A LAW firm that opened when Queen Victoria was still on the throne is to shut after the senior partner announced his retirement.

Graham and Finlayson has been run out of the same offices in Comrie Street, Crieff, Perthshire, since it was founded in 1885.

Now senior partner Robert Bolton is to call it a day after almost 50 years as a solicitor and will shut the office. 

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As well as Mr Bolton and partner David Smart, Graham and Finlayson’s offices employ six administrative staff. The firm’s services include estate agency, conveyancing, executry, and wills and inheritance tax planning.

Mr Bolton and Mr Smart said: “After much discussion it has been decided the firm will cease trading by the end of May.

“Over the years work in the legal profession has become increasingly complicated and specialised. In order to adapt to these changes legal firms have tended to become larger, with specific departments dedicated to providing specialist legal advice.”

Mr Bolton joined his late father in the firm in the 1960s and became its senior partner in 1972.

Mr Smart, who was appointed a partner in 1991, is set to move to rival legal outfit Miller Hendry as an associate when Graham and Finlayson closes its doors for the final time.

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In the year it was founded Queen Victoria’s reign still had 16 years to run.

Other notable events that year included the Statue of Liberty’s arrival in New York Harbour and Arbroath FC’s world record 36-0 victory over Aberdeen Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup.