A former principal of music at Irvine Royal and Kilwinning Academy celebrated her diamond wedding anniversary.

Norma McDougall and her husband Alasdair held a celebration at West Kilbride Golf Club to mark the occasion.

The octogenarians were certainly put in the picture as they posed next to an enlarged photo of their original wedding day on June 23, 1957 at St David’s Church, Knightswood in Glasgow.

The couple, who live in West Kilbride, had a wonderful day out with family and friends.

Both Norma and Alasdair were teachers to trade. Norma was principal of music at Irvine Royal and Kilwinning Academy, and taught many people privately on the piano.

She taught an eight year old Nicola Benedetti music theory, and described the violin superstar as ‘a lovely person and totally unchanged’ by fame.

Alasdair was born in Toronto to Highland parents, and Norma’s father was from Lewis, and they both met in a Gaelic choir in Glasgow.

Norma was from Knightswood, and Alasdair was from Townhead. Alasdair, who was a past captain, and honorary member of West Kilbride Golf Club, retired from Ardrossan Academy around 25 years ago after teaching chemistry.

He said: “I was in the army doing my national service in the Royal Horse Guard in 1955. I left on the Thursday, and met Norma on the Monday; she was a friend of my late sister Shelia.”

Alasdair and Norma began married life living in Dunlop, before moving to West Kilbride in 1961 with Alasdair moving into the teaching profession in 1966.

Speaking about the anniversary celebration, Alasdair said: “The food was great, and everyone had a great time.”

The couple have two children - Donald, who is European director for the Cayman Islands Tourist Board, and lives in Watford, and Lorna who lives in the Black Isle, and teaches cello and piano.

Donald and Norma have two grandchildren, Tom and Jamie McDougall.