end of this month.

A familiar face to generations of home buyers and sellers within Giffnock and beyond, Mr Stewart’s retirement marks the end of an era, as well as the culmination 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 in 1983, which, following a merger with Campbell Riddell & Co in 1995 became Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson (CRBP). He was a partner in CRBP for many years before becoming a director with Holmes Mackillop, the firms having merged their businesses four years ago.

While his main focus has been private client work, Mr Stewart’s 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 transactions including purchases and sales with estate agency through the firm’s ESPC membership.

He has developed a good working relationship with the Local Authority and other agencies locally, looking after the interests of the elderly, particularly in relation to guardianships and powers of attorney.

Carol Ann McKellar, practice manager at Holmes Mackillop, who worked alongside Robert 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 humour will 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 from the Giffnock office but across its branches, in a user-friendly style with a modern approach.