Couple look back on 50 years of wedded bliss

Ross and Margaret Laidlaw met while working at Dolphin School, near Newark in Nottinghamshire. She was matron, while he was a master.

They were married on September 7, 1962 at Corstorphine Old Parish Kirk.

They had become engaged in Cambridge.

Her wedding being her first trip north of the Border, Margaret was then whisked off on honeymoon, visiting Loch Dionard, the “glory of the Highlands”.

After their time away, they returned to Edinburgh for spell before they were temporarily parted when Ross headed back to Dolphin School, while Margaret took a job at the Simpson Memorial Maternity hospital.

Being very musical, Margaret attended the Royal College of Music, but financial constraints forced her to drop out.

In need of solid income, her father suggested child nursing. She became inspired to help children, establishing herself as a children’s diathetic nurse.

Their next stop was Wales, where they moved in 1963 as Ross became house master at the Merton House School.

Their son Kenneth was born a year later, which prompted the family to move to Edinburgh.

In 1966, Ross and Margaret welcomed their second child, Ruth.

Ross, who gained his degree from Edinburgh University, continued to teach, while Margaret worked with foreign students who had come to study in Scotland, through which she made many lifelong friends.

Ross retired from his final teaching position at Belhaven Hill School in 1992, but has since written a number of books, three of which have won Scottish Arts Council awards.

Charity work has been one of Margaret’s biggest passions and earlier this year she was awarded the MBE at Holyrood Palace for her services to Unicef.

She founded the Dunbar branch more than 25 years ago, and has raised more than £115,000, including £2000 already this year.

After landing the honour earlier this year, she told the Evening News: “I had a few young people recently who said they didn’t think putting on a coffee morning to raise £60 was worthwhile doing, but over the years we’ve raised £117,000.”

Margaret and Ross enjoy their life together in Dunbar, and welcome the company of their two grown children, and nine-year-old grandson, William.

They celebrated their 50 years of marriage with a thanksgiving service at St Anne’s Church in their home town, which was attended by around 150 people.

Friends and family travelled for as far afield as Holland for the big day, on September 7, at which the couple exchanged their vows again.