Ancient Christmas tree on display for 115th year in a row

By Adam Dutton

Britain's 'oldest Christmas tree' has been displayed again - for the 115th year in a row.

Iain Morrison displays the antique tree every year after inheriting the family heirloom from his mother in 2011.

The antique artificial tree was bought from the iconic Jenners department store in Edinburgh in 1910 as a gift for Iain's father Roderick.

Under the three-foot tree sits a tin music box which plays a festive tune while spinning the tree.

Amazingly, the mechanism has never broken and plays every year without fail.

Iain, 74, who is studying to become a wildlife conservationist, said: “This one is possibly unique as it’s on a tin base and it goes around and plays music. It was a magical tree at the time, having gone around and playing music - it was so uncommon.

“We’re very lucky to own this tree that has survived for over a century.

“It comes out every Christmas without fail. It was bought for my father by my great aunt in 1910 when he was just one-years-old.

“This tree lived near Glasgow for a while before my father had possession of it. It survived the war, he was imprisoned in China during the war with his mother.

“The tree is such a survivor. It was a bit slow starting up this year, but it’s still going around. It’s had a little bit of oil, but you know, it’s never ever broken down.

“I’ve had it since 2011 when my mother passed away. It’s almost time for it to go into a museum or something, it’s just that special.

“I haven’t seen anything this large or with this mechanical arrangement. It’s the oldest mechanical tree, for sure. We used to live on the west coast and it was always displayed, it’s been everywhere with us.

"All the branches fold up against the trunk, it’s amazing that the wires have lasted that long. It used to have candles, too."