Strathbogie Fiddlers celebrate Alex and Nancy Whyte's 65th wedding anniversary
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THE Strathbogie Fiddlers will help celebrate a farming couple's 65 years married in Huntly this weekend.
Alex Whyte (87) and wife Nancy (86) will be the guests of honour at a special party tomorrow, where they will be entertained by the fiddlers.
Mr Whyte played in the fiddle group from 1994 until three years ago, and also played with the Garioch Fiddlers. The music lover has been at Meadows nursing home just six weeks, and in that time has made use of the home's keyboard.
The couple were visited by Councillor Alastair Forsyth and Aberdeenshire Lord Lieutenant James Ingleby on Wednesday at the nursing home to recognise the rare and extra special milestone.
For their blue sapphire wedding anniversary, Cllr Forsyth presented the couple with flowers, a bottle of Royal Lochnagar 12-year-old and a card on behalf of Turriff and District councillors. Mr Ingleby delivered chocolates and a card, and they received a personal message of congratulations from the Queen.
Asked the secret of their long and happy union, Mrs Whyte said: "A happy marriage is a union of two good forgivers."
The couple lived in Rothienorman when they married in 1954 then moved in 1957 to Ivy Cottage, Ythanwells, where they spent the next decade.
They then took on a grandfather's farm at Upper Hassiewells, Ythanwells, where they farmed until 1988. They later farmed at North Mains, Balgaveny - a return to the very place Mr Whyte was born - staying there for 30 years.
In 2018 the Whytes returned to Rothienorman - where they had started out as newlyweds - as residents at Kinbroom House sheltered housing.
The couple have a daughter, Sandra, and two sons, Steven and Bryan. They have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The couple will be surrounded by their family and friends to celebrate their long and happy union on Saturday.
