TEN years after roaring into Shieldinch on a mobility scooter, Scots acting legend Una McLean is retiring from River City.

The Strathaven-born star, who celebrated her 89th birthday this week, has played quick-witted, sharp-tongued matriarch Molly O’Hara in the BBC Scotland drama since 2009.

“I have decided to hang up Molly’s beret and leave someone else to deliver all the brilliant one-liners,” she said.

“I have had a wonderful time at River City working with the fantastic cast and crew - many thanks to them all.”

Bosses are staying tight-lipped about how exactly Molly leaves but Una will not appear on screen for her final storyline scenes.

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As the unashamedly outspoken head of the O’Hara clan, Molly’s brand of honesty has not always rested easy with the residents of Shieldinch.

The character has quickly grown to become one of the show’s favourites.

During her River City career, Una has been involved in many of the show’s biggest moments, most notably an eating disorder storyline which won the prestigious Writers’ Guild of Great Britain award in 2015.

In the episode (which aired in November 2014), Una’s character Molly faced a heart-breaking decision which threatened to tear the family apart as her son Bob, played by Tom Urie, finally embraced rehab to battle his eating disorder.

Molly was also the show’s official baton bearer when the Commonwealth Games came to Shieldinch in 2014.

Una’s on-screen daughter Sally Howitt, who plays Scarlett O’Hara, said: “Una came in to the show unexpectedly and instantly made a huge impact on all of us.

“She used to say to me - ‘darling, we have the same DNA – we could be related’, which I took as a huge compliment.”

Sally added: “We used to have great laughs together on the set and she’s also the chicest woman I know.

“We loved meeting up for coffees and a wee spritzer so I’ll be heading off to Edinburgh soon for a wee catch-up with her.

“There was no acting required from me for the farewell scenes for Molly and Scarlett – it was genuinely hugely emotional and I hope the River City fans enjoy it.

“Una might have left the show but, to me, she will always be family.”

River City’s Kieran Hannigan, BBC Studios Executive Producer , said: “There are no words to do Una justice.

“She is an amazing performer and a wonderful woman. Everyone loves working with her - writers relish writing lines for Molly because they know the delivery will be killer; directors love her because she is such a pro; cast and crew adore working alongside Una.

“While we are devastated not to have her on the show any more, after 64 years thrilling Scottish audiences, she’s earned the right to a long lie and leisurely lunches.”

Gavin Smith, BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive adds: “Everyone will miss the cracking one liners and the acerbic comedy of Molly, but more so we’ll miss having the talents of the Scottish acting legend that is Una McLean lighting up the screen on BBC Scotland.

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“We wish her well in her next adventures.”

Awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List for services to drama, Una studied at the RSAMD (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow.

She began her acting career in 1955 in St Andrews at the town’s Byre Theatre before returning to Glasgow in 1959 to work with the Citizens Theatre.

Having made her television acting debut in 1957, Una went on to make TV history in 1967 by starring in Scotland’s very first one-woman TV show .

Did You See Una? was a great success, and led to roles in a range of popular TV shows, including The Debt Collector, Strictly Sinatra , The Vital Spark, Dr Finlay’s Casebook and Still Game, amongst many other screen credits.

Beyond TV and film, Una is an acclaimed theatrical actress and has appeared in many productions in Glasgow’s theatres and beyond. She and her late husband Russell Hunter, who died in 2004, were Scottish acting royalty and appeared together many times.

Una’s River City character is one of the show’s most iconic.

The actress described her once as “the mother from hell, but quite a funny monster - she tells it how she sees it.”

Molly made her dramatic debut in 2009 on a mobility scooter, wreaking havoc from the moment she drove into town.

Sometimes prickly but always forthright, Molly often clashed with her family, especially daughter Scarlett.

But as fans of River City will know, family always comes first for Molly and woe betide anyone who gets on the wrong side of the O’Haras.

Stephen Purdon, who plays Una’s on-screen grandson Bob, said he was sad to say goodbye to his ‘gran’.

“Dame McLean is an absolute force of nature,” he added, with a laugh.

“I remember when she first started on River City I was instantly impressed by the way she works – she’s so good with her lines and totally on the ball.”

Stephen added: “I’ve had a great laugh with her over the years and there are so many stories I could tell you but I won’t because they’re quite rude!

“And her laugh? You’d be sitting in your dressing room and you’d hear Una’s laugh – you’d hear her before you’d see her. I

“I can’t speak highly enough about Una.

“She’s been a sensation to work with and I’m going to miss her so much.”

Molly’s final storyline will air on Monday 3 June on the new BBC Scotland channel, followed by BBC One Scotland on Tuesday 4 June.