Thomas and Margaret Scotland celebrate 70 years of marriage

Platinum wedding anniversary of Thomas Scotland and Margaret Scotland. Picture: Michael Gillen

Thomas and Margaret Scotland met back in 1945 while out “cruising” in Bo’ness.

Extolling the virtue of compromise, they said the marriage had remained strong through the years because of their ability to “give and take”.

Margaret, 88, explained cruising was when groups of friends would walk around the town.

Thomas and Margaret Scotland. Picture: supplied

She said: “There was nothing else to do so that is what we did.

“The boys would walk round one way and the girls the other.

“That is how I met Thomas.”

The couple would also go to dancing events which were held at the canteen in the town’s sawmill.

Thomas, 89, said he still had vivid memories of nights spent at the venue.

“There was a big pole in the middle that everyone used to dance round,” he said.

“It was a great laugh.”

When he was a teenager, Thomas worked at the Thomson and Balfour sawmill.

Sadly, it was during his time there that he suffered an accident which cost him some of his fingers.

However, he went on to work as an architect, mainly designing windows.

Margaret was a shop assistant in a florist that also sold fruit.

The couple were married on March 29, 1946, in Carriden Church.

They can still remember the first house they lived in together.

Thomas said: “The whole house was not much bigger than our living room now. “It was so different back then, the toilet was outside and your bath could be the kitchen sink.”

The couple had six children together.

Their names are Derek, Brian, Andrew, Kenneth, Doreen and Janette, with most of the family still living close by in Bo’ness.

The Scotland clan also includes seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Most of them were due to be in attendance for the dinner celebrations this month.

The family being so close to Margaret has also meant she never misses out on a big milestone for her grandchildren.

She said: “We have memories in Bo’ness that spans generations.

“I can remember my family being part of the Bo’ness Fair, where everyone used to play and I also see how it has all changed.”

The couple have developed a passion for travelling and, during their 70 years together, they have taken the opportunity to experience as much of the world as possible.

Margaret said: “From Blackpool to Australia we have seen it all.”

She added: “We love getting away, meeting new people and seeing the world.”

The couple say their relationship has lasted through give and take.

Margaret added: “Or just when Thomas does as he is told.”