The Hamiltons of Kintore have turned working for degrees into a real family affair.
So there was joy unconfined when Rachel Hamilton collected her cherished honour from the same university where both her parents studied and met.
Miss Hamilton picked up her first-class degree in Chemical Engineering yesterday morning, surrounded by family and friends.
And the 22-year-old said: “My parents actually met here and got married and my sister and my cousin both came to Aberdeen University, so I was always keen to follow suit.
“Not only had all my family members, who had attended, said good things about the university, but I think, for a lot of people, it can be quite nerve-wrecking going into halls and not quite knowing which one would suit you best.
“So having a sister that had been there was good. She was able to help me out a lot with picking where to live and other stuff I needed to know.
“I also think, because my parents went here, it has also made today even more special. I think my mum will definitely be crying, but it has been a very memorable day for my family.
“I am the youngest in the family, so for this generation anyway, I’ll be the last one to attend.”
When she talked about gaining her degree, Miss Hamilton was understandably delighted at how the course had gone.
She added: “I had always been aiming for a first, and won an award in second year for top academic achievement and got a scholarship in third year, so a first is always what I had wanted, but when I actually did it I couldn’t believe it, I was so happy.
“When I told my parents they both cried, they were both over the moon and it was very emotional. They have supported me a lot, so it was great to achieve this for them and for me.”
