Momentary hello led to 60 happy years together

Despite being kept apart for three years while Mr McDonald, 84, was serving during the Second World War and a further 15 when he worked as a travelling salesman, the happy couple say they couldn't be closer.

They first met momentarily in a street in Penicuik when Mr McDonald was on leave from 123rd Regiment, Royal Artillery in 1944.

An extra week's leave allowed he and Mrs McDonald, 80, to spend a few nights together at "the dancin".

He was soon sent to Secunderabad in India and was later transferred to the Welsh Fuselliers.

"We first met on Bridge Street," he said. "It was a Friday, I remember it well. We walked past each other and said hello, because she knew my pal. I didn't know her, but I think I said, 'not bad, not bad'.

"I saw her on the Saturday night at the dancin. I thought that was it, but when we got to the station they handed us a form saying we had another week's leave."

Mrs McDonald added: "That week we spent some time together and went to the dancin, and on the following Sunday that was it, and I didn't see him for years."

After serving in India, he was then sent to Japan before being recruited into the Cameronians by Brigadier Alistair MacLean, who served as the first director of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

He was demobbed in December 1974 and returned to Penicuik. He said: "I met Margaret again and our romance was on and off for a few years, before we finally married in 1950."

Mrs McDonald soon gave birth to their first son Kenneth jnr in 1953, then their daughter Patrina in 1956. They would later have their son Kevin in 1970.

At the same time Mr McDonald secured a job at the Champion Spark Plugs, beginning work on advertisement boards, rising to become a sales rep, and later becoming manager of the US firm's operations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England.

After a successful 30-year career, 15 of which where spent travelling the world, Mr McDonald retired.

He said: "I was away for half my life in London, Italy, the US, France. I couldn't have done it without my good lady bringing up the children. I owe it all to her.

"I was more than happy to retire and spend time with Margaret. We got our letter from the Queen and we had a lovely time last week at the Navaar Hotel with our three children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren."

Asked what the secret to a long successful marriage is, Mr McDonald said: "I read that someone else celebrating their diamond anniversary said he and his wife never argued, but I don't think that's the key. We've had our little arguments and still do sometimes.

"It just means that the making-up is all the better."