Mr Muir, a former joiner, set up the company in 1973 after managing another homebuilding business. Muir Group has since grown into one of the most well-known family-run firms in the country, employing around 250 people.

Muir Group comprises a diverse portfolio of six subsidiaries including construction, homes, timber systems, property development, and property investment arms, as well as owning and operating Deer Park Golf and Country Club in Livingston. Last year, Muir had a turnover of £85 million with net assets of £87m.

Two of John’s sons. Ronnie and Alan, have also worked in the business for over 40 years and currently serve as group directors.

Since its inception, Muir Group has developed dozens of commercial buildings across Scotland and the UK, worth £1.5 billion. Muir has also built over 4,000 homes across Scotland, with several housing developments underway and for sale currently in Perthshire, Aberdeenshire and Lanarkshire. This construction and development of homes have supported the creation of hundreds of jobs, as well as contributing millions of pounds to the Scottish economy.

Muir Group recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at an event in Edinburgh, with speeches from John Muir and former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

John Muir, founder and chairman of Muir Group, commented on the achievement: “This business has been such a huge part of my life, and that of my family, for more than five decades.

“I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped build Muir Group into what it is today and helped strive for the highest standards of quality across all our companies. In the early years I was very reliant on my wife Christina who did a sterling job on bookkeeping, records and importantly wages! Christina is still involved in the business to this day, encouraging and supporting new ideas.

“Some people are surprised when they hear that the founder of a 50-year-old company still works in the business every day and serves as chairman. The truth is that I still have the same enthusiasm for growing the business as I have ever had, and I know that 50 years on Muir Group’s best days still lie ahead.”

Former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown, said: “I want to congratulate the Muir Group on their success across the decades and particularly congratulate founder and chair, John Muir, on his dedicated service to his community and his country.”

Jennifer Kennedy, director of public affairs at Homes for Scotland added: “It was a privilege to help Muir Group celebrate this tremendous milestone. A family-owned business involved across the development spectrum, founder John Muir is clearly passionate and very proud of the Group’s many achievements. It was great to see the high regard in which the Inverkeithing-based business is held locally reflected in a special video message from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.”