Scotland's oldest known living people (update)

Marion Dawson in June 2022 (source)

1. Marion Dawson (b. 19 Jan 1913), 109, of Houston, Renfrewshire
2. Isabella Donald (b. 12 Dec 1913), 108, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire
3. Ethel McKay (b. 2 Nov 1914), 107, of Cupar, Fife
4. Ailsa Stewart (b. 21 Dec 1914), 107, of Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute (b. India)
5. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian (male)
6. Anne Stewart (b. 22 Mar 1915), 107, of Dalkeith, Midlothian
7. Anonymous (b. 10 Apr 1915), 107, of Glasgow
8. Annie McCaskie (b. 4 Jul 1915), 107, of Biggar, South Lanarkshire
9. Elizabeth Farquharson (b. 18 Aug 1915), 107, of Edinburgh (birthday not confirmed)
10. Alice Goode (b. 30 Sep 1915), 107, of Inverness, Highland
11. Anonymous (b. 3 Oct 1915), 107, of Aberdeen (birthday not confirmed)
12. Anonymous (b. 4 Nov 1915), 106, of Denny, Falkirk
13. Mabel Graham (b. 20 Feb 1916), 106, of Largs, North Ayrshire
14. Cathy Smith (b. 22 Feb 1916), 106, of Montrose, Angus
15. Agnes McAlpine (b. 1 Mar 1916), 106, of Edinburgh
16. Anonymous (b. 30 Sep 1916), 106, of Aberdeen (birthday not confirmed)
17. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute (male, birthday not confirmed)

Deaths in 2022 (aged 106+)

• Nettie Anderson (20 Dec 1915 – 14 Jan 2022), 106, of Greenock, Inverclyde
• Winnie Campbell (5 Jan 1916 – 28 Feb 2022), 106, of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
• Christina Paterson (28 May 1915 – 27 Apr 2022), 106, of Cupar, Fife
• Harriet Moss (23 Jun 1915 – c. May 2022), 106, of Edinburgh (b. England)
• David Thomson (17 Aug 1915 – 7 Jun 2022), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (male)
• Elsie Archer (4 May 1914 – 14 Jul 2022), 108, of Edinburgh (b. England)

A list of the 5 oldest known men in Scotland (including 2 anonymous men I only learned about yesterday), although it's very possible there could be other anonymous men aged 105+:

1. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian
2. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 107, of Renfrewshire
3. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (birthday not confirmed)
4. Alec Rubenstein (b. 18 Feb 1917), 105, of Edinburgh
5. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 105, of Edinburgh (b. England)

Happy belated birthday to Hugh! He is believed to be the second-oldest living man in Scotland, behind David Crawford of Haddington.

Unfortunately, both Isabella Donald and Ethel McKay have passed away in the last month, leaving 107-year-old Ailsa Stewart as the second-oldest known living person in Scotland.

https://www.stevenstewartfunerals.co.uk/funeral-details

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/obituaries/5044486/daughters-tribute-to-108-year-old-isabella-donald-of-inverurie/

At this point though I'd say the chances of Ailsa Stewart legitimately being the second-oldest person in Scotland is fairly unlikely. Before the pandemic began, many centenarians were reported on due to visits from local mayors or Lord Lieutenants, so with many centenarians now being wary of unnecessary contact due to the pandemic, I'd say it's more likely than not that there's at least one person in Scotland who is not currently known about aged 108+. 

Posted by: @robbie

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Scotland's oldest known living people (update)

-- attachment is not available --

Marion Dawson in June 2022 (source)

1. Marion Dawson (b. 19 Jan 1913), 109, of Houston, Renfrewshire
2. Isabella Donald (b. 12 Dec 1913), 108, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire
3. Ethel McKay (b. 2 Nov 1914), 107, of Cupar, Fife
4. Ailsa Stewart (b. 21 Dec 1914), 107, of Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute (b. India)
5. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian (male)
6. Anne Stewart (b. 22 Mar 1915), 107, of Dalkeith, Midlothian
7. Anonymous (b. 10 Apr 1915), 107, of Glasgow
8. Annie McCaskie (b. 4 Jul 1915), 107, of Biggar, South Lanarkshire
9. Elizabeth Farquharson (b. 18 Aug 1915), 107, of Edinburgh (birthday not confirmed)
10. Alice Goode (b. 30 Sep 1915), 107, of Inverness, Highland
11. Anonymous (b. 3 Oct 1915), 107, of Aberdeen (birthday not confirmed)
12. Anonymous (b. 4 Nov 1915), 106, of Denny, Falkirk
13. Mabel Graham (b. 20 Feb 1916), 106, of Largs, North Ayrshire
14. Cathy Smith (b. 22 Feb 1916), 106, of Montrose, Angus
15. Agnes McAlpine (b. 1 Mar 1916), 106, of Edinburgh
16. Anonymous (b. 30 Sep 1916), 106, of Aberdeen (birthday not confirmed)
17. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute (male, birthday not confirmed)

