TODAY’S coffee morning at St Bridget’s turned into a celebration marking the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of two stalwarts of the Carronside congregation.
Deputy Lieutenant John Cruickshank joined the gathering and recounted the tale of young neighbours Allan and Morag’s first date – which was greatly due to their scheming mothers. When Morag needed a date for a party, her mum said ask Allan – and his mum replied on his behalf saying he would be delighted to accept.
The motherly nudge clearly worked and the couple married four years later in 1965. Allan was then working in Customs at Glasgow Airport, and Morag a lab technician at a local hospital.
In 1976, with their two daughters, they moved to Stonehaven with Allan securing a promotion as air freight manager for British Airways Cargo at Aberdeen Airport – back in the days when it was not much more than a Portacabin. Allan’s careeer remained in air freight and shipping, working for several companies. Morag meanwhile worked in Keith Lodge and latterly was Deputy Matron in Edenholme.
During all this time in Stonehaven, both have been members of Dunnottar Church now Carronside, with Allan being one of the longest serving elders. He is also a founding member of Horizon, and long-time ‘station master’, looking after the floral displays at the town’s train station.
Caption: Morag and Allan Cairnduff are now looking forward to a weekend in Dunkeld to celebrate their special anniversary. They are pictured with Deputy Lieutenant John Cruickshank, right.
Feature image courtesy of Jennifer Macdonald