THE last-ever graduates from Gullane’s Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) College passed out last Friday, as community members joined firefighters new and old in saying goodbye to the historic facility, which closes for good at the end of the month.

Thirty men and one woman graduated from the college – which has proudly served the fire service for more than 60 years – at a special ceremony attended by senior members of the SFRS.

More than 70 members of staff from the SFRS visited the college one last time, ahead of the college relocating to a purpose-built facility at Cambuslang.

Among those proud of the fire college’s contribution to Scottish life – and to saving lives – was SFRS chief officer Alasdair Hay.

He said: “I feel that today is of mixed emotions for all of us who have spent many a time in this college.

“Thanks to all the staff in the past and present who have worked here and I hope the spirit of these people will transfer to Cambuslang.” The college provided training for the country’s eight regional fire services ahead of the single national fire service being introduced on April 1, 2013.

Specialist training for firefighters has taken place at the former hotel on Gullane’s Main Street since 1954.

The ceremony to mark the closure took place alongside the final course dismissal and flag ceremony.

Diane Vincent, SFRS director of people and organisational development, gave a short speech, while a presentation of heritable assets to SFRS College Cambuslang was also made.

Jeremy Findlay, chairman of the village’s community council, was among the dozens in attendance.

He told the Courier it was an afternoon of “mixed emotions”.

He said: “It was a sad day in one sense – the end of an era. I think we have to be looking forward rather than looking back, though.” Mr Findlay was keen to identify a future for the buildings, including the potential retention of its main building facade. And he encouraged as many people in the village as possible to suggest, through the community council’s website, what they would like to see at the site in future.

The sole piper playing at the ceremony was Iain Paterson (pictured bottom right), a firefighter based at Tollcross in Edinburgh.

He told the Courier: “It’s an honour – having been here 17 years ago.

“It’s nice to play your part in something so iconic and it is the end of an era. I remember it being very strict here, a lot more strict than what it is now. I remember it being a bit of a culture shock for a 20-year-old who did not have much experience of life.” Also in attendance were members of Gullane and Dirleton History Society, who had a display featuring photographs of how the building and surrounding area had changed over the years.

Similarly, they were selling ‘From Golfers to Firefighters: Where Hope is Unbroken’, a book written by Beryl Robinson. Its 100 pages looks at the history of the former Marine Hotel, dating back to 1899, and what would become the nation’s fire college.

The Cambuslang training centre has been specifically designed and created to realistically simulate the diverse range of highly-challenging and emergency situations faced by the nation’s fire crews.

Meanwhile, the Gullane building will remain an SFRS asset until sold – most likely for housing.