Horticulture. Prior to retirement Robertson lived in the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh, where every day he walked his dog, a border collie. Robertson retired in 1983. Retirement After retirement Robertson moved to Juniper Bank, near Walkerburn and the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. Here he also walked his dog in the nearby woodlands and hills. In his retirement Robertson devoted himself to a number of projects. He started in Pakistan where for six months he helped write an agricultural research plan for that country. On his return he drew on his management experience and knowledge of horticulture and botanic gardens to be an active Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, furthering its teaching and research. As Vice-Chairman and founder Committee member of the Garden's Friends' organisation, Robertson also promoted the Botanic Garden as place for the general public to enjoy. Robertson hired machines and rented land from a neighbour and built up stocks of selected narcissi. While his farm was not very profitable, Robertson had the satisfaction of having set up a successful business. Drawing on advice from staff at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Robertson also advised a friend on planting, especially of rhododendrons, in his large garden of Ellibank. Death Robertson died on 2 July 1999. His funeral was held at Walkerburn parish church. Despite many botanists and agriculturists being present, his funeral was a family occasion. Robertson had requested that the minister say little about his academic work. Family In 1948 Robertson married Doreen Colina Gardner, a doctor and cellist. They had known each other since they were at school. They had four children, two boys and two girls. Published works With Ian Fleming, Robertson wrote a history of the chair that he had held for many years, Britain's first chair of Agriculture which was established in 1790. Britain's First Chair of Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh, 1790-1990 was published in 1990. In 1995 Robertson's book on food production (From Dearth to Plenty: The Modern Revolution in Food Production) was published by the Cambridge University Press. One chapter had been written by Sir Kenneth Blaxter before his death. Although Robertson wrote the rest of the book, with characteristic modesty, he placed Blaxter's name first on the title page. With David Ingram, Robertson wrote Plant Disease: A Natural History, which was published by HarperCollins in their New Naturalist series in 1999. See also Bibliography.