Black Isle triplets who were born six weeks early celebrate 40th in style
BLACK Isle triplets who were born six weeks early back in 1985 celebrated their 40th birthdays in style over the weekend.
The trio, Claire, Craig and Kevin Gill, were admitted to the special baby care unit after they were born on April 12 of that year.
Craig, the youngest and lightest of the three, spent the first week of his life in an incubator.
The trio -– who also have a younger sister – Gemma, were brought up on a farm on the Black Isle, attending Avoch Primary and Fortrose Academy.
Comfortable around machinery — including quad bikes and tractors — from an early age, their mechanical knowledge was to help when they were seven years old. On one occasion when the driver of the school minibus passed out on the way home, one of the kids was quickly able to secure the handbrake and ensure everyone’s safety.
Mum Linda said their enthusiasm for all things mechanical came in useful for her too: “The boys passed their tractor test aged 16 – that was like graduating from university for them! I would sometimes get them to reverse the car for me.”
She said that all had a penchant for farm life. Kevin, who is married to Jade and has three children, Hannah, Lewis and Liam, is self-employed and works on farms.
Craig, who is with Eilidh, and has children Bobby and Megan, operates diggers.
Claire, who got engaged to partner Murray at the weekend, works for Pat Munro’s in Inverness. She has a son, Luke.
They also have a younger sister, Gemma, who is married to Connor. They have two daughters.
The family enjoyed a get-together at The Heathmount in Inverness on Saturday and were then joined by others to continue the celebrations in The Plough in Rosemarkie.
And then on Sunday they were serenaded at home by a trio of band members of John B’s Daughter, Joanne, Scotty and Alec.
Asked whether they had been a handful down the years, mum Linda said: “When they’re born you’re just grateful that they’re all healthy. I’ve never known any different than having them all. And when you’re brought up on a farm there’s a lot of freedom – you can just open the doors and let them run.”
She herself has always been kept on her toes not just by the needs of her children but helping out at lambing and harvest time and working in a care home in Inverness.
She thanked everyone who contributed to an enjoyable celebratory weekend.
