Helping them to celebrate and bearing gifts was Maitland Mackie, Deputy Lieutenant, who brought flowers and fruit and a personal gift of tokens for Mackie's of Scotland.

Allan Hendry, councillor for Mid Formartine, came with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of whisky on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, and they received the customary greetings from HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

The couple who have lived in Meldrum all their married life first met 63 years ago at a dance in Barthol Chapel to which they both cycled – he from Oldmeldrum and she from her home in Tarves. A lengthy courtship followed.

Gordon explained: "She was the bonniest quine there." He added that from then on love just blossomed.

And Gordon was able to prove his devotion one winter night when he walked to Tarves through snowdrifts with his bicycle, though he joked that he had come to see her mother who gave him good breakfasts.

Mabel and Gordon were married 60 years ago at Meldrum House and honeymooned in Macduff before settling down in Oldmeldrum.

Working at the Loco Works as a boiler man until it closed in 1969, Gordon later became a welder and finished his working life seeing schoolchildren safely across the road, while Mabel was a shorthand typist in Aberdeen throughout her working life while looking after Gordon and their children.

Mabel said: "I don't know where the time has gone. We've had our ups and downs but we've always stuck together. It's just how you make it."

Gordon added: "We've always done everything together," and speaking about Mabel he said: "She never did anything wrong – the only thing she ever did wrong was marry me!"

Concluding, he said: "Yes, she's been nae bother. She's been a good 'een – I've no complaints and I would pick the same one all over again."

The couple have a son and a daughter who both live locally, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.