FRIENDS, FAMILY, colleagues and pupils of teacher Erica Caldwell gathered at Carnoustie High School yesterday to mark her retiral after a 40-year career.

Born in Aberdeen and brought up in Fraserburgh, Mrs Caldwell attended Fraserburgh Academy before her teacher training at Aberdeen College of Education, then studying at Aberdeen University.

She taught for two years in Aberdeen before serving for 26 years at Arbroath Academy, completing her career with 12 years at Carnoustie High, where she became principal teacher of geography.

Mrs Caldwell is also the senior examiner and setter for Advanced Higher Geography and a life member of the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers, of which she was also the first, and so far only, female president.

She served for a number of years on the Council of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, of which she is also a life member.

Mrs Caldwell, whose husband John retired several years ago as depute rector of Arbroath Academy, is also a former president of the Arbroath Inner Wheel.

The couple have four grown-up sons.