Moray twins celebrate milestone 90th birthday together
A SET of Moray twins have celebrated their 90th birthday.
Willie Morrison and Helen Fraser who is known as May, have marked the milestone birthday together with a party at the Laichmoray Hotel.
Born near Portsoy on May 3, 1934, to farmer parents, the siblings have shared a remarkable journey through life together.
Raised on their family's farm, the twins went to Portsoy School and lived on a farm near Whitehills before moving to Gamrie in 1945, following the end of the war. The family kept a farm there for more than 20 years, with May dedicating her time to farm work. Meanwhile, Willie fulfilled his national service, proudly taking part in Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation parade in 1953.
Reflecting on the occasion, Willie said: “The first time I actually saw myself in it was actually during the last coronation [of King Charles III]. They played a bit of it on TV and I could see where I was stood.”
After completing his national service, Willie worked on various farms and married in 1959, raising six children—three boys and three girls. Willie spent 25 years working at distilleries in Rothes and Elgin, with several of his children and grandchildren continuing to work in the whisky industry today.
May, along with their parents moved to Rothes in 1966 and began working in the bakers, with Willie also moving to the village in 1969. Though she never had children of her own, May has always maintained a close relationship with Willie’s six children, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren, who all spend time visiting and helping out “Auntie May” with her shopping and bookkeeping.
Over the years, the twins have celebrated many birthdays together, especially special ones, with parties for their 60th, 80th and 90th over the years. When asked about the secret to his longevity, Willie said: “Good genes and a dram every night!” At 90, Willie remains active, enjoying bingo and tending to his garden.
Reflecting on their childhood, Willie noted the vast differences in living conditions now, he said: “Its a different life altogether now, you know. We stayed on the farm and there was no bathroom or nothing. It’s terrible, like, when you think of it now,” he laughed. “Now there’s bathrooms and walk-in showers.”
The twins also had an older brother but no younger siblings. Their long lives have given them lots of time to reflect on the changes in their lives, but they have been lucky to have one another as constants.
