Couple who had whirlwind romance as Edinburgh Tattoo performers set to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

A couple who met while performing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1971 and married just six weeks later are set to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

An extra dancer was required for the dance set in the show and when Sue was chosen to take part - the two were coupled up and it was love at first sight across the iconic Edinburgh Castle esplanade.

Andrew Gilmour, 69, and his wife Sue, 71, were both performing at the 1971 Tattoo, with The 1st Battalion The Royal Scots Pipes / Drums as a piper and dancer respectively.

As fate would have it, an extra dancer was required for the dance set in the show and when Sue was chosen to take part - the two were coupled up and it was love at first sight across the Edinburgh Castle esplanade.

After a whirlwind romance, the pair marched and danced their way down the aisle, in a small ceremony in South Queensferry on September 9 1971.

After a whirlwind romance, the couple married after six weeks and defied expectations being married 50 years on

A surprise reception was then laid on by the army at the Craigiehall Barracks in Edinburgh that saw them receive a Guard of Honour from the Gordon Highlanders kitted out in traditional dress.

The couple, who now live in East Calder had no time for a honeymoon as they returned to perform at the Tattoo the next day.

But, during one performance following the wedding they were announced to the audience as newlyweds as part of a performance by the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team, with Sue making her way down the esplanade on the back of a motorcycle.

The happy couple went on to have three children and are now loving grandparents to six grandchildren, all of whom live locally to them.

The couple went on to have three children and are now loving grandparents to six grandchildren, all of whom live locally to them.

They say laughter, compromise, a willingness to discuss everything and tackle tricky situations as a couple are the key to a long and successful marriage.

Speaking about the performance when they first met, Sue said: “It was fate when they needed an extra dancer, I actually had no Scottish country dancing experience, but I put my hand up and learnt the whole routine within a week.

“It was backstage after the show when I eventually got to speak to Andrew, and I knew within half an hour that he was the one. I told my friends, that’s the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”

Andrew also recalled that instant connection the couple felt: “Everyone around us was saying it was too quick and it’d never last, but 50 years later, here we are.

“We started courting and within six weeks we were married. The army laid on a surprise reception back at the barracks, filled with fellow Tattoo performers and incredible food made by the army chef, it was just perfect.

“Sue is originally from Plymouth so wasn’t able to have any family at the wedding and we had no honeymoon because I was immediately off on tour to Ireland afterwards.

“I can still remember getting back from that tour and visiting my wife’s parents for the first time – six months after we’d married!”

Andrew eventually left the army due to injury and became a bus driver, but his connection to the Tattoo didn’t end, as he took a job transporting performers at future Tattoo performances.

The Tattoo holds a special place in the hearts of the couple and they’ve since been back to see the show five times and even enjoyed their 40th anniversary with tickets to the Royal Gallery.

While their love story is indebted to the show, the pair have some advice for young couples hoping to follow a similar path to married bliss.

Sue said: “The Tattoo is so important to us. We’re so lucky to have met the way we did and so proud that our lives have such a strong link to the amazing show but despite the way we met, there’s no big secrets to a long marriage.

“In terms of advice to others, I think a key thing has to be attraction. When I first saw Andrew, I thought he was the most-handsome man ever.

“Laughter is also the best medicine. Andrew makes me laugh every day. And I’d tell people to listen and make decisions as a team. We always discuss things and neither of us would go off and make a big decision without speaking to the other first.

“A little bit of romance also goes a long way. He’s always been very romantic and when he gives me his cheeky wink, I just fall in love all over again.”

The couple are already excited about making a return to watch this year’s Tattoo performance and plan to take their two eldest grandchildren, Holly, 18, and Lewis, 14, with them, to show them how they first met.

Buster Howes, CEO of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The Tattoo holds special memories for many people, and it is wonderful to hear such heart-warming stories from our audiences and performers.

“We are delighted that the Tattoo has played such an instrumental role in Andrew and Sue’s lives, as well as many others.

“For anyone who doesn’t believe in love at first sight, they just need to hear this tale to know that it does exist. I’m thrilled they’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year with us.

“We look forward to welcoming them to the Show this year and sharing it with their family. We’ll make sure it is a very special experience.”