SO WHAT DID THE CLASS OF 1980 DO NEXT?

Brian Ferguson

Financial adviser, lives in Inverness

Working life didn’t follow the kind of path Brian, who’s married to wife Eileen, expected.

Keen golfer – and more recently keen gardener and baker – Brian worked in the fishing industry for several years.

He says his biggest regret is not having a family and he reckoned he’d probably still be local, but with kids, when he reached his half century.

Biggest lifetime change? “I needed to change occupation in line with the way things were going. I saw the fishing industry in decline, then joined the banks and they went into freefall!”

Susan Doherty Maths and computing teacher, lives in Fort William

Susan reached her milestone birthday back in the classroom, as a teacher not a pupil, having filled in a computer questionnaire which steered her in that direction.

She moved to Aberdeen but is now back on the west coast in Fort William with her husband and three kids. She would have travelled more when younger, but didn’t feel ready.

Biggest lifetime change: “The way we interact with each other. Especially teaching teenagers. Just trying to get them to speak to each other and not be on their devices all the time.”

Fiona Bark

Farming services, lives in Selkirk

Fiona was just 10 when she decided what she wanted to do.

She told her career’s officer she wanted to work with sheep and says at 50 she was exactly where she thought she’d be.

Her best achievement are her two sons and she reckons the biggest decision she made was whether or not to get divorced. Hill walking, camping and orienteering were her favourite school memories.

Biggest influence? “That’s easy. My uncle, who’s a farm manager, and who I just followed when I was young.”

Mary MacDougall

Social care assistant, lives in Mallaig

Mary joined the YTS after school and knew then she wanted to do nursing training.

Although she moved on from nursing, she has no regrets at the switch.

The biggest lifetime change she’s seen has been the switch locally from crofting to tourism.

Although she and her husband don’t have kids of their own, they have 21 nieces and nephews.

Change anything? “No, because I think you just go along with life’s events.

“Lots of things happen, some not very nice things, but you just have to try and make the best of each day.”

Colin MacDonald

Construction site manager, lives in Inverness

Dad-of-three Colin admits he didn’t think he’d be doing what he was when he reached 50 but says it’s a job he’s happy with.

The change he’d have made is sticking in more at school, giving him better career prospects rather than turning to the Open University later.

He’s a football coach for primary school kids and loves holidaying in Ibiza as well as walking on the beaches at Morar.

Achievement or regret? “Best achievement, probably my children and my partner Sue.

“Biggest regret? In my younger days, I probably drank too much.”

Jacqueline MacDonald

Gift shop owner, lives in Mallaig

Career planning wasn’t to the fore for mum-oftwotwo Jacqueline as she admits she doesn’t even remember speaking to a careers officer.

What she did reckon was that she’d still be in Mallaig at 50.

As it turns out it’s as a successful businesswoman, running her own toy and gift shop. Buying it ranks as her biggest decision.

Rachel and Aimee are the daughters she has with her husband Simon.

Change anything? “I thought going to university was a huge step at the time, but now I think it would have been a good move.”

Alistair Duncan Able seaman on the Grampian Talisker, lives in Mallaig

Spending his life at sea was no surprise for Alistair who, despite early plans to become a farmer, thought fishing was what he’d be doing when he reached 50.

Married to Pauline, the couple have two daughters, Rhian and Iona.

Alistair reckons Mallaig is his favourite place in the world and wouldn’t change a thing.

Achievement or regret? “My best achievement was being the assistant manager and acting manager at the fish farm in Lochailort.

“My biggest regret was getting paid off.”

Robert Summers

Fisherman, lives in Mallaig

Robert has a permanent reminder of his family when he takes to sea as his boat’s name, Rebecca Janeen, comes from wife Noreen and thetheir two daughters Jennifer and Rebecca.

The biggest changes, he feels, are yet tto come when Britain leaves the EU and it’ll be evenev bigger if Scotland gets independence.

His favourite spot in the world is sittinsitting with a beer at Sydney Opera House.

Change anything? “As much as I love the sea, and as much as I love going to sea, I would probably live my life differently because I never saw my kids growing up.”

John Angus MacDonald Dispatcher at Inverness Airport, lives in Inverness

Come his 50th birthday John imagined he’d be working in the port at Mallaig – instead he’s getting planes in the air.

He never saw a careers officer and had no real plan. Getting married is his best achievement and he can’t think of any regrets.

Playing golf, watching football and walking his dog Cruz are his pastimes.

Biggest lifteime change? “Probably just the change of everything up here.

“The way it has progressed, the airport, the way it has grown a wee bit.”

Angela Johnston Retail assistant manager, lives in Drogheda, Ireland

Angela has three kids, Samantha, Stacy, who is in Australia, and Pearce, who is back in Mallaig working in the fish factory.

Grandson Dylan also lives in Ireland with Samantha. The biggest decision of her life was moving to Ireland which she says she finds very expensive. Schooling costs especially were a major shock. She went into retail after a spot of B&B in Mallaig and is still doing it.

Change anything? “I would have listened to my mother more, most definitely!

“I would have been less strong-willed, I think.”