Farmer William Watson has died, aged 73.
Born at Kirkmuirhill, Strathaven, in 1941, his family moved to Beverkae Farm, Crossgates, in 1948.
He left school at 15 and worked with his father and brother to establish a livestock and arable farming business. This grew to include Beverkae and the neighbouring land at Cullaloe and Croftgary Farm in Aberdour, and Kirkton and Pitkinnie farms in Auchtertool.
The farm is now run by his son, James.
Mr Watson married his childhood sweetheart, Jean, in 1963 and they had three children, living at Beechwood Cottage, then Beverkae before moving to Croftgary in 1981.
He was a well-known face at livestock marts throughout Scotland, particularly Stirling and Ayr, enjoying the social gathering as much as the business in hand and always dressing smartly for the occasion.
He bought a motorcruiser to celebrate his 50th birthday and enjoyed almost 20 years of boating with his wife at Ardlui, Loch Lomond.
In recent years, Mr and Mrs Watson moved to Burntisland where Mr Watson made many friends and took up hobbies including keeping an aviary of exotic birds.
He is survived by Jean, sons Russell and James, daughter Margaret, daughters-in-law Debbie and Lesley, son-in-law Matthew and grandchildren Calum, Laura and Lucy.