MUSSELBURGH Racecourse stalwarts Adam and Elaine Nish will present flowers to the Queen as she ends her visit to the sporting attraction this afternoon (Friday).

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will attend a special Bi-Centenary Celebration Race Day which marks Musselburgh’s 200th anniversary and the monarch’s 90th year.

Racecourse caretaker Adam Nish has been employed at the racecourse, Scotland’s oldest, for one quarter of the 200 years that racing has taken place.

He first started work 50 years ago as an apprentice joiner, covering all maintenance needs at the track, while his wife Elaine has clocked up 30 years in a number of roles and is now part of the Links Pavilion reception team on race days.

Adam joined the racecourse as a 15-year-old apprentice joiner but even before that, aged just 12, he would nip out from the family home at nearby Goose Green to assist stable staff with odd jobs.

It continues to be a Nish family affair at Musselburgh, as one of the couple’s four children, Graeme, is the main contractor for joinery services and is a regular face around the course.

During his half-century, Adam has met all the top jockeys, including nine-times Derby winner Lester Piggott, Grand National winner Graham Lee, and Dougie Costello, who rode Quiet Reflection to victory in last week’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Looking back, Adam remembers horses being walked from the former railway station and along the River Esk to the racecourse and recalls that former Celtic and Scotland manager Jock Stein was a regular visitor.

He said: “The changes that have taken place over the last 50 years are huge but it has been a great place to work and I’ve enjoyed every minute. Anyone who came racing even 10-15 years ago would not recognise the place now and I am delighted to be part of a great team who works hard to always improve the racecourse.

“We are both honoured to be meeting the Queen. When she last visited Musselburgh in 1995 I was included in the party who were to meet her but I kept out of the way; however, this time there is no hiding place. Elaine and I are both really looking forward to a very special day and being part of the racecourse’s history.”

Chief executive Bill Farnsworth said: “Adam has lived and breathed Musselburgh Racecourse all his working life and, supported by Elaine, they are a great asset to the team. A lot of the unseen work that goes on behind the scenes, but is vital to making each raceday a success, is down to Adam and his colleagues and I am delighted the Nish connection is continuing through the generations.”

For tickets, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk