Real Lives: Golden duo still wild for each other after 50 years

A devoted couple who first met at a Musselburgh primary school toasted their golden wedding anniversary last Saturday.

Betty and Ian Hunter, both 73, celebrated 50 years together at a mystery outing organised by their children over the weekend.

The “golden” couple were whisked off to Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park near Stirling for an afternoon visiting the exotic animals before enjoying a meal with four generations of their family.

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Betty and Ian met at Musselburgh Grammar School, which then taught both primary and secondary pupils, on their very first day of term.

But Betty explained that the pair only really became acquainted after they had left the East Lothian school.

“We didn’t talk much then but we knew each other all the way through school,” she said.

“We got to know each other better when we were involved with the 61st Boys’ Brigade based at Northesk Church.

“I helped out with the younger ones and Ian was an officer for the older boys.

“We just got on well together from the very beginning.”

Betty’s 24th birthday became a double celebration for the pair as they exchanged vows at Northesk Church followed by a reception at the Gothic mansion of Melville Castle in Midlothian.

The duo then honeymooned in Oban.

After the wedding, the Hunters lived briefly in Port Seton before returning to Musselburgh and settling down in West Holmes Gardens, where they have lived ever since.

Betty worked for the civil service in Edinburgh, while Ian started off working for the Coal Board before becoming a civil engineer.

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Speaking about their 50th anniversary celebrations, Ian said: “It was a total mystery to us but we had a family day out and went to the safari park at Blair Drummond before having a meal at night. There were 14 of us who went, including our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so it was a lovely day and to consider we are all still together.

“I don’t think 50 years ago we would have thought we would be doing this all these years later. But it’s lovely to have the family around.

“My two daughters live locally but my son stays in Fort William so he came through for it.”

Asked for the secret to an enduring marriage, Ian said: “Just doing things together and making sure that the two of us agree before we do anything.

“And looking after the kids, who even though they are all older, we still think of them as children.”

The couple are both very active members of Northesk Church and sing in the choir.

They have three children – Sheila, Gillian and Douglas – five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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