Diamond celebration for Moray former publican couple
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FORMER Moray publican couple are marking 60 lively and successful years together this weekend.
Ken and Lorna Robertson, both aged 80, of Lossiemouth's Schoolbrae, are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.
They've accomplished a lot together in that time as both business and marriage partners.
The former owners of Burghead's Commercial Hotel and Elgin's Springfield Bar put their long marriage down to the fact that they "did everything together".
The couple married in Glasgow, at Merrylea Parish Church, on March 28, 1961.
They put down roots in Moray in 1963, settling first in Hopeman for six years, and went on to have four children, Stuart, Jill, Martin and Stephen.
After a two-year spell in Gargunnock, Stirling, Ken and Lorna returned to Moray when they bought the Commercial Hotel in 1971, settling in Burghead.
The energetic pair set about a complete renovation of the Commercial in 1972, adding five bedrooms and a lounge bar.
They expanded, in 1976, with the opening of the Springfield Bar.
They were among the first pub-owners in Moray to introduce live music, pub lunches and a women's darts team.
Ken served as president of the Moray Licence Trade Association in the late 1970s.
They owned the Commercial for 16 years, selling up in 1987. After a brief move back to Stirling when they bought a third bar there in 1988, they returned to Moray, to Lossiemouth, on the birth of their first grandchild.
Ken said: "We've done everything together. We have a big circle of friends and are lucky to have a very loving family."
His wife said: "We just got on with it. It's about give and take – and always go to bed speaking."
Lorna added: "Unfortunately our diamond anniversary will be a quiet occasion. We hope to see some of the family in the garden and on Zoom."
The couple's family has grown over the years to include daughters-in-law Susanne and Adele, six grandchildren – Jenna, Caroline, Scot, Eilidh, Andrew and Rebecca – and five great-grandchildren – Alaina, Arran, Leanna, Rhea and Zac.
Their family life has not been without sadness. Daughter Jill, who worked for Moray Council, died aged just 48, of a brain tumour.
Lorna added: "I'd like to thank our loving family – they've been very good to us."
The couple's youngest son, Stephen Robertson, said: "Our parents met as teenagers and are a devoted couple now celebrating 60 years of marriage. They’ve worked together and grown together, as has their family, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren keeping them on their toes.
"They are enjoying retirement now but their working life was full-on. It was hard work, long hours but enjoyable, providing lots of stories to share of their time in business and the many friends they’ve made along the way.
"They are both youthful, fun and caring people and we’re very privileged and proud to have such a supportive couple in our lives.
"Celebrations are on hold just now but we’ll meet virtually to raise a glass to this cracking couple, our Mum and Dad, Granny and Granda."
