Even in retirement, Lord Gill remains the foremost authority on agricultural law in Scotland, with his magisterial work on the subject now in its fourth edition.

As counsel, Brian Gill, whose interest in the subject was first prompted by the late A G M Duncan, had a long and happy association with the Land Court, appearing before it in locations across Scotland.

In later years, as Lord Justice-Clerk and Lord President, he championed the court, explaining in his judgments how and why the Land Court is not an ordinary court but, as he described it in his influential Scottish Civil Courts Review (2009), “a model of a specialist court”.

Thanking Lord Gill for his generous donation, Land Court Chairman Lord Minginish said: “To my mind what sets Lord Gill apart is not his encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject, although it is unequalled, nor the enormous industry which the four editions of his book represent, although that too is unrivalled, but his deep understanding of why the law is as it is.

“He knows and understands the historical, political and economic forces and influences which have shaped the law in this area over the years and that is invaluable when it comes to putting the law in its present context”.

Conveying the gratitude of the court, he added: “We earnestly hope that your long and happy association with the court is set to continue for many years, but today marks the depositing with us of a lasting legacy which future generations of Land Court judges, both legal and agricultural, will find of enormous value and will, I am certain, cherish.”

Lord Gill, reflecting on his years of practice before the court and the various chairmen and members before whom he had appeared, said: “My association with the Land Court began with my first case in the court in 1969. It has been a pleasure to know the chairmen, the members and the staff who have served the court over the last fifty years.

“I am delighted to give my library to the court and I hope that it will be of value to the members.”