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Schoolboy finds Tennent’s can almost as old as his mum on Highland beach


By Mike Merritt



Jack Emery (11) with the Tennent's lager can from 1975 that he found whilst walking along the shore of the Cromarty Firth with his mum Fiona. Picture: Peter Jolly
Jack Emery (11) with the Tennent's lager can from 1975 that he found whilst walking along the shore of the Cromarty Firth with his mum Fiona. Picture: Peter Jolly

Several years before he is allowed legally to drink, a beach combing schoolboy has discovered a piece of brewing history - a near 50-year-old saucy Tennent's lager can.

Jack Emery (11) and mum Fiona found the can while walking along the shore of the Cromarty Firth.

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Wedged into an embankment on the edge of North Sutor, was the can depicting Lee, one of the 'Lager Lovelies'.

The Lager Lovelies, or ‘Tennent’s girls’, was a marketing campaign introduced in 1965 and was used until 1993. The Tennent’s cans had pictures of ladies to attract consumers.

Tennent's lager can. Picture: Peter Jolly
Tennent's lager can. Picture: Peter Jolly

Shop assistant Fiona (51), from Alness, did a bit of research and found out that the woman depicted on the can was from 1975, making the can 49 years old.

She said: "It was washed up just above the usual tide line which probably explained why it's still in relatively good condition. It would only have been on the odd very high tide that it would be in the water.

Jack Emery (11) with the Tennent's lager can from 1975 that he found whilst walking along the shore of the Cromarty Firth with his mum Fiona. Picture: Peter Jolly
Jack Emery (11) with the Tennent's lager can from 1975 that he found whilst walking along the shore of the Cromarty Firth with his mum Fiona. Picture: Peter Jolly

"To think it is nearly as old as me is quite incredible. It was empty - except for a lot of sand etc. Jack saw it as we walked with the dog doing a bit of beach combing. I would have expected it to have been in a far worse condition.

"We have found unusual pottery and old bottles before, but nothing like this. It is an interesting talking point so we will keep it as a souvenir. I am partial to a lager tops, but this one is topped up with sand and stuff!"

Tennent's lager can. Picture: Peter Jolly
Tennent's lager can. Picture: Peter Jolly

Two years ago, a similar can turned up on St Kilda, home to Britain's most remote watering hole - The Puff Inn - which is 112 miles from the Scottish mainland.

Members of St Kilda Rangers had the unusual litter find, describing the beer can as an "artefact" because it was so old.


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