David and Isobel have flown Saltire with pride

AN EDINBURGH couple who have devoted nearly two decades to the Saltire Society have been made honorary members.

David and Isobel Wilkie now join a prestigious roll-call of luminaries to earn the accolade, including First Minister Alex Salmond and late Donald Dewar.

The couple, who first joined the organisation soon after retiring in 1990, grew to be stalwarts of the Edinburgh arm, with Mr Wilkie even being named branch chairman in 1993 and elevated to the society council one year later.

Formed in 1936, the Saltire Society seeks to preserve Scottish tradition and enrich the country's cultural life. It has wide-ranging interests including architecture, arts and crafts, civil engineering, history, literature, music and science.

Lord Cullen presented the Wilkies with their honour in front of 50 fellow members at the organisation's AGM in Aberdeen.

"It was gobsmacking," said Mr Wilkie, 82. "This is usually given to people who have achieved something for Scotland like writers and politicians. Very occasionally it's given to those who are members of the society."

A former physicist, Mr Wilkie was employed as an industrial scientist and notably enjoyed a successful spell in the atomic energy field at Sellafield.

When he retired from Sellafield he moved to Edinburgh, where he and Mrs Wilkie, now 83, became quickly involved in the work of the society.

She has been a mainstay of the Edinburgh branch, not only supporting her husband in the all-consuming roles he has undertaken, but also helping with popular society events such as "Meet the Scots Lunches".

Mr Wilkie was a key branch member and was later invited on to the society's prestigious development committee and Saltire Science Award Panel.

He is also credited with taking a lead role in the campaign to save the Scottish National Portrait Gallery from being relocated to Glasgow in the 1990s.

The Wilkies have been described as "the epitome of everything that is good about the Saltire Society".

A spokesperson for the Saltire Society said the duo were "invaluable" and an "example to others".

"They have been dedicated to Scotland and Scottish causes for decades and have supported the Society's activities without reward or adequate recognition for as long as most can remember," he said.

"The Saltire Society is fortunate indeed to have them as members - and now as honorary members. This is awarded, on the decision of the council, to members or non-members for notable achievement in the service of the Society or Scotland.

"They never fail to attend Saltire events even during periods of ill health and are frequently the first to volunteer."

The couple now live near Dean Village in Edinburgh.