ALVA ACADEMY turned out on Friday to say goodbye to one of the school's most respected and adored figures.

Robert "Rab" Johnston served as a janitor at the school for 23 years and was at the heart of the school and its community.

Around 800 pupils and staff lined both sides of Academy Avenue and all around the school and erupted into a spontaneous applause at the funeral cortege passed, bringing Rab back to Alva Academy one last time.

The procession was led by S4 pupil and world-class piper Lewis Maxwell, who piped Amazing Grace and Highland Cathedral as they passed the line of mourners.

Since his passing, tributes have flooded in to Rab.

Scott McEwan, the headteacher of Alva Academy, led the tributes, writing to the school community recently.

He said: "Rab was a friend to many, and we will miss his kindness, his positivity, and his great humour.

"Over the last few years of his career, Rab's shirt said AMEY but please be in no doubt that his heart always said Alva."

Teacher David Clifford remarked that "the word legend is too often used to describe people but Alva Academy today lost a legend.

"We had to do something to pay our respects," he added. "The school was his second home and it just shows how much he meant to us."

He described Rab as "a confident man on the outside but a devoted and loving family man on the inside".

David continued: "He did have this larger than life exterior, with confidence and humour, but he was a big softie at heart and he was the very talented man who got up in front of the whole school to sing a song dedicated to his wife.

"He will also go down as the undefeated table tennis champion, unbeaten by both pupils and staff."

Rab would always be seen in his shirt and tie, even once during a charity football match for Macmillan, as he always played a massive role in the school's charity efforts.

David added: "Rab was also so accommodating and respectful with our Remembrance tannoys and would always stand for the last post and silence.

"He would also have done anything for his fellow janitors and friends, especially Peter in the old school and his partner-in-crime John Currie.

"Rab was strong as an ox and fiercely proud, two qualities that were needed most over the past few years. He never complained and always said: 'You've just got to get on with it, mate'."

Rab's sister Caroline expressed her gratitude to everyone at the school who came out to say farewell to her beloved brother.

"Thank you to everyone," she said. "The turnout and the flowers everyone sent were out of this world.

"It was amazing to see how absolutely loved he was by everyone – it was an amazing sight to see."

Alva Academy will have a memorial garden for Rab and they will be introducing the Robert Johnston memorial trophy, with the family deciding what the trophy will be awarded for.

Ending his tribute, David concluded: "The most important people in a school are often the office staff, cleaners, kitchen staff and janitors.

"They are the glue that holds the school together and Rab kept a trusty cap on that glue. Rest easy my friend."