'Oldest' woman in Scotland dies

It is believed Mrs Macgown was the oldest person in Scotland

A woman believed to be the oldest in Scotland has died aged 110.

Marjorie Macgown died in Gortanvogie Residential Home, in Bowmore, Islay, on April 11.

The former nurse put her long, active life down to hill-walking, fruit, porridge, oily fish, and a daily dram of malt whisky.

Mrs Macgown was named at the oldest driver in the country when she was 102 and used to deliver meals on wheels when she was in her nineties.

She had three grand-children and two great-grand-children, who were born last year.

Speaking in 2000, she said: "I think a lot of my age must be put down to the fact that I have kept my mobility and independence.

"Being able to get out in the car and go and do things for myself has kept me on the go and very busy.

"Porridge, bananas and oily fish helped me get this far. I'm lucky to be physically well and mentally alert.

She added: "And for me, whisky really is the water of life.

"Islay is famous for all its malts, but I must give my allegiance to Ardbeg, at the bottom of our road.

"Of course, I'm careful about not drinking and driving.

"I think I've also been lucky to have very healthy parents and have done a lot of hill walking in my life."

After qualifying as a nurse, Marjorie travelled from her home in Gloucester to Hong Kong where she met her husband, Dr John Macgown.

They returned to the UK in 1935, and lived in Lincolnshire before moving to Calumkill Farm, near Port Ellen, Islay, in 1952 with their three children.