Andrew Logan, farmer and pioneering vegetable grower

Farmer Andrew Logan, who died last week, was a larger than life character who approached all he did with great enthusiasm and energy.

He was one of the pioneers of vegetable growing in Scotland in the 1970s and saw this grow from small beginnings to the major industry it is today.

He was born and brought up on the family farm at Dairsie Mains in Fife before heading off to Strathallan School in Perthshire.

After school, he gained a diploma at East of Scotland College of Agriculture.

On his return home, he joined Bell Baxter Agricultural Discussion Society and was chairman when it won the Allan Howie award for best club in the country.

The closure of the nearby sugar beet factory at Cupar in 1970 triggered the search for replacement cash crops and he and a number of like-minded farmers set up a cooperative growing peas, cauliflower, carrots and broccoli. Some 40 years and several name changes and amalgamations later, this business, now East of Scotland Growers, is one of the largest growers of broccoli in Western Europe.

He is survived by Margie, whom he married in 1966, their three sons and daughter, their spouses and eight grandchildren.