Nan and Harry celebrate 70 happy years together

Drylaw couple Harry and Nan Macdonald will celebrate a remarkable 70 years of marriage this weekend with a family party and a special service at their local church.

Harry Macdonald, 94, and his wife Nan, 96, met in the late 1930s when Harry was working as a butcher boy and Nan was helping to look after her father's house.

They began courting immediately and found they shared many similar interests. They both especially enjoyed cycling and spent many happy weekends on bike rides up to the north of Scotland.

The couple had known each other for about three years before Harry proposed and they were married on February 22, 1941, at Stockbridge Church.

The wedding took place during the Second World War, when Harry was in the Navy and Nan fondly remembers the heavy snowfall that fell on the happy day.

When the war ended Harry began to work for Eastern Scottish as a driver and the couple started a family. They had three children - George and Henry, who still live in Edinburgh and Evelyn, who lives in Bridge of Allan.

Harry and Nan liked to travel as much as possible and took their family on many exotic holidays over the years. They loved Canada, especially going for train rides along the Rocky Mountains, but also visited Egypt, Cyprus and New York.

"They liked to go somewhere different every year." Evelyn said.

As well as travelling, Nan also enjoyed swimming, whilst Harry has always been a keen Hearts supporter.

Last year he was thrilled to win second place in a competition to find "the best Hearts fan" and as his prize he was allowed to visit the directors' box, which he said was a great experience.

Today, the couple enjoy nothing more than spending time at home with their five grand-children and one great-grandson.

They still live in their home in Groathill Road North, Drylaw and are heavily involved with the activities of their local church, Drylaw Parish.

To celebrate Nan and Harry's special anniversary, the church is having a special service for the couple at noon on Sunday, with refreshments afterwards.

Harry and Nan are also looking forward to celebrating with their family. They are having a family party on February 27 which will be attended by their children and grandchildren Elaine, Tanya, Gareth, Ryan and Euan, as well as their great-grandson Oliver.

The couple's family could not be more proud of the milestone. "I think it's just fabulous," Evelyn said.

"They have always made us very happy as a family and now we are just paying it back by throwing them a party to celebrate."

So, in Nan's opinion, what is the secret of such a long and happy marriage?

"I think it is that Harry always does what he is told!" she laughed.