Long-serving Scotsman sports writer Mike Aitken has called time on his 36-year career with the daily.

He joined the Johnston Press title in 1973 as a trainee and has taken a variety of roles there, most latterly as dedicated golf correspondent.

Last year he was crowned the best regional sports reporter by the Sports Journalists’ Association.

On his final day on Friday, The Scotsman carried a lengthy first-person piece called ‘A fond farewell to so many fields of dreams’.

In it Mike remembers some of the key moments of his long career such as being photographed on the plane home with the European Cup Winners Cup after Aberdeen won it in 1983.

He also recalls how he tried hard to remain neutral in the press box and not cheer goals but struggled when Heart of Midlothian won their first trophy in 35 years.