PEOPLE’S PAGE
A couple who have spent most of their six decades of wedded bliss on the Ballindalloch estate recently marked their diamond wedding anniversary.
Joe and Meg Milne, both 80, tied the knot in Aberdeen on August 3, 1955, and moved to Ballindalloch in the 1960s when Mr Milne was offered work as a joiner at the historic site.
The couple met by chance during a Saturday evening dance at Smithfield School in Aberdeen, when both were just 15 years old.
Mr Milne explained: “Meg went to the High School for Girls, which is now known as Harlaw Academy, and I attended Hilton.
“It was just chance that we met, and I asked her for a dance.”
Mrs Milne took ill in the coming years and spent ten months in hospital being treated for tuberculosis.
While recovering in 1954, Mr Milne asked her to become his wife.
He explained: “We actually became engaged at the hospital, I just realised she was the girl for me and that was it.”
After her recovery Mr and Mrs Milne were one of the first couples to wed at the Granite City’s Middlefield Church, in the early 1950s.
The couple spent their first years of married life in a converted flat above the Harper’s drapery and hardware shop on Queen’s Street, which was owned by Mrs Milne’s parents.
The pair went on to have four children; Ashley in 1960, Paul in 1962, Scott in 1966 and Debbie in 1969.
The family bond was strengthened by tragedy in 1983 when eldest son Paul died of Wilson’s disease, which causes copper to build up in the body.
In 1961 Mr Milne found employment as a joiner and builder on the Ballindalloch Estate and the couple moved from Aberdeen to the scenic Speyside site.
Mr Milne would spend the next 40 years working at the site, while his wife made a career for herself in the laboratory at the Tamdhu whisky distillery.
Ballindalloch estate owners the Russell family have grown to regard Mr and Mrs Milne so highly that they gifted them their house on the land upon Mr Milne’s retirement.
Mr Milne said: “When I first started working at the estate it was for Sir Ewan Macpherson Grant, Lady Russell’s father.
“I’ve known Lady Russell for many years and we are on very good terms with her – we were gifted our house at Ballindalloch for as long as we want it.”
On the secret to marital success Mr Milne said: “I think it comes down to being honest with each other – and always letting your partner think they are the boss.”
Mrs Milne added: “We are still very happy after all these years.”
Lady Laird of Ballindalloch Castle, and Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Lady Claire Russell led tributes to the diamond duo.
She said: “Mr Milne was a treasured member of staff, he and his wife will always be a part of our family.
“His workmanship as a joiner was perfection, and many marvelous examples of his craft are still being enjoyed by my family and our visitors.
“The Milnes are very much a part of the history of Ballindalloch.”