Real Lives: Russell's retirement plans are already cut and dried

Published on Monday 1 August 2011 17:22

Russell Lawrie is to hang up his scissors after working as a ladies' hairdresser in the Capital for almost half a century.

Russell, now 65, was born in Danderhall in a family of dairy farmers but grew up in Gifford at Skedbush Farm. When his two brothers followed tradition by joining the family business, Russell decided to do something completely different and become a hairdresser.

His interest in the trade started at an early age.

"I always liked going to the hairdresser's with my mother to watch them styling," he said. "When I was out of school at 15, I decided that this is what I wanted to do and managed to get an apprenticeship in North Berwick."

Three years later he moved to Carluke to live with an aunt and work in her friend's saloon. This first job meant more than the start of his career, he also met his future wife Alisa.

She walked into the saloon to get her hair done for a ball and by the end of the appointment she also had a date for it.

Russell proposed to her a year later and they have been together ever since. "She is the love of my life, she gives me strength," he said.

Four years later the couple's daughter, Wendy, was born.

Russell has been working as a ladies' hairdresser in Edinburgh since 1965. He cut and styled hair in the Stockbridge area for 15 years, until he branched out and opened his own saloon in neighbouring Trinity.

Opening the salon was a joint effort. A friend of his helped with the venue and his daughter used to work there on weekends and summers. "I used to go there on Saturday mornings and help out with another friend. This was the first job I ever had," said Wendy.

His longevity in the business enabled him to build a large clientele and become well known in the area. But this is not the only reasons for his popularity, daughter Wendy added. He is also known as a performer.

Russell is a member of The Bohemians, one of Edinburgh's best known amateur musical companies, which recently celebrated its 100th year.

His involvement with The Bohemnians started in the 1960s. Now he is an honorary member and, although he is not performing on stage any more, he still tries to help out, being their most successful ticket seller.

Now, Russell has decided it is time to retire, relax and spend time with his grandson Harvey, seven, and granddaughter Sadie, who is five. He will finish working at the start of September.

Keen traveller Russell can also look forward to a trip to the Caribbean with the family next year.

Will he miss his work? "Of course I will. I'll miss all the customers and all the stories they tell me. And I would like to thank past and present staff and Sheila and Willy Steedman for all their help and support."