MUSSELBURGH couple John and June Robertson, who share a great love of Scottish music, have hit a high note by celebrating their diamond wedding.

John, from Fisherrow, known to his friends and colleagues as Ducky, worked in Bruntons Wiremill in Musselburgh, while June, from Gorgie, was a seamstress at Buchanan’s in Edinburgh.

They met at the dancing in the old Labour Hall which was situated above the police station on Musselburgh High Street.

The week after, John, who entertains audiences by singing his favourite Scottish songs at parties and functions, took June out on a date to the theatre to see Scottish singer Calum Kennedy.

A fan of the works of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, John, a past vice-president of the Newcraighall Poosie Nansie Burns Club, can recite the Bard’s works without looking at a book, much to the delight of his family, and is renowned for his talent in giving Address To A Haggis.

Love blossomed for the couple and, after taking June on a date to the Wiremill centenary dance at the Stoneybank Institute, now the community centre, he asked her to marry him.

Their wedding took place at Portobello Registry Office on May 12, 1961, with Irene Dodds and George Hutchison as witnesses.

The couple set up home at the Promenade in Musselburgh, where they lived until their family expanded, which saw them move to Galt Road – their home of 54 years.

John worked with the electricity board based in Musselburgh for 30 years until he retired.

He was an electrical fitter with ScottishPower, installing high-voltage switch gear in substations.

June was a home help in the community for more than 20 years looking after the older generation.

Prior to her retirement, she worked at Adamwood nursing home at Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh.

John, who is well known is fishing and shooting circles, also collected the football pools coupons for 40 years for Littlewoods pools.

John, 82, and June, 78, have four children – John, Andrew, Kathleen and Margaret – 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

The couple enjoyed a low-key diamond wedding celebration at their Galt Road home amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, with family members attending at intervals to share a slice of cake and cup of tea.

This is in contrast from their usual celebrations, which would always involve a large gathering of family and friends at a party with Scottish music and John’s favourite tipple, a wee dram of whisky.

John and June were “over the moon” to receive a card from the Queen to mark the occasion, which was arranged by their daughters Kathleen and Margaret.

The couple said that their recipe for a long and happy marriage was having “a good close loving family around you, who love and care for you”.

June added that looking after John and all the dogs they had over the years gave her “much joy”.