Deaths in 2022 (aged 106+)

• Nettie Anderson (20 Dec 1915 – 14 Jan 2022), 106, of Greenock, Inverclyde
• Winnie Campbell (5 Jan 1916 – 28 Feb 2022), 106, of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
• Christina Paterson (28 May 1915 – 27 Apr 2022), 106, of Cupar, Fife
• Harriet Moss (23 Jun 1915 – c. May 2022), 106, of Edinburgh (b. England)
• David Thomson (17 Aug 1915 – 7 Jun 2022), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (male)
• Elsie Archer (4 May 1914 – 14 Jul 2022), 108, of Edinburgh (b. England)

this list is outdated

One of Scotland's oldest men, the previously unknown Alexander Rennie, sadly died earlier this month

https://www.heraldscotland.com/memorials/death-notices/death/30519033.alexander-rennie/

I can't conclusively match his identity to this particular birth index entry at the moment but there is a decent match for an Alexander Rennie born on 17 May 1915 in Glasgow. This would make him just 2 months younger than the oldest known living man in Scotland, David Crawford. 

Posted by: @robbie

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A list of the 5 oldest known men in Scotland (including 2 anonymous men I only learned about yesterday), although it's very possible there could be other anonymous men aged 105+:

1. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian
2. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 107, of Renfrewshire
3. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (birthday not confirmed)
4. Alec Rubenstein (b. 18 Feb 1917), 105, of Edinburgh
5. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 105, of Edinburgh (b. England)

An updated version of this list:

1. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian
2. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 107, of Renfrewshire
3. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (birthday not confirmed)
4. Alec Rubenstein (b. 18 Feb 1917), 106, of Edinburgh
5. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 105, of Edinburgh (b. England)
6. Harry Richardson (b. 8 Feb 1918), 105, of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire

Posted by: @robbie

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Posted by: @robbie

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A list of the 5 oldest known men in Scotland (including 2 anonymous men I only learned about yesterday), although it's very possible there could be other anonymous men aged 105+:

1. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian
2. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 107, of Renfrewshire
3. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (birthday not confirmed)
4. Alec Rubenstein (b. 18 Feb 1917), 105, of Edinburgh
5. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 105, of Edinburgh (b. England)

An updated version of this list:

1. David Crawford (b. 21 Mar 1915), 107, of Haddington, East Lothian
2. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 107, of Renfrewshire
3. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 106, of Forth, South Lanarkshire (birthday not confirmed)
4. Alec Rubenstein (b. 18 Feb 1917), 106, of Edinburgh
5. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 105, of Edinburgh (b. England)
6. Harry Richardson (b. 8 Feb 1918), 105, of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire

 

 

 

None of Scotland's men were born before the start of World War I any longer. 🙁

Elizabeth Farquharson (b. 18 Aug 1915) sadly passed away on 24 May 2023 aged 107 years, 279 days. She was the fifth-oldest known living person in Scotland at the time of her death.

Her sister, Anne Robson (14 Sep 1911 – 20 Jan 2020) lived 108 years, 128 days. With a final combined age of 216 years, 42 days they are the oldest known siblings in Scotland ever, by both metrics (combined age, highest age reached by both siblings). 

Rest in peace.

Elizabeth Farquharson on her 107th birthday last year:

https://announcements.scotsman.com/person/elizabeth-farquharson/d7672f4f-87d2-4b77-9e47-55c96fea6b71?notice=49345536-1810-4b21-bb70-db5d15c0b456

Marion Dawson on 8 June 2023 (source):

David Crawford has died aged 108 on 5/Jul/2023, is the anonymous Renfrewshire man still alive?

RIP David Crawford

https://announcements.scotsman.com/person/david-crawford/5d2fc3f7-43b9-4bb1-a47f-3ca51542501d?notice=8038d5bb-6d0b-438e-a27e-97390a8af783

Rest in peace, Mr. David Crawford of Scotland (1915-2023).

Posted by: @diego

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David Crawford has died aged 108 on 5/Jul/2023, is the anonymous Renfrewshire man still alive?

