YOU never know when you might bump into the love of your life, as the story of a golden wedding couple from Sauchie shows.

Douglas and Sandra Gruar met in July 1966 at the ice rink in Aberdeen – she was on holiday when he accidentally knocked her over.

After picking Sandra up, Douglas asked her out for a coffee and she said yes. That word was repeated nearly a year later, when they got married on June 24 in Alloa.

The golden couple started their married life in Aberdeen where they had their first son Garnet.

Following a couple of years, they moved to Sauchie when Douglas got a job with the National Coal Board.

Meanwhile, Sandra worked at Patons and Baldwins and they went on to have another two sons, the late Alexander, also known as Peter, and Douglas.

Since then they also had eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Douglas said the secret to a long-lasting and successful marriage is “tolerance”.

Over the years, the couple enjoyed holidays abroad and a wee drink together on Friday nights when Douglas also loved playing the accordion – according to son Garnet, that is where tolerance must have come into action.

While they had their struggles through life, the couple remained strong and together and marked the special milestone last week.