Grandad turns 100 and explains secret to long life - it's an easy breakfast swap

29 January 2024 , 20:18

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Robert Burns Garrow turned 100 last year (Image: Rutherglen Reformer)

A great-grandfather who recently celebrated his 100th birthday credits a bowl of porridge for breakfast and a "wee dram at night" as the secrets to his long life.

Robert Burns Garrow, affectionately known as Bobby, was born in Crieff in Perthshire in 1923 and fittingly marked his special day on Burns Night.

Bobby now lives in a sheltered housing complex in Rutherglen. His family described him as a "remarkable man" and the "head of the family", and he was surrounded by loved ones on his milestone birthday.

In his younger years, Bobby left school to work with a local pharmacist, preparing prescriptions. He later joined the Forestry Commission but volunteered for the war effort as soon as he turned 18. Bobby enlisted in the Black Watch in 1941 and served in Africa, Italy, and Greece during World War II. While on leave, he met Annie Kilpatrick through her brother Jimmy, and they moved to Perth together, marrying in 1948.

The couple welcomed their first daughter, Isabel, in 1949 and then relocated to Annie's hometown of Rutherglen. They expanded their family with two more daughters; Anne in 1950 and Janice in 1955.

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There were birthday celebrations for remarkable Bobby (Rutherglen Reformer)

Bobby, who worked at Alcan Manufacturing in Polmadie until he retired, has turned 100 years old. His daughter Isabel shared with LanarkshireLive: "Golf was one of my dad's main passions and he played well into his 70s and was a long-serving member of Blairbeth, which he joined in 1958. Although mum didn't play she joined dad at all the social events at the club, which they both enjoyed immensely."

"He is remarkable really and despite being 100 lives pretty much independently apart from help from ourselves. I remember a nurse asking him what was the secret to his long life and he replied 'porridge every morning and a wee dram at night'. And who can argue with him as it seems to be working!"

Bobby's seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren adore him. "They absolutely love him," Isabel continued. They are fascinated all the stories he tells them about his life and he makes sure there are always biscuits and sweeties there for them."

The family threw a lunch where Bobby had his favourite Chinese food, and a party at his sheltered housing complex. "He really enjoyed his Chinese, it's his favourite meal, and we had balloons and cake," Isabel added. "Then the residents at Lochbrae sheltered housing all came and joined us for a second celebration, which was lovely, and dad had a great time."

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Nicola Garscadden