Two Perth schoolfriends last week reunited for the first time in 47 years.
Margaret Johnston (78) lived in Perth and attended Northern District Primary School but then moved to the States.
She returned to her former home in Rannoch Road after planning a trip to stay with her old friend Louise Young (78).
Margaret (nee Cathro) travelled with her son Scott, daughter Susan and granddaughter Sarah. She lives in Cape Coral in Florida.
They had a busy week walking round Perth and taking in the Edinburgh Tattoo.
But one of the wishes was to revisit a tree she planted at the Rannoch Road Cemetery at the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
Margaret’s tree is still there, but it has grown so big, she cannot get her arms around the trunk.
She explained each house in her street was able to pick someone to plant a tree in honour of the princess who would soon become the Queen.
“I was nine at the time and I remember feeling so special to be chosen to plant the tree,” said the Perth girl who has briefly returned from a lifetime in America.
“My brother Graeme was part of the ceremony.
“I am so excited to come back to Perth after many years. I was able to share many fond memories and stories of my family and childhood.
“I can’t believe how much everything has changed.
“My daughter Susan knows how proud I am to come from Perth, Scotland. To her I’m ‘Mom’ not ‘Mum’.”
Margaret shared a newspaper clipping of the day she planted the tree for the new queen.
“I’m there, holding the shovel,” she smiled.
Her dad wrote the details on it: “This was taken on Saturday, March 4, 1953 of the Coronation planting of the tree on Rannoch Road.
“Mr And Mrs Sawery of the Perth Town Council. Graeme Cathro holding the tree. Margaret planting the tree and Mr Robert Cathro looking on.”
Louise Young was known to Margaret as Tootsy. They lost touch but Louise and Margaret started corresponding after finding each other online.
Louise was overjoyed to welcome Margaret to her home in Athollbank Drive after not seeing her for 47 years. Their birthdays are three months apart.
Louise regularly walks past the cherry tree and remembers seeing it blossom over the years she’s lived in the area.
“My dear friend Margaret told us she was flying into Edinburgh on August 7,” said Louise.
“I told her I’d see her in Perth, but we surprised her by unexpectedly being there at the airport to meet her.
“When I saw her, my first thought was ‘she’s not changed a bit’ and I knew instantly it was my old pal.”
Louise gave Margaret a framed picture of Flower of Scotland to take back with her to Florida when she went for her flight back on Friday.
