A Scots pensioner who lost a 'treasured' wedding ring that hadn’t left his finger for 64 years has been reunited with the jewellery thanks to eagle-eyed castle staff. Charlie Watson and wife Margaret decided to check out a light show at Brodie Castle, near Forres, Moray, with their daughter Elaine Butterworth, who had arrived for a visit from Canada.
But after a delightful evening on November 24, disaster struck when the OAP, who is in his 90s, realised the gold band had slipped off his finger and was nowhere to be seen. Unsure on where it could have fallen off, the couple’s daughter reached out to staff at the National Trust for Scotland-owned castle to see if it had been handed in.
Visitor services supervisor Anne Owen, who took the frantic call, immediately began hunting the venue for any sign of the ring - with the help of a mystery father and son duo. After locating the wedding band, she then went above and beyond to ensure it was safely reunited with its very grateful owner.
She explained: “Elaine said the ring hadn’t been off her father's finger for 64 years. He was very upset and had spent the last few days fretting. It was a long shot but I went on the hunt. Miraculously, with the help of a visiting father and a wee child, we found the ring in the marquee, under a table.
“I phoned Mrs Watson to tell her the good news and she was crying with relief. Elaine had just returned her hire car as she was going home to Vancouver, so I volunteered to take the ring out to Mr and Mrs Watson in the nearby town of Forres.
“They were very kind and gifted the team here a bottle of wine and a thank you card.’
But now the hunt is on to find the mystery dad and child who helped Anne locate the tiny gold band in the vast grounds of Brodie Castle. She added: “I thanked them profusely but, in my excitement, didn’t think to ask their names. They should really be the recipient of the gift.
“At least it would be lovely to thank them for their help on social media.” Pam Hill, Operations Manager at Brodie Castle, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that Mr Watson has been reunited with his cherished wedding ring.
“The team at Brodie love to go the extra mile to help our visitors and are so pleased that on this occasion it resulted in such a heart-warming story.”
Pam added: “This event contributes to the Trust’s vision to deliver Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone by engaging with audiences and encouraging them to connect with our historic properties and wider conservation work.
“Supporting this event enables our charitable work to care for, share and conserve Scotland’s heritage, protecting it for future generations. We are thrilled that the visit by the Watson family to Brodie Illuminated has such a happy ending.”
Do you know the father and child who helped find the ring? Let us know by emailing reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk
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