Diamond dancers reel back the years

After 60 years of wedded bliss, yesterday was a diamond day for Angus couple Alan and Irene Stewart.

But the sweethearts have another important date circled on their calendar – not too far away.

That is when they will pop on their dancing shoes and be back on the floor to finally enjoy the shared passion which brought them together and has endured a lifetime.

The big gap in their life has been the absence of the Scottish dances across Angus and beyond which have kept them on their toes into their 80s.

They have four children – Dorothy, Janice, Alan and Elaine – as well as seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

And the couple, whose home has been in Forfar for the last 47 years, have missed face-to-face contact with farther-flung family members during the pandemic.

And it is why Banchory Legion on November 6 with the Garioch Blend will be the best belated diamond anniversary present they can give each other.

“We love our dancing – it’s what keeps us happy,” said Irene, who hails from the Mearns village of Auchenblae and worked as a cook at Stracathro

Hospital. She met Brechiner Alan at the dancing in the town’s Temperance Hall – the City Road venue affectionately known locally as the “sweat box”.

And while the young joiner’s good looks caught Irene’s eye, she was just as interested in what his feet were doing.

“I told him if he didn’t learn to dance he couldn’t be my boyfriend,” she said.

“He had a little touch of rhythm and he tells everyone he’s been a good little soldier learning to dance properly since then.”

Irene, 79, added: “We were engaged within a year and married at St Ninian’s Church in Brechin within another year.”

Alan, now 80, worked with as a joiner at Tayside firms including Charles Gray and Hall & Tawse.

His retirement saw the couple step out several times a week to enjoy their passion for Scottish dancing and the many friendships they made.

For years pre-pandemic, a typical week would include trips to Kingsmuir, Montrose and Laurencekirk for regular afternoon or evening dances.

Daughter Elaine said: “They can still show us what real dancing is – the family all love seeing them on the floor together.”

FEET FIRST: Irene and Alan Stewart get dancing.