Diamond delight for Ian and Laura

Ian and Laura Buchanan toast their years of happiness. Picture: Gordon Fraser

Former shop assistant Laura, 80, and former accountant and wages clerk 82-year-old Ian celebrated their landmark anniversary with a meal at Melville Castle in Dalkeith.

The couple were joined by their three daughters and son, along with their seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Laura told how the secret of their 60-year marriage was the way they supported each other and having a positive outloook on life. She also said it was helped by the fact they both enjoy good health.

She said: “I think we have both been very lucky with our characters, we come and go with one another, and support each other.

“We have been very lucky health-wise as well and we have a great family. I’m really lucky and I count my blessings.”

The pair met at a Boys’ Brigade dance at Dalkeith Masonic Hall when Laura was 18 and Ian was 20. But Laura told how she did not feel love at her first sight, but how she warmed to Ian, who was local musician, as she got to know him.

She said: “With him it was. It took me a bit longer. Ian was playing saxophone in Ronnie Fisher’s band, which was well-known at the time.”

Ian still plays the keyboard at tea dances and in care homes and Laura still enjoys watching him on stage.

Laura said: “I came from Edinburgh so I was a townie. Dalkeith was the countryside to me. Ian was born and bred in Bonnyrigg. I had to say I was going for my tea to go to the dancing. My mum knew but not my dad.

“We had our wedding at Greenside Parish Church, on Leith Street in Edinburgh and our reception was in the Royal Arch Halls, Queen Street. It was a really lovely day with lots of family and friends.”

Ian worked for Reid’s Paperbox at Powderhall, the coal board for 12 years and Tennents Caledonian Brewery for 20 years, before becoming an accountant with Anderson Strathern and Balfour and Manson.

Laura worked at Boots at Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, until she married and later worked at the Little France Co-op, before fostering and childminding. She is a volunteer driver for Marie Curie.