A PASSION for rugby and knowing each other 'through and through' has kept a devoted couple together for 50 years. 

Andy and Marion Tennant will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary - and Marion's 70th birthday - with a big family party at the plush Mar Hall on May 18. 

Since 2015, Andy and Marion have been season ticket holders for Murrayfield and go to see the Scotland national rugby team play whenever they can. 

Instead of birthday and anniversary gifts, the couple are encouraging guests to donate to BBS-UK, a charity which supports people who have a rare genetic condition called Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. 

The Tennants met a couple, Liam and Ashley Wilkie, on a trip to Paris to watch Scotland play several years ago. Liam and Ashley's daughter Caitlin has BBS and has lost some of her vision.

The money raised through the anniversary fundraiser will help the youngster and families affected by the condition. 

Marion said: "We don't need any presents, we have everything we need. 

"We thought it would be a good idea to raise money for the charity. 

"Liam and Ashley are our good friends and we sit close to each other at Murrayfield."

Marion grew up in Bridgend Avenue in Port Glasgow as the third of four sisters, and her parents Chrissie and Bobby Barrett lived in the area all their lives. 

Her older sister, Margaret Morrison, was Inverclyde depute provost before she passed away in 2009. 

Marion, 69, says she and Andy are a great partnership. 

She added: "He knows me through and through and I know him through and through. 

"We're both very strong willed as well which helps make it work. 

"I wouldn't change him for the world."

Andy and Marion met at Glencourse Barracks in Penicuik in 1973 when Andy was an recruit instructor and Marion worked in the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI). 

They married at St Martin's Church in Port Glasgow on April 13, 1974 and had their reception in the Clyde View Hotel.

From 1974 to 1976 they lived in married quarters in Edinburgh, and Marion gave birth to twins Heather and Andrew in October 1975 while Andy was serving in Northern Ireland.

When Andy left the army in 1976, the couple moved to a house in Golf Drive in Port Glasgow.

Andy worked at the Cartsdyke shipyard, then trained as an instrument technician at the skills centre in Port Glasgow. 

In 1978, the couple moved to Fort William where Marion gave birth to the couple's third child, Stephen, in the same year. 

Andy worked in a pulp mill and then worked offshore for three years before the couple moved to Aberdeen in 1984. 

Andy started working onshore for the oil industry and Marion trained and worked as a pharmacy assistant for three years before joining the NHS as a clerical assistant. 

Since 1984, they have remained in the Aberdeenshire area and currently live in Laurencekirk. 

Andy, 74, said the couple are back in Inverclyde a lot as some of Marion's family still live in the area. 

The Tennants have two beautiful dogs who they love dearly - Torie the puggle, and Lexi the golden labrador - and say walking them keeps them fit. 

They love gardening and have travelled all over the world as far afield as the US, Dubai, and Singapore, and have taken to the waves on a lot of cruises. 

Andy says he and Marion are looking forward to seeing all of their family at the celebration on May 18. 

He added: "We come back to Inverclyde whenever we can.

"We're a close family and everyone stays in touch.

"We thought somewhere in the west of Scotland would be a good place for everyone to gather together.

"We're very excited to see everyone."