Evening News reader marks milestone 100th birthday with socially distanced celebration

Today, neighbours of Jessie Beveridge took to the street in their cars to toot their horns in celebration of her long and healthy life.

Jessie Beveridge turns 100 today

Friends had originally planned to host a birthday bash in the Liberton Kirk cafe, one of Mrs Beveridge’s favorite pre-lockdown haunts but instead sang happy birthday from their doorsteps.

Described as a fiercely independent woman who enjoys the company of dogs more than people, Mrs Beveridge was born on a snowy night in the small village of Janetstown near Thurso 100 years ago today.

Remembering the story her father John McKay used to tell, she said: “I was born on a very snowy night and my dad had to run over a dyke to fetch a midwife.”

Dog lover Jessie Beveridge with puppies Duplo and Rolland

As a girl Mrs Beveridge, maiden name Jessie McKay, was a keen football player and moved to the Capital aged 21 to marry Bill Beveridge in 1942 whom she lived with until his sad passing several years ago.

Having always known her own mind, Mrs Beveridge did not enjoy spending her free time at pictures or out dancing like many of her friends.

Instead, she spent many happy hours walking her beloved dog Pixie, an excitable English Springer Spaniel’s, through the parks of Edinburgh.

Having always had an affinity for four-legged friends Mrs Beveridge has had two spaniels and a black Labrador Retriever over the years.

Speaking fondly of her favourite and sadly belated pet Pixie she said: “She was Pixie in name and Pixie in nature.”

Still living independently in Gracemount, Mrs Beveridge now enjoys the regular company of her friend Jacqui Tait’s two Jack Russell Terrier puppies, Duplo and Rolland.

Ms Tait said: “I’m just the lady with the dogs, she is a big dog lover and will sit stroking them for hours.”

The dog lover said she is looking forward to receiving her birthday letter from the Queen whom she has always admired.

When asked how she feels about turning 100, Mrs Beveridge simply said with a nod and a smile: “It’s no different.”

She added: “I’ve had a good life and I have had my health, it has allowed me to live to 100.”

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