RIP David Crawford

https://announcements.scotsman.com/person/david-crawford/5d2fc3f7-43b9-4bb1-a47f-3ca51542501d?notice=8038d5bb-6d0b-438e-a27e-97390a8af783

Unfortunately I think it's unlikely we'll have concrete confirmation of him being alive up to this month until either the death index is updated or him possibly reaching his 108th birthday, whichever comes first. The only avenue to get in touch at the moment is through the hotel he celebrated his last birthday at and I don't think it's probable that they'd give out the family's details so I can contact them (although I have sent off an email, as a shot in the dark). 

As a side note, I have been able to confirm his identity, but as his last name's not been shared anywhere online it probably should be kept private. 

Posted by: @robbie

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Posted by: @diego

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David Crawford has died aged 108 on 5/Jul/2023, is the anonymous Renfrewshire man still alive?

RIP David Crawford

https://announcements.scotsman.com/person/david-crawford/5d2fc3f7-43b9-4bb1-a47f-3ca51542501d?notice=8038d5bb-6d0b-438e-a27e-97390a8af783

Unfortunately I think it's unlikely we'll have concrete confirmation of him being alive up to this month until either the death index is updated or him possibly reaching his 108th birthday, whichever comes first. The only avenue to get in touch at the moment is through the hotel he celebrated his last birthday at and I don't think it's probable that they'd give out the family's details so I can contact them (although I have sent off an email, as a shot in the dark). 

As a side note, I have been able to confirm his identity, but as his last name's not been shared anywhere online it probably should be kept private. 

 

Can his first name be shared at least?

@diego I'd say it is probable that he is still alive based on his apparent good health, but of course it can't be taken as certain. His name is also on a post further up in the thread.

Scotland's death index has now been updated up to roughly the present day (someone who died on 30 July appears on it). This means that, barring extraordinary circumstances, the anonymous man from Renfrewshire was implicitly still alive following David Crawford's passing on 5 July, and thus the oldest known living man in Scotland. 

Rosella Lamont turned 107 today: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6204370/aberdeen-107-year-old-shares-secret-to-long-life/

She was formerly listed here as the anonymous lady born 30 Sep 1916 living in Aberdeen. This is the first time I've seen a public report that gives her full name. 

The anonymous lady born on 3 Oct 1915 and living in Aberdeen turned 108 today. Her first name is Georgina, as seen below; her surname has not been reported anywhere publicly (as far as I know), but I have been able to confirm it privately. 

Source

Jenny Smart of Falkirk is due to turn 108 on 4 November. She is the anonymous woman in earlier posts.

https://gerontology.fandom.com/wiki/Message_Wall:Richard_Monkey?threadId=4400000000000094838

Hey Richard,

I'm not sure how to update a page but my Grandma was in the oldest living people in Scotland table but has been removed recently.

She is definitely still alive. Can she be added back on please?

Her details are Jenny Smart born 4th November 1915 and living in Falkirk she's still on the page of people over 107 but not the specific Scottish page ( https://gerontology.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_oldest_living_people_in_Scotland)

Cheers, Liz

Posted by: @heatwave116

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Jenny Smart of Falkirk is due to turn 108 on 4 November. She is the anonymous woman in earlier posts.

https://gerontology.fandom.com/wiki/Message_Wall:Richard_Monkey?threadId=4400000000000094838

Hey Richard,

 

I'm not sure how to update a page but my Grandma was in the oldest living people in Scotland table but has been removed recently.

 

She is definitely still alive. Can she be added back on please?

 

Her details are Jenny Smart born 4th November 1915 and living in Falkirk she's still on the page of people over 107 but not the specific Scottish page ( https://gerontology.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_oldest_living_people_in_Scotland)

 

Cheers, Liz

Here's a recent photo of Jenny Smart (on the left):

An anonymous woman living in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire turned 107 on 5 October, so there are currently 11 known living people in Scotland aged 107 and above. 

Scotland's death index has been updated to include deaths registered up to ~26 October, meaning it's very likely that the anonymous man from Renfrewshire celebrated his 108th birthday on 9 October. 

A few recent pictures of some of the oldest living people in Scotland:

Marion Dawson during a visit to her care home by children from a local primary school (source):

Ailsa Stewart cuts a cake at an event celebrating 150 years of a local newspaper. Source is the Campbeltown Courier but I'm having trouble accessing it online at the moment:

Jenny Smart takes part in a darts competition at her care home (source):

Mabel Graham plays balloon tennis at her care home (source):

John Dougall playing piano at 107! (source):

Ailsa Stewart turned 109 yesterday! (source)

Posted by: @robbie

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Ailsa Stewart turned 109 yesterday! (source)

Attachment : AilsaStewart.jpg

She also had two centenarian siblings:

Joan Ilma Massey (7 Apr 1917 – 25 Jan 2018)

Mercia Audrey Wright (16 Dec 1918 – 5 Dec 2023)

Sadly, Alec Rubenstein has appeared on the death index, meaning he passed away recently aged 106. He was the third-oldest known living man in Scotland. 

