Two couples who met while setting off for their honeymoons in Blackpool in 1964 are away on a cruise this week to celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversaries together.

Harry and Helen St Clair-Gunn from Roslin were married on October 17, 1964. Sitting at St Andrew Square Bus Station in Edinburgh the following day waiting to travel to Blackpool for their honeymoon, they got chatting to Andy and Pat Tait from Winchburgh, who were also travelling to the English seaside town for their honeymoon.

Friends Harry and Helen St Clair-Gunn from Roslin, and Pat and Andy Tait from Winchburgh, who met on their honeymoons in 1964 and are now celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries together. | Scott St Clair-Gunn

placeholder image — Friends Harry and Helen St Clair-Gunn from Roslin, and Pat and Andy Tait from Winchburgh, who met on their honeymoons in 1964 and are now celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries together. | Scott St Clair-Gunn

After getting talking at the bus station, the two happy couples realised they had got married at the same time the day before.

From that day forward they have remained the best of friends, and shared each other’s family celebrations, and many a holiday together. Especially special birthdays and anniversaries.

They are currently on a cruise of the Mediterranean to celebrate their milestone 60th wedding anniversaries together, after six decades of friendship and marriage.

The two couples have been friends for 60 years now. Helen, Andy and Pat are pictured in the 1960s. | Scott St Clair-Gunn

Helen and Harry St Clair-Gunn were married at Roslin Church all those years ago, and still live in the Midlothian town to this day.

While, Andy and Pat Tait were married at St Philomenas RC church in Winchburgh on the same day, and they too still stay in their West Lothian hometown 60 years on.

Harry and Helen from Midlothan and Andy and Pat from West Lothian, pictured at their weddings, both held on October 17, 1964. | Scott St Clair-Gunn

Harry started work at Duncan’s chocolate factory, before many years at McTaggarts before retiring. Helen started her working life at Jack’s Chemist in Loanhead, before moving on to the Poultry Research centre in Roslin.

Andy was a manager with St Cuthbert’s, before spending most of his working life with Lothian Regional Council before retiring. Pat started work with the coal board, then enjoyed many years as a nurse with the NHS.

The two couples would meet up regularly and go to the dancing in Bathgate. Harry took Helen in his car, but Andy only had a pushbike!

Harry was also the bar steward at Roslin British Legion for 32 years, where Andy also worked behind the bar part-time.

Friends for six decades, Andy and Harry are pictured working at Roslin British Legion. | Scott St Clair-Gunn

After retiring, Harry and Andy also took up voluntary roles, running matchday hospitality for the boardroom at Livingston FC, a job they both loved fondly, “even if the football wasn’t great”.

The two couples put their long lasting friendship down to making sure they laugh and have fun every time they meet up.

Harry and Helen’s son Scott St Clair-Gunn said: “Both families can’t wait to celebrate with them on their return from their well-deserved special anniversary holiday.”