A golf-mad couple are teeing off on a special celebration this weekend as they mark 50 years of marriage.
John and Christine Souter, who are well known in Stirling, will toast their golden anniversary on Saturday by holding a party with family and friends, although without friends they’ve met on holidays over the years due to Covid.
The pair first met at a party in the city’s Irvine Place in the late 1960s, before marrying at a ceremony in Christine’s home town of Aberdeen on March 28, 1971.
Following the nuptials, Christine became a primary school teacher in the Stirling area.
Meanwhile, green-fingered John studied agriculture at the Auchencruive college in Ayrshire and took up various posts before creating his own business, Souter of Stirling in Cunningham Road, for which he has become a well-known face locally.
The pair still enjoying hitting the fairways on a regular basis at their home course in Muthill, as well as taking the clubs with them on their travels around the world.
In fact, the craze for the game has even led to John installing a nine-hole putting green in the couple’s back garden, which he maintains every day along with the garden.
Holidays have also been a regular part of their lives, enjoying trips away with Islay over Easter with family, as well as seeking out the sun in warmer climes such as Portugal, the US and Malta.
The pair have two children, John and Kirsty and are now grandparents to four adoring grandchildren, Joseph and Leah who are 17 and 14 respectively; and Ashton and Kellan, who are 12 and 10.
On the eve of the big day, Kirsty said: “If there’s one thing I can say about my dad, I’ve never travelled abroad without him bumping into someone that knows him or that he’s got a story to tell us.
“Dad is well known within Stirling County RFC, local golf clubs, bowling clubs and football.
“Mum has been a huge part of keeping the Braco community together during lockdown by keeping the church website running and broadcasting the services when no one could attend.”
In terms of a secret for their fifty years together, Kirsty added: “Without asking them, I think it’s because they’ve always kept themselves busy with friends, family and their activities.
“They’ve travelled some lovely places and made some lifelong friends that they still enjoy travelling to see. Let’s be fair at the age of 81, my fantastic dad still enjoys being the turfgrass consultant for the biggest race courses in Ireland.
“One day, we will get him to retire!”
