By Chris Pleasance PUBLISHED: 11:39 EST, 10 November 2013 | UPDATED: 12:20 EST, 10 November 2013 In 1909 Queen Victoria had been dead for eight years, her successor Edward VII was on the throne and World War I was still five years from starting. That year also saw the birth of Evelyn and Edith in Scotland, the world's oldest surviving twins, who will celebrate their 104th birthdays on Friday. However the sisters, who live in the same retirement home, may have to spend it apart as one of them is in hospital. Evelyn Middleton (left) and her sister Edith Ritchie are the world's oldest surviving twins and will celebrate their 104th birthdays on Friday
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Non-identical twins Evelyn and Edith born 1909 when Edward VII on throne
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World's oldest twins will celebrate their 104th birthdays on Friday
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Lives have seen two World Wars, discovery of penicillin and moon landing
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Between them they have eight children, 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren
After the passing of their husbands the sisters helped to look after one-another and as @placeholder's eyesight failed Edith, who puts her longevity down to hard work and a bowl of porridge every morning, started reading the paper to her.