106-year-old says resisting romance made her stronger

Isabella Blyth was heavily involved with her church and sang in the Edinburgh Choral Union

One lady, however, is about to make it to 106 without ever enjoying a smooch - and she isn't the least bit bothered.

Isabella Blyth, from Gorgie, has revealed that the secret to her long life is not an aversion to alcohol or fatty foods - it is down to the fact that she has never been romantically involved with anybody.

The plucky pensioner, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow, has no regrets about living a life of abstinence and in fact believes it has made her physically and mentally strong.

Miss Blyth's niece, Sheena Campbell, who visits her aunt a couple of times a week, said they would mark the day with a cake, champagne and a reminisce about the past.

She said: "Isa is an amazing character and you wouldn't believe she was 106.

"She says that she has never felt the need for a romance and has never had time for a man. She had a high-powered job as a private secretary with North British Distilleries, which meant she was always busy.

"I think she was also a bit of a maiden lady because she was the first born in her family and acted as a head with her six brothers and sisters.

"She was a very caring, church-going lady and she had no complaints about a lack of romance. She did like the odd sherry though, as a treat."

Despite her grand old age, Miss Blyth, who has stayed at Jubilee House Care Home for the past two years, insists on washing and feeding herself.

Ms Campbell, 67, said: "Isa was always very determined and nothing got in her way.

"She was wrapped up in her church and she loved her choir and flower club. She never had time to be sad because if she wasn't caring for friends and family she was gardening or enjoying a little bit of golf. I'm not sure if anyone ever tried it on but they never got anywhere."

Miss Blyth was born in 1904 in Gorgie to John and Janet Blyth and was christened in Tolbooth Parish Church, of which she is still a member.

She went to Tynecastle school and describes her childhood as "happy and healthy", up until the outbreak of war in 1914, when her father was called up to fight. He applied to fight for the Royal Scots, but when his recruiting agent discovered he could drive - a rare skill in 1914 - he was sent to the Army Service Corps to drive trucks in France and Belgium.

After she finished school she took a job as a shorthand typist at North British Distilleries, a job she held for 35 years.

She was heavily involved with her church and was a singer in the Edinburgh Choral Union. She has also been on a number of foreign trips with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Miss Blyth took up residence at Cairn Housing Association's Jubilee Court in Polwarth Terrace in 1994, before moving to the care home.