A FAMILY business in Peebles has marked its 100th anniversary.

Funeral directors P Grandison, based in March Street, has helped bereaved families in the region since 1924.

The firm is entering its fifth Grandison generation, with the appointment of Lewis, 17, the great-great-grandson of founder Peter.

When Peter Grandison senior took over, James Elliot was trading as a joiner and undertaker at 3 March Street and here the business has remained.

Peter died in 1964 and his son Leonard, the 1938 Cornet, who joined pre-Second World War, continued at the helm until he retired in 1989.

Leonard passed the business to his son James, who had started as an apprentice joiner in 1966 and closed the joinery side to concentrate on funeral directing.

James, 74, retired in 2017 but still acts as a consultant and the firm is currently managed by his son, Peter, 44.

Peter said: “I learned from James and Lewis will do the same learning from me. I am James’ shadow and Lewis is mine.”

There is one non-family member of the firm, Ben Muir, who was recruited in recent years.

Peter said: “It is a 24/7 career and I can get called out at any time. It will be good to have an extra pair of hands when Lewis is fully trained.

“There are some recent changes and from March 2025 the Scottish Government is introducing a funeral directors’ code of practice.”

Across the years there were many changes, from a horse drawn hearse to today’s Mercedes and making coffins to buying in stock.

Peter said: “One-hundred years ago we used a horse drawn hearse hired from Tweeddale Motors, who still service our vehicles.

“Our own first hearse was a 1960s Ford Zodiac and we have had many including an Austin Princess.”

Some things remain very traditional and the founder’s roll-top desk is still in the office opposite Peter’s computer.

James said: “We have a hand-written ledger of all funerals, up to date, starting in 1933, when the cost without a plot was £14 six shillings.”