‘I always knew I’d make it to 100,’ says livewire Lily

SHE may have been born when the First World War was raging and King George V was on the throne but Lily Morrison is still as bright as a button.

Celebrating her 100th birthday, she is happily living in her own home, takes no medication and can chat happily about her long and contented life — although you might have to speak up a bit.

Amazingly, Lily has lived virtually all her life in the same tiny area of Scotland.

Born in Auchenblae near Laurencekirk, Lillian Davidson — to use her Sunday name — was the second of six children and her father went off to war with the cavalry when she was just an infant.

She attended the local school, leaving when she was 14 to start work as a domestic servant and housekeeper and moving to Forfar when she was a teenager.

In June 1938, at the age of 21, she married fruit farmer George Morrison who owned Slatefield Farm just outside Forfar and that was her settled.

Throughout her 100 years she has only moved home three times – to Slatefield Farm, then into a small house next door and finally into the home in which she lives today, which is less than 100 feet away!

“I didn’t work as a domestic again after I got married,” recalled Lily, “but there was a lot to be done around the farm.

“I’ve worked all my life – in the fields and bringing up bairns!

“There were calves and hens and when it was the berry season people would queue all the way from the town to get their buckets.

“It was hard work but it was a different time.

“When I was a wee lass and you weren’t at school you’d go out after your breakfast and not come home until dinner time.”

The Second World War started just a year after Lily was married although her husband wasn’t required to sign up as farmers were needed to keep the country fed.

Lily had three children – Edith, 77, who worked as a shop assistant, Mary, 75, who was a hairdresser and puppy-walker for Guide Dogs and Donald, 70, who was a fruit farmer himself and is now retired.

She had seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren with another on the way. So what’s the secret of living to 100? “Eat your porridge,” said Lily, “don’t smoke and always walk past the pub. “We seem to be a family of long-livers. “My gran lived to be 95 and had 13 of a family.

“I always knew I’d make it to 100. At my 9oth I said we’d have another do at the Finavon Hotel in 10 years, and here I am!

“But with this one I think we’ll just have the family round and a cuppa at home.”