SCOTLAND'S first test tube baby has paid tribute to the scientist who pioneered the groundbreaking fertility treatment.

Alastair MacDonald, 34, who lives in Crookston, Glasgow, said Sir Robert Edwards, who passed away on Wednesday, was his "hero" and like another grandfather to him.

The scientist and Nobel prizewinner, who along with Dr Patrick Steptoe, devised in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF treatment, died at the age of 87 after a long illness.

Alistair said: "We were extremely close. He was as close to me as another grandfather.

"He was probably the most approachable, kindest, nicest person you could ever meet.

"It's so hard to quantify what he means to me. I have got the most admiration for him that I could bestow on anyone.

"He literally is my hero for the kind of dedication he had."

Alastair was born on January 14, 1979 at Stobhill Hospital.

He was the world's second test tube baby, following the high-profile birth of Louise Brown the year before.

His mother Grace, now 67, was one of dozens of women recruited for Steptoe and Edwards' trials at Oldham General Hospital.

Grace, who now lives in Denny, Stirlingshire, had been told she was infertile in 1972, but had refused to accept a childless life and five years later, Alastair was born.

Unlike Louise, Alastair was largely spared the limelight and media attention, and has lived a normal life, now working for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary for the Ministry of Defence.

He did not find out he was a test tube baby until the death of Steptoe in 1988, when he was nine years old.

Watching his 'Uncle Patrick', on the TV, he realised himself what had happened.

To this day he remains close friends with Louise, a bond he says is made stronger because of their circumstances.

He said: "We have remained very close over the years. We might as well all be one of the same family, because I do regard Louise as a sister and Bob as a grandfather or uncle."

Alistair, unsurprisingly, regards Sir Edwards' work as the most important development in medical science in recent times.

Since Louise's birth in 1978, it is thought around five million babies have been born thanks to IVF, and Alastair said he felt "privileged" to be part of that story.

He said: "It is quite surreal to think had it not been for that I would simply not be here."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk