It is not everyday that someone turns 100 and receives that coveted letter from the Queen in Scotland’s capital.
But that is exactly what happened to Charlotte (Lottie) Walker Maitland who turned 100 on Tuesday, April 5.
She marked the day by celebrating with her close family at the Citadel in Leith where her life began.
Charlotte, more commonly known as Lottie by friends and family, also took a grand tour around various sites of relevance to her in Edinburgh.
Lottie was born as Charlotte Walker Slater on April 4 1922 to parents Robert and Margaret.
She had four siblings: Sadie, Nan and Ella and Robert, who was tragically delivered stillborn.
She grew up in Leith in relative poverty but was showered with love by her parents.
As a woman she has lived through the Great Depression, World War Two, Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the moon landings, Kennedy’s assassination, the Thatcher years, the internet boom, 9/11 and the 2008 crash.
Her daughter Dorothy has paid tribute to her long life and the indelible culture of family before everything that she has passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Speaking about her mum’s early years, Dorothy said: “Charlotte Walker Slater, now Maitland, was born April 5 1922 at Bridge Street Leith.
“My mum was known as Lottie from an early stage and as a small child she lived with her family that consisted at that time of her mum and dad as well as big sister Sadie.
“After being born in Bridge Street they moved to 17 Citadel Leith where she lived until she married my dad.
“17 Citadel was a tenement that had three bedrooms, a kitchen and a bed recess. My mum's two younger sisters Nan and Ella were born after my mum and they all shared a room and a bed together for a while.
“Life could be hard due to lack of money and lack of work. Her father would queue at the dock gates hoping to get work each day.
“Money was tight so Christmas didn’t really cause much excitement as they got very little.
“That being said they did go to Burntisland on holiday and would get the Willie Muir Boat from Granton.
“She remembers going to the Gaity Theatre to watch Lex McLean. As a family they went regularly to the dancing and long cycles on a tandem bike.
“But the most enjoyable thing in my mum's life was learning to tap dance. She was so grateful to my nana who paid 6d (pence) for the lesson each week but it caused jealousy between her and one of her sisters.
“My nana used to say that my mum had the most potential so she got the lesson and my mum then taught her sisters. My mum would also teach children in the area in the kitchen at the Citadel and put on back green concerts.
“My nana said my mum came out of the womb dancing. She went to the Beatrice Miller School of Dance and was taught by Ina Purves. She would dance regularly in the picture house during the interval between films in Tolbooth Wynd and also appeared in regular concerts for Sir Andrew Murray in St Andrews Street.
“Nana was very proud and would sit in the front row watching. My mum always knew by my nana’s face if she had missed a step.
“She attended Coupar Street Primary and David Kilpatrick Secondary. Her hobbies were hockey and running but dancing was her thing.
“My mum's first job was in Duncan’s Chocolate Factory. She had chummed her friend Bessie Armstrong for the interview but my mum got the job and Bessie didn’t.
“My nana was furious as she said she had the brains for an office. She was paid 7 shillings each week. She then went on to box making and fancy stationery at Andrew Levy and worked there until she got married.
“She enjoyed her work very much and bought a pair of nylons with her first pay.”
Lottie met her husband Tom Maitland when she was 17 years old at the Eldorado Dance Hall.
Dorothy says that her first impression of Tom was that he was a good dancer but unfortunately tied to his mothers apron strings.
They were engaged nine months later and married six months following the engagement. This was despite the fact that both of their families thought they were both young.
On their wedding Dorothy said: “They got married on the 6th June 1942 at The Bakers Rooms in North Fort Street Leith.
“Due to it being wartime and rationing their wedding cake was a cardboard shape of a cake with artificial icing.
“Although my dad nipped out of the wedding to buy pink news to see if Hearts had won, which was typical of him.
“They went on honeymoon to Glasgow to stay with my dad’s uncle and aunt.
“They stayed with my nana at 17 Citadel before securing a room and kitchen of their own at 23 Ferrier Street.”
Lottie worked for the Women’s Institute National Service (W.I.N.S) during World War Two changing gear boxes and brake shoes on American jeeps at Alexander's Garage in Gayfield Square.
She gave birth to her first child, Margaret, in 1945 and Dorothy followed a decade later in 1955.
The family bought their first home from Miller in Clermiston in 1961 at Drum Brae Park.
Lottie worked as manager with Mackies Bakers whilst her children grew up.
On their life as a family, Dorothy added: “Bowling was a huge part of my dad’s life so my mum ended up joining Bainfield club alongside him.
“She is still a member today although she is not able to attend.
“My sister and I were brought up surrounded by love and to show good manners and respect to others. We had a happy childhood. Family was their priority and they supported us and our children.
“My dad died in 2003 after suffering from dementia. My mum nursed him 24/7 for seven years, meaning he was only in hospital for the last 3 months of his life.
“They were dedicated to each other.
“I really thought my mum would go downhill after my dad’s death as she missed him terribly but she is a strong lady and later moved into sheltered housing and made lots of friends.
“During lockdown she fell at home and broke her hip. After a lengthy stay in hospital it was decided that it was unsafe for her to return home. She now resides at Northcare Suites on Telford Road where she is very popular with the wonderful carers there.”
Lottie is understood to be very close with her family who all gathered together, whether it was by coach, zoom from Australia or via other means for the landmark celebration.
Lottie has two children, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.
She absolutely loved being surrounded by her family and thanked Willie Barr from the Citadel for making her card and singing happy birthday with all the staff when they visited the youth centre, as well as Willie the coach driver for taking her around the city.
