THERE WAS no shortage of reasons to celebrate in the Perthshire town of Alyth at the weekend as Scott Murray tied the knot with blushing bride Moira—50 years to the minute after his parents got hitched.

Scott’s dad Jim (74) and mum Mary (70) married on October 4, 1958, at St Andrew’s Parish Church in North Berwick.

During their ceremony, they could not have imagined that exactly five decades later they would be proudly looking on as their 48-year-old son exchanged vows with his 35-year-old sweetheart.

Incredibly, October 4 is also Jim’s birthday and Scott revealed the whole day represented a dream come true.

“It is hard to put in words what this means to me,” he said.

“I am just so grateful to my parents for everything they have done.

“There cannot be too many people who celebrate their wedding at the same time as their parents’ 50th and it is a great honour.”

Scott works as a piping instructor at Morrison’s Academy in Crieff and was able to supply some of the music at Saturday night’s emotional reception, held in Coupar Angus following the wedding itself at Alyth Parish Church.

Bride Moira, a catering instructor at Dundee College, shares his passion for the bagpipes and also showcased her skills during the celebrations.

“My parents did not want anything to take the shine off our wedding day and were not expecting anything special to mark their golden anniversary,” said Scott.

“However, we had a cake made for them and I piped it in, playing a tune composed for them by my mother’s brother.

“My three sisters carried the cake in and it was a very special moment.”

After Scott proposed to Moira they had initially wanted to avoid October 4.

“At first we did not want the celebrations to clash,” said the groom.

“We did not want to take anything away from my parents because being married for 50 years is definitely something to celebrate.

“However, it was the only date that really worked out and the idea quickly grew on us.”

He continued, “Mum and dad were delighted that we were marrying on the same day and I should also thank Moira and her parents who were very pleased to go along with it.”

Among those delighted to be joining in the celebrations was Scott’s 10-year-old daughter Fiona.

“Fiona was born when I was with my first wife, who tragically died of cancer,” said Scott.

“I just want to thank everybody involved with today’s celebrations as it finally feels as if we are moving on.”