But the wait worked out and the couple have just celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at their home in Cambuslang.

And Allan and Elizabeth had a surprise visit from South Lanarkshire’s Interim Provost Bert Thomson who presented the couple with a basket of flowers, card and framed certificate on behalf of the council.

Also attending the celebrations was Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Alexander (Sandy) Wilkie who presented them with a certificate from The King and Queen to also mark their achievement.

Elizabeth grew up in Kilmacolm and Alan in Barrhead. Both attended Camphill School in Paisley where they first met. 

Before they got married at the Old Kirk in Kilmacolm on 25 June 1966 when they were both 24 years old, they loved to travel.

Allan had been hitchhiking around Europe since he was just 16 but after saving up for a scooter he continued his travels with Elizabeth on two wheels all over the continent including one of their favourite trips to see the Colosseum in Rome.

Before they started their family Elizabeth worked for the Inland Revenue while Allan worked as an engineer for Honeywell Control Systems in Newhouse, a job he held for 35 years after finishing his degree at Strathclyde University.

Although their travels were curtailed once their four children came along, travelling picked up again when Allan was seconded to work in Pennsylvania.

The family spent two years in the US, with camping trips taking them to 43 of the 50 states.

Back home, the family lived in Hamilton for a while but moved to Cambuslang in 1975.

If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.