A man who has been described as “a pillar of the community” will be semi-retiring from his family business after working there for 65 years.

George McDonald, who runs Fairley’s Garden Centre and Coffee Shop in Cairneyhill, has worked there since he was 15 years old. Now, at the age of 80, he will be semi-retiring and having longer weekends.

Fairley’s started back in 1901. George said: “That was when James Fairley started up as a potato merchant, and over the years it progressed, but mum and dad bought the place from Fairley’s widow in 1958.”

Dunfermline Press: George MacDonald has been working at Fairley's Garden Centre for 65 years.George MacDonald has been working at Fairley's Garden Centre for 65 years. (Image: Fairley's Garden Centre and Coffee Shop)

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After running the centre for so long, George is excited about his semi-retirement.

“I am looking forward to it, there’s lots of things I can do, go for walks, drives in the car, take it easy for that wee while," he said. “I just feel it’s time to take a step back and catch up with one or two other things I used to like doing.”

George will now work at the garden centre four days a week and will still be involved in any major decisions.

His daughter described him as “a pillar of the community in Cairneyhill for so many years”.

George also wanted “to thank all the people that I have met, all the customers we have, and thank them for supporting Fairley’s Garden Centre over the years.”