An editor who also ran a pub business under the name ‘Scoop Inns’ has died aged 74.

Tributes have been paid to Douglas Carr, who ran the Falkirk Herald twice during his career.

Aberdeenshire-born Douglas, pictured, began his career on the Herald in the 1960s and went on to edit the paper.

He also led other management projects for its owner Johnston Press during his time there and had a spell editing the Cumbernauld News.

Douglas left journalism to study for a degree in history and politics at the University of Edinburgh, but returned to edit the Herald again in the 1990s.

He also ran the ‘Scoop Inns’ enterprise with two lifelong friends, journalist Jim Hendry and photographer Richard Parker.

In an obituary, the paper’s current editor Jill Buchanan wrote: “He was pivotal in the paper campaigning to retain services at Falkirk & District Royal Infirmary.

“Together with Jim and Richard, Douglas was a partner in Scoop Inns, the trio’s foray into the licensed trade with the first public house they ran, the Roman Bar in Camelon.

If some colleagues were surprised by his decision to go to university, the announcement from Douglas that he planned to retire aged only 49 left them shocked.

“But he had decided the time was right to spend more time doing some of the things he loved best: travelling, gardening and cooking, as well as spending time with his family and many friends.

“The death of his partner Neil in 2018 left a huge gap in his life and the following year he decided to move to Auchterarder in Perthshire.

“Throughout lockdown he spent his time transforming his garden and as restrictions eased, enjoyed once again catching up with his wide circle of friends.”

Douglas had been ill since earlier this year and he died peacefully earlier this month. He is survived by his nephew Derek.