AS a local registrar, Fiona Blair has witnessed the most happy and sorrowful days of people’s lives.

From registering the birth of a newborn to the sad parting of a loved one, and the joyous moment of declaring newlyweds married after saying their vows.

But the celebration this month wasn’t for a newly hitched happy couple.

Fiona found herself being presented with her own special piece of jewellery, making her the President of the Association of Registrars of Scotland.

But how did the young girl from Peebles, who started her local government career in the finance department back in 1992, go on to become a registrar and receive this glorious title.

It has been quite a journey for Fiona who in August 2010 transferred from her role as Local Office Supervisor in Peebles, to undertake a year long secondment to the Registration Service training with Kenny Howitt at Peebles Registration Office.

One year rolled on to many more, and Fiona has been the District Registrar of Galashiels and Selkirk since 2011.

After passing her Certificate of Proficiency in Law and Registration in 2013, Fiona was seconded the following year to work for the Scottish Government at the National Records of Scotland as the Handbook Writer and Editor of the Law and Practice of Registration.

This was a pivotal moment in her career, as much like a minister refers to the Bible, Fiona’s written word would guide registrars all over Scotland who use this handbook on a daily basis.

Not long after, Fiona was nominated to serve on the Executive Council of the Association of Registrars and after two years was elected as Vice President.

Presidency beckoned for Fiona who this month was presented with her chain of office at Kilmardinny House, Bearsden.

As President she will ensure the registrars perspective is always considered in relation to new registration procedures and any proposed legislation.

A delighted Fiona told the Peeblesshire News that she is both “honoured and privileged” to be given this role.

We asked Fiona to take a look back at her career and give us a glimpse into life as a registrar.

“You could have a day where in the morning you’re registering births followed by a death and then in the afternoon you could be conducting a wedding, so you get it all in one day,” she explained.

Fiona considers herself lucky to have conducted weddings at stunning venues all over the Borders.

When asked if she has married couples in any unique locations, she told us: “Yes in a newly opened tattoo parlour.”

And with those vows sealed in ink, it was on to the bonnie banks of St Mary’s Loch for a scenic wedding when the RAF did an impromptu flyover during the crucial part of the ceremony. “The groom turned to the bride and joked that the fly over cost him a fortune!” said Fiona.

Fiona has gone from trainee to trainer, and now has registrars from all over the country under her wing as she teaches them all aspects of marriage and marriage enhancements.

Her speciality is handfasting, a symbolic act of a couple’s hands being tied together, often with cords or ribbons, representing their union.

Like the wedding ring signifies the union of two people, the golden chain now adorned by Fiona shows the commitment to her life as a registrar.