ONE of Scotland's most senior judges has brought the curtain down on an illustrious career.

Lord Hope of Craighead, 75 today, has retired as deputy president of the Supreme Court, Britain's highest court. He was previously Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General.

In a farewell message to colleagues, Lord Hope said he "owed everything to the Faculty of Advocates" and made a revelation about his first appointment.

As David Hope, he was called to the Bar in 1965, becoming a QC in 1978. He was elected Dean of the Faculty of Advocates in 1986.

At a valedictory ceremony in the London-based Supreme Court, Lord Hope revealed that he had won the election for dean as the outside candidate and by the "slightest possible margin."

He said: "It could quite easily have gone the other way. As it happened, I had been in office three years when Lord Emslie announced he wanted to retire (as Lord President/Lord Justice General). "

He said the then Lord Advocate Lord Fraser, who died at the weekend, wanted to put his name on the list. But he added that when the three names were put forward, Margaret Thatcher selected him.

He added: "Had I not been Dean, that (his selection) would certainly not have happened. That is why I owe everything to that vote. I owe everything to the Faculty."

The current Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Richard Keen, QC, paid tribute to Lord Hope at the ceremony in London. He said: "Lord Hope has illuminated the law with intelligence and the care and industry he brought to bear in every case in which he appeared."