GUIDE DOGS for the Blind chiefs have given a warm welcome to a seven-figure legacy from an octogenarian north-east art teacher whose modest lifestyle hid a multi-million pound shares portfolio.

Sheila Mair of Peterhead, who died last year after a stroke, asked for her hidden fortune of £4 million to be divided between Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care Scotland, the ex-services Erskine Hospital in Renfrewshire and Peterhead Hospital.

Miss Mair took on the successful share portfolio of her father James after he died in 1967 and reportedly added regularly to it by successfully playing the stock market.

The quiet-living former principal art teacher at Peterhead Academy is also said to have given generously to people and organisations around the town and in her home village of Longside.

Buchan councillor Norman Smith said she had been “generous to the village over the years.

“There were a lot of things she did for people and they would never know about it,” he said.

“That was the type of person she was, very generous but modest too.

“I remember she gave donations to the local gala but it was on the condition she remained anonymous.”

She is also said to have sent money by post to parents who needed to take their children abroad for medical treatment, along with a note signed “Anonymous.”

GDBA media manager Chris Dyson said the seven-figure legacy would provide a major boost for the organisation’s Scottish efforts, co-ordinated from their new training centre at Orchardbank business park in Forfar.

“The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is extremely grateful to Sheila Mair for her legacy donation,” said Mr Dyson.

“Sheila requested that the money be invested in our Guide Dog Training School in Forfar.

“This will make a huge difference to our services in Scotland, helping us train future generations of guide dogs, and continue transforming the lives of blind and partially sighted people.”

He added, “Guide Dogs relies on voluntary donations, particularly legacies, to fund its ongoing services.

“We have a lifetime commitment to our guide dog owners, which means we have ongoing breeding and training programmes to produce the next generation of guide dogs.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about making a legacy donation should phone Guide Dogs on 0845 603 1477.