JAMES B. CAIRD, distinguished academic and professor emeritus of geography at Dundee University, has died at the age of 84.
Educated at Perth Academy, Professor Caird graduated from university with first class honours in geography in 1950.
A year later the University of Rennes in Brittany, France, bestowed him with the degree of Docteur de L’Universit for his thesis “les celtiques de Bretagne et d’cosse”.
Professor Caird then joined Glasgow University’s geography department as an assistant before being appointed lecturer in 1957 and senior lecturer 10 years later.
He was also an advisor of studies in the Faculty of Arts from 1966 and during the same decade spent a spell as dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ife in Nigeria.
Keenly interested in the historical geography of Scotland and the evolution of rural settlements and crofting, Professor Caird was a member of the Institute of British Geographers, a member of its population studies group and of the geography panel of the Scottish Universities Entrance Board.
As Dr Caird, he became chair of geography at Dundee University in 1975 before rising to the title of professor.
Among his achievements during his academic career was carrying out a crofting survey in the late 1950s and early 1960s with the aim of creating an unbiased, factual record of life in the Outer Hebrides.
He was also a well known speaker across Tayside, giving talks to various groups on his areas of interest.
Professor Caird passed away peacefully at Moyness Care Home in Broughty Ferry on Sunday, December 30.
He was described as a loving husband to Isa, devoted father to Aileen, Elizabeth, James and Mary, and a much-loved grandfather.
His funeral will be held on the Isle of North Uist on Saturday, with a memorial service in Broughty Ferry New Kirk at a later date.