FORMER blacksmith Donald Scott, of Sighthill, is about to celebrate his 100th birthday
DONALD SCOTT remembers Sighthill as a land of fields and horses when he moved to the area in the 1930s.
He moved to the Capital in 1935 to take up a job as a blacksmith, after completing an apprenticeship in Perthshire.
He has called Sighthill
home ever since.
"There used to be lots of blacksmiths, now there are hardly any," he said. "All the horses have gone."
Mr Scott was born in the Black Isle, in the Highlands, in 1908 and is one of three in his family who have enjoyed a long life.
His sister lived to 99, and his sister-in-law, who lives in Inverness, is 104.
During the Second World War, Mr Scott served in The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for two years and was based in Ireland.
When the war ended he returned to Edinburgh where he bought a van and started his own business, DJ Scott Blacksmiths. It was during that second spell in Edinburgh where Mr Scott met his future wife, Shona, at a dance in Murrayfield.
At the time Shona had been working as a cook in the Murrayfield area.
Mrs Scott died in 1987 at the age of 75, and Mr Scott now lives with their son Alistair, 63.
The father and son, who live in Sighthill Avenue, are to be joined by family members from Bolton at the weekend to celebrate Mr Scott's 100th birthday.
His son said: "We're planning something special on Saturday. We are going to the Dalmahoy in Kirknewton for lunch and we are all looking forward to it very much."
Neighbour Moira Dryden, 63, has known him for 25 years.
She visits Mr Scott regularly and is often greeted by a tub of jam or marmalade, which he makes himself.
She said: "He's a good neighbour and a lovely man. He has told me some great stories over the years about the old horse-and-cart days. He makes his own home cooking and is very independent."
She will take Mr Scott for a haircut on Saturday to prepare him for the big day. She added: "He can be a very smartly dressed gentleman."
A keen gardener, Mr Scott spends a lot of time in his greenhouse, watering plants and weeding.
He said: "The secret to a long life is to do plenty of work. I keep myself busy, always busy."
Asked what he thinks of Edinburgh as a place to live he said: "Well, I've been here for 70 years so it's not a bad place."
Mr Scott's 100th birthday is on Monday.
The full article contains 452 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
