Forres couple Robert and Mary Dustan celebrate 60 years of marriage
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A WELL-KNOWN Forres couple are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today.
Robert (87) and Mary Dustan (81) are raising a glass with friends and family 60 years on from their wedding day at St John's Church in Forres.
Former engineer Robert, better known as Robbie, and former academy canteen employee Mary, also known as Molly, got married on June 30, 1962, before having their reception in the Queen's Hotel, where the Co-op now stands.
"It was a nice summer's day," Mary remembered fondly.
"We were going to get married in May, just after I turned 21, but my mum always said 'Marry in May and rue the day'.
"She didn't decide for me, but that put me off a bit so we went for June instead.
"Our honeymoon was in Inverness, Fort William and Aberdeen. We loved the west coast especially when we were younger."
The pair first met at Forres Town Hall, where they regularly attended dances together.
Robert used to cycle into the dances from Broom of Moy, having been born along the road in Wester Moy.
Mary recalled that the two got to talking after Robert let her jump the queue at Miele's the chippie.
Sixty years on, asked what has kept them together all this time, Mary said "patience", with Robbie adding: "It's because of my own good nature!"
The couple have three children – Wendy, Karen and Graeme – and three grandchildren in Lia, Katia and Ciaran.
"Most of our family is still living nearby, which is nice," Mary added. "We get to see them very often."
Robert spent the vast majority of his working life with William Reid's, where he was a project manager for 41 years – firstly on St Catherine's Road and then at The Greshop.
Mary worked in Forres Academy canteen for 28 years before retiring in 2001 and going on to volunteer with Alzheimer's Scotland on Forres High Street. She also spent time working at Cathay Nursing Home.
After retiring, Robert spent plenty time angling and playing golf – often playing with the Wednesday seniors at Forres Golf Club – while Mary has been a member at Fitness League for 50 years.
Mary and Robert remembered fondly that the best man at the wedding was Ian Dustan, Robert's brother, with Judy McDonald and Pamela Mather the two bridesmaids. Jimmy McInnes' band played after the service.
