TRIBUTES have poured in for a Dunfermline lawyer who passed away last week at the age of 68.

Hugh Short, a partner with Ross and Connel, died from coronavirus on Thursday July 22 despite having received both of his vaccinations and sticking to recommended restrictions.

He leaves behind his wife Anne, four children, Philip, Daniel, Hannah and Leo, and three grandchildren, Aoife, Jack and Maximilian.

Eldest son Philip, a Dundee-based doctor, spoke of the family's shock at their beloved father's death.

"He had been in hospital for a couple of weeks and died on Thursday," he said. "He was double vaccinated, he maintained social distancing and still died of coronavirus.

"The connotation that you are ok and those that get coronavirus have all gone to Wembley and been in pubs and not adhered to the rules is so frustrating. I am a respiratory physician in Dundee so it is quite tough.

"They had done what they had to do. He was maintaining social distancing and only going to work and not spending time with us frequently."

Hugh, who lived in Newlands Park, was born and educated in Falkirk and went to Edinburgh University to study law.

After serving his legal apprenticeship in Falkirk, he joined Ross and Connel, based in Viewfield Terrace in Dunfermline, in the late 1970s and was assumed as a partner in 1980, a position he maintained until his death.

He was formerly a non-executive director of the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre (ESPC) and dean of the local Faculty of Solicitors.

Hugh was involved with the Rotary Club of Dunfermline and the Dunfermline Round Table and a long-standing parishioner of St Margaret's RC Church.

"He was family, faith and football," added Philip. "He was a long standing season ticket holder at Dunfermline Athletic.

"He enjoyed music and travelling. He and my mother would travel to France and Italy. He played the piano in his youth.

"He was a kind, considerate and very selfless man."

Ross and Connel partner Edward Christie paid tribute to his colleague who he said would be greatly missed.

"He was a measured man of integrity who modelled good humour and professionalism throughout his working life.

"He was universally respected and liked not only in local legal and business circles but throughout the community," he said.

"His work was marked by diligence. He left no stone unturned in looking after his clients' interests.

"He was a man of quiet but deep faith. I would say his main passions were his work but, above all, his family. He was a real family man.

"We have been inundated with kind and personal emails and letters and people are shocked and genuinely stunned at his passing and he will be greatly missed."

A post on social media by Michael Maloco, of Dunfermline solicitors Maloco + associates, also expressed sadness at Hugh's death.

"Hugh was one of the keenest legal minds in town, great company and a friend to all," he said. "Our thoughts are with his family, partners and colleagues."

A funeral mass for Hugh will take place at midday on Tuesday, August 3, at St Margaret's RC Church and thereafter to Dunfermline Cemetery for 1:15pm.