Care home couple Jim and Nancy Cruickshank celebrated 70 years of marriage with a special tea party with family, friends and fellow residents.

Jim and Nancy celebrated with afternoon tea and cake for everyone at Balhousie Antiquary care home in Arbroath, where the couple shares a two-room suite.

Sharing their special day with them and their family were their best man Colin Cruickshank, Jim’s cousin, from Mintlaw, and bridesmaid Jess Cromar, Nancy’s sister, of Brechin.

The Queen, who has her own Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year, sent Jim and Nancy a signed card and message.

The Aberdeenshire-born couple were married on April 19, 1952 at the Douglas Hotel in Aberdeen. They went on to have five sons. Both grew up on farms and continued farming until 1988 when they ‘retired’ to a small croft in Little Brechin in 1988. Jim established a gardening business and helped at Forfar Market. In full retirement, they then moved to Brechin.

Jim, 93 and originally from Lonmay, and Nancy, 90, from Finzean, moved to Balhousie Antiquary in 2020. They have seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Their son Ken Cruickshank said: “Mum and dad have had a full and enjoyable married life and it’s lovely that they are able to continue that together at Balhousie Antiquary. It was very special to have their best man and bridesmaid there at the Platinum celebrations. It’s interesting to note that the combined age of the bridal party is an amazing 358 years!”

Cheryl Roy, Home Manager at Balhousie Antiquary, said: “Not many people are aware of the amount of couples we have at our Balhousie care homes. Jim and Nancy are a great example of residents who are able to continue enjoying married life together with shared activities, outings and visits. We wish them all the very best for their Platinum anniversary.”