Scottish sisters officially the world’s oldest twins

TWO 102-year-old sisters have been recognised as the world’s oldest living twins by the Guinness Book of Records.

The Scottish twins, whose maiden name is Rennie, were born on a farm near Newburgh in Fife when Edward VII was on the throne.

Edith Ritchie and Evelyn “Evie” Middleton, who live in Aberdeenshire, were born in 1909 and celebrated their latest birthday on 15 November.

They have remained close over the past 102 years and now live together in Bonnyton House care home in Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Although not identical, their mother always dressed the girls in matching outfits. After leaving school, the pair worked on farms before starting their own families.

Evelyn married William Middleton and has four children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Edith married Nathaniel Ritchie and had four children, nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

When asked her secret to a long life, Edith said: “Simple living, hard work and a good husband.”

Guinness World Records’ editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said: “Edith and Evelyn are a remarkable pair. When they were born Mark Twain and Florence Nightingale were still alive and we had yet to conquer the South Pole.

“They’re not just the oldest in the UK, they hold the world title. They’ve clearly benefited from good genes and a solid lifelong friendship that only twins can truly understand.”