An up-to-date list of people in Scotland I'm aware of aged 106 and up:

1. Marion Dawson (b. 19 Jan 1913), 111, of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire
2. Ailsa Stewart (b. 21 Dec 1914), 109, of Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute (b. India)
3. Annie McCaskie (b. 4 Jul 1915), 108, of Biggar, South Lanarkshire
4. Anonymous (b. 3 Oct 1915), 108, of Aberdeen
5. Anonymous (b. 9 Oct 1915), 108, of Paisley, Renfrewshire (male)
6. Jenny Smart (b. 4 Nov 1915), 108, of Banknock, Falkirk
7. Mabel Graham (b. 20 Feb 1916), 107, of Largs, North Ayrshire
8. Agnes McAlpine (b. 1 Mar 1916), 107, of Edinburgh
9. Rosella Lamont (b. 30 Sep 1916), 107, of Aberdeen 
10. John Dougall (b. 3 Oct 1916), 107, of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute (male)
11. Anonymous (b. 5 Oct 1916), 107, of Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
12. Anonymous (b. 15 Sep 1917), 106, of Edinburgh (male, b. England)
13. Rachel Gorman (b. 8 Sep 1917), 106, of Glasgow
14. Harry Richardson (b. 8 Feb 1918), 106, of Ochiltree, East Ayrshire (male, b. England)

Deaths since last update (aged 106+)

• Ethel McKay (2 Nov 1914 – 22 Oct 2022), 107, of Cupar, Fife
• Cathy Smith (22 Feb 1916 – 1 Nov 2022), 106, of Montrose, Angus
• Isabella Donald (12 Dec 1913 – 13 Nov 2022), 108, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire
• Anne Stewart (22 Mar 1915 – 17 Dec 2022), 107, of Dalkeith, Midlothian
• Jessie Osborne (2 Jun 1916 – 18 Dec 2022), 106, of Edinburgh
• Janet Murdoch (15 Jun 1916 – 22 Dec 2022), 106, of Glenrothes, Fife
• Sarah Buchanan (10 Apr 1915 – c. Jan 2023), 107, of Glasgow
• Agnes Harris (19 Dec 1916 – c. Jan 2023), 106, of Ayr, South Ayrshire
• Alexander Rennie (17 May 1915 – 5 Jan 2023), 107, of Glasgow (male)
• Helen Philp (4 Dec 1916 – 20 Jan 2023), 106, of Cupar, Fife
• Alice Goode (30 Sep 1915 – 3 Feb 2023), 107, of Inverness, Highland
• Elizabeth Farquharson (18 Aug 1915 – 24 May 2023), 107, of Edinburgh
• Isla Wilkie (3 Jul 1915 – c. Jul 2023), 107, of Edinburgh
• David Crawford (21 Mar 1915 – 5 Jul 2023), 108, of Haddington, East Lothian (male)
• Christina Stafford (10 Mar 1917 – c. Aug 2023), 106, of West Lothian
• Alec Rubenstein (18 Feb 1917 – c. Jan 2024), 106, of Edinburgh (male)
• Agnes Stevenson (18 Sep 1917 – 10 Jan 2024), 106, of Edinburgh (b. Northern Ireland)

While 11 people aged 107+ is a fairly normal number to be known at one time, only having 3 known people aged 106 is definitely unusual. This likely isn't due to the WWI birth rate drop as it may seem at first glance (the decrease from 1914-1917 was only around 25%, which isn't a significant amount when considering only 15-20 people in Scotland reach 106 each year), but due to a further decline in public reports about centenarians coupled with the increasingly unhelpful search features of websites like Facebook, which prioritises scammy, clickbait posts more and more these days. I would be quite shocked if retroactively it turns out there were less than 5 people born in 1917 living in Scotland today. 

Posted by: @robbie

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a further decline in public reports about centenarians coupled with the increasingly unhelpful search features of websites like Facebook, which prioritises scammy, clickbait posts more and more these days.

Things that every worthwhile longevity researcher struggle with nowadays, sadly.

Anyways, congrats on your great work, Robbie.