TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known and popular priest who served the Borders for almost two decades.

Father John Robertson died last Thursday following an unexpected and sudden illness.

The 77-year-old was parish priest at Our Lady & St Andrew in Galashiels between 1981 and 1984, before moving to Holy Cross in Melrose for the next six years.

Father John was also parish priest at Our Lady & St Joseph in Selkirk from1987 to 1992.

After three years in Livingston he returned to the Scottish Borders to become priest at St James in Innerleithen and St Joseph in Peebles from 1995 to 2001.

Archbishop Leo Cushley told us: "Father John was a priest who was passionate about his service of God and his people.

"He was also kind, thoughtful and willing to help in any way he could, especially those he felt had been left behind or forgotten.

"He loved working in our parishes everywhere with a particular affection for the people of the Borders.

"He will be missed by us all. May he rest in peace.”

John George Robinson was born in Edinburgh on June 25, 1941 and was baptised four days later at St Cuthbert’s parish in Slateford.

After a brief initial career as a qualified gas fitter, John Robinson began his path to the priesthood with studies at Campion House in Osterley, London, from 1964 to 1966 followed by six further years of study at St Andrew’s College at Drygrange near Earlston.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Monaghan on February 27, 1972 at St Kentigern’s in Barnton.

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh added: "Father Robinson gave unstinting and faithful service to numerous parishes in Edinburgh, Selkirkshire, Roxburghshire, Stirlingshire, West Lothian, Peeblesshire and Midlothian."

Father John retired in 2003 but remained active as a supply priest in parishes across the Archdiocese.

In 2016 he took up residence with the Little Sisters of the Poor at St Joseph’s House in Edinburgh where he would conduct daily Mass.

With the closure of St Joseph’s in recent months, Father Robinson moved to the Nazareth House in Bonnyrigg and then onto the Little Sister’s residence in Robroyston in Glasgow.

He died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary last week.