Invergordon couple’s happy secret shared on 65th wedding anniversary
THE enduring love shared by an Easter Ross couple described as the glue holding a huge family together has been celebrated 65 years after they tied the knot.
Ian and Margaret Campbell celebrated their Blue Sapphire Wedding Anniversary in Invergordon this week.
As well as raising six children - Caroline, Leslie, Angus, Susan, Violet and Clare - they have over 45 grandchildren, including great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, aged from nine months to 55 years.
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Granddaughter Jade Gunn, who lives in nearby Alness, described the joy the couple bring to their wider family. She said: “They are so special to us. Their love for each other is something that we all aspire to have. We feel so happy to have them in our lives.”
She said: “They are an extraordinary couple, cherished by both their family and the community of Invergordon. They are the cornerstone of our family, and their love for each other radiates throughout our family.
“Remarkably, they never forget a birthday or anniversary, and they purchase Christmas gifts for every child and grandchild each year. Their bedroom looks like a toy shop in the run up to Christmas! Their dedication to family is truly inspiring.”
Ian was born and brought up in Kildary. Margaret was living in Delny, where her dad was a farmer, when the couple first met at a dance at Polnicol Hall.
Their blossoming love was to be tested when Ian was called up to do National Service in Cyprus.
He had proposed to Margaret before he left and their love was to overcome the challenges that forced them apart. It took him two days to get up the road to Ross-shire from docking at Southampton - and when he finally got back to Kildary he would borrow a bicycle to go and see her in Delny.
Jade said: “The rest is history. It’s a proper love story. I think granddad knew fairly soon that she was the one.”
She went on: “My grandfather's stories of Invergordon are legendary, as are the many adventures he experienced working for Customs.”
Before that he served time as a painter decorator: “He’s probably painted half of Invergordon,” joked Jade. “He’s always got a tool or a paintbrush in his hand it sometimes seems.”
The welcome demands of a large family and several shared interests - amongst them gardening - keep them happily occupied.
Describing her Nan as “a tough cookie” she said: “The Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford asked my granddad about the secret of a happy marriage. He said that the wife is always in charge. He said he doesn’t even know where the bank card is but as long as they have money in the bank, it’s fine by him! There’s the old saying, ‘happy wife, happy life!’”
Jade said: “Their house is never empty. I think they should be on Gogglebox. They watch TV together and comment on what’s going on. Nana is quiet as a mouse - but if Scotland are losing at the rugby, you’ll hear her down the street.”
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