A whisky-loving great-grandfather who shares a birthday with his namesake Robert Burns has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Robert Burns Garrow, more fondly known as Bobby, marked his centenary in good health on Wednesday at home in Rutherglen.
Bobby was born on January 25, 1923, in the market town of Crieff, Perthshire.
He was named after the poet Robert Burns and "has always been a keen Burns man and likes to read his poems", his daughter Anne Weir, 72, told the Glasgow Times.
Bobby is described by his family as a "remarkable man" and "very much the head of the family".
As a young man, Bobby left school to work alongside the local pharmacist where he helped prepare prescriptions.
He went on to work with the Forestry Commission but although it was a reserved occupation, he volunteered to help the war effort as soon as he reached 18.
Bobby joined the Black Watch Regiment in 1941 and during his time he served in Africa, Italy and Greece.
A childhood friend and fellow World War II veteran, Jack Snowden, once shared a story with a local magazine about meeting up with Bobby while they both served in Italy.
He wrote that after a night of drinking together, Bobby had 'shinned up the flagpole' and 'pinched his unit's identification pennant', which earned Jack a stern warning and Bobby a good few laughs.
The prank really showed Bobby's character, his daughter Anne says.
She added: "He's always been a nice man.
"The war years took their toll on him and he saw a lot of things in the war that you can't forget, but he doesn't talk about it.
"Now that he's older we appreciate that he hard life when he was young."
On leave from the war and back home in Creiff, Bobby was introduced to Annie Kilpatrick by her brother Jimmy.
Annie and Bobby moved to Perth together and were married in 1948.
They had their first daughter Isobel in 1949 and moved to Annie's hometown of Rutherglen shortly after.
Annie and Bobby had two more daughters there.
Anne was born in 1950, followed by Janice who was born in 1955.
Bobby went on to work at the Alcan manufacturing plant in Polmadie until he retired.
Annie Barrow sadly passed away in 2002 at the age of 78.
Bobby will be celebrating his 100th birthday surrounded by family over the weekend, which includes his three daughters, Anne, Isabel Neil and Janice MacAlear.
He also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, who are 'used to hearing his stories from over the years' while enjoying Bobby's 'well-stocked supply of biscuits and cakes'.
Bobby has always been an active man, enjoying long walks up Cathkin Braes with the family dog.
He was also an avid golf player well into his seventies and a long-serving member of Blairbeth Golf Club, which he joined in 1958.
Anne said: "Golf was his main passion throughout his life. He loved his golf and he was a good player."
Though he spent most of his life in Rutherglen, Bobby's family say that Crieff was always home for him and he is a longtime supporter of St Johnstone football club.
When asked what the secret to his longevity is, Bobby said: "It's simple. Porridge every morning and a wee dram at night."
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