Tributes have been paid to one of the stalwarts of Scottish broadcasting, Robbie Shepherd, who has called time on his 35 year run as host of Take The Floor.

The broadcaster, described as a "legend", will present his last edition of Scottish dance show Take The Floor today on Radio Scotland at 7pm.

Tributes to Shepherd, 80, were led by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and included praise from Sheena Wellington, Dougie MacLean, Karen Matheson, Jimmy Shand Junior and a host listeners and fans of the show.

Shepherd – noted for his passionate support of Scottish traditional music and the Doric dialect – has decided to step down from the programme, which is the longest running programme on Scottish radio.

Now he will say his final "Be looking for ye and a’ the best" sign-off on the show.

The broadcaster said of the future: "I am taking a break, that is for sure."

He added: "But, as they say, I am a wanted man. I hope sincerely you have not heard the last of this Doric voice.

"It's been 35 years of sheer pleasure."

Ms Sturgeon said: "Sad that broadcasting legend, Robbie Shepherd, is hanging up his headphones. Best wishes to him."

Ms Wellington said, of hearing Robbie for the first time on the airwaves, that: "Suddenly there was Robbie with his rich, authentic voice and we thought ‘You belter! We are coming into our own here!’"

Mr Sheppard will continue to work for the BBC on "one off broadcasts".

He said: "It has been 35 years of top class music. From the great masters of the past to present day performers, Scottish dance music continues to be a vibrant scene.

"So the time has come for me to hand over to a younger presenter and wish the Take the Floor team a’ the best.

"I would also like to thank the many hundreds of musicians, whose music we’ve featured, and the audiences, in halls at our recordings across the country, who have provided a great atmosphere for the show."

Ken MacQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, said: "Robbie is one Scotland’s most recognisable voices and, over the years, he has been like a close family friend for many of our listeners.

"A passionate supporter of traditional Scottish music, Robbie has, over more than three decades, shared his in-depth knowledge and his infectious enthusiasm with generations of Radio Scotland audiences.

"I’d like to thank him personally, both for his work with Radio Scotland and also for his passionate commitment, championing Scottish traditional music across the country.

"Although we’re grateful that he’ll continue to work for us on one-off broadcasts in future, we wish him well as he prepares to Take the Floor for the final time."

Born in Dunecht in Aberdeenshire in 1936, Robbie first worked theatre, compering and producing variety shows, before moving into broadcasting.

As well as Take the Floor, he has also presented The Reel Blend for Radio Scotland, and has compered Beechgrove Garden roadshows and presented sheepdog trials.

He has written books on Scottish dance music and Scottish country dancing, and has a regular column in Doric for the Press & Journal newspaper, and is a compere at many Highland Games.

His contribution to Scottish traditional music, to Doric, and Scottish culture was recognised in 2001 with an MBE and also an honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen in the same year.

Leading Take the Floor over the autumn will be Gary Innes, a musician and former Shinty internationalist, who said: "I’m overwhelmed to be borrowing the shoes from such a Scottish icon.

"I look forward to continue sharing some of our finest music with the Take the Floor audience over the coming months.”