One of Scotland's oldest women, Mrs. Annie Lean was born, Annie Barrie Beattie at Fushiebridge in the Parish of Borthwick at 5:45 am on 3 November 1909. Many members of the page will remember that Tommy Lean, former Provost of Dalkeith (1958-61), was married to Annie. She also spent many happy years living at Bevan Lee Court, Woodburn, Dalkeith.

Mrs. Lean is Nana to Dalkeith: Historic Town member and Dalkeith's Burns Monument supporter, Denise Noble.

At such a grand old age, it is quite mind-boggling to consider Annie's lifespan. To help you think about that for a moment, here is a scattering of historic events that I've linked to her longevity and timeline. In essence, these are the times of her life.

• When the Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo unleashing a chain of events that rapidly escalated into the most devastating war the world had seen, Annie was 4 years old.

• Annie was 18 when women in the UK received the vote on the same terms as men (over the age of 21).

• When the USA stock market crashed signalling the beginning of the Great Depression, Annie was 20 years old.

• When Germany invaded Poland marking the beginning of World War II in Europe, Annie was 29.

• On D-Day, Annie was 34 years old.

• When the Berlin Wall was constructed, Annie was 51 years.

• She was 53 when the Beatles released "Love Me Do”.

• Annie watched the reports on the assassination of John F. Kennedy on television at the age of 54 years.

• She was 58 years old when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

• When Live Aid happened, Annie was 76 years old.

• Annie was 80 years old when Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment and, just four months later, she saw the reports on the fall of the Berlin wall.

• At the collapse of the USSR, she was 82 years.

• Annie was 91 when the World Trade Center, Twin Towers collapsed after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

• Annie was 99 years old at the time of the first inauguration of the first African American to be elected President of the USA, Barack Obama and 103 years at his second inauguration.

Annie Lean, at this moment in time, the global community of Dalkeith: Historic Town salutes you. A very Happy 109th Birthday to you.

xxx