Wester Ross couple ‘blessed with many years together’ celebrate 70th wedding anniversary
A POOLEWE couple have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, in a marriage that was “no doubt, just meant to be”.
Donald ‘Danny’ Grant (95) from Mellon Udrigle, and his wife Mary (93) from Poolewe, married on Tuesday, October 5 1955.
Danny explained: “We lived in Glasgow at the time, but we were married up in Poolewe. We’ve lived happily ever since.
“70 years is quite an achievement! Although the anniversary itself was just another day basically! We have both been blessed with many years of good health.
“We first met in Glasgow, which was quite a coincidence — it was meant to be, no doubt. You never know how long you are going to live or how long you will stay together, but in our case, we are very fortunate to have it extended to this.”
The Wester Ross couple have two children, four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Danny continued: “We’ve been blessed with all these years together, I wouldn’t even attempt to put my finger on how it came about — it was just meant to be.”
Before retiring, Mary worked as a shorthand typist, while Danny retired from his role as detective superintendent in 1985.
“It’s a long time to be drawing the pension!” Danny commented.
To celebrate the platinum milestone, the whole family came together at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer, where they had a nice meal and stayed the night.
Danny said: “My children all organised it — we just got ourselves there!
“We were in church the following Sunday and after the service, somebody produced a cake. That was cut, so everyone enjoyed that with their tea and coffee.”
When asked if he had a secret to a long marriage, Danny said: “I wish I did! I would pass it on if I knew. Perseverance maybe, and good communication. We try to remain the same as we were when we first met.”
Poolewe and Aultbea Free Church commented: “What a special day it was for the congregation, to celebrate Danny and Mary’s platinum wedding anniversary. What a great blessing they are to the congregation and a great example of their Christian commitment.
“Their family arranged a special cake with their wedding photo on it and as a congregation, their collection in their name was for the work of the church locally — as we well-warned not to get gifts!”