EILIDH COMES HOME
In moving scenes on the beach runway at Barra, a small plane brings the body of tragic Manchester bomb victim back to her family and friends
TERROR victim Eilidh MacLeod came back to her island home for the last time yesterday.
The 14-year-old schoolgirl’s devastated parents, Roddy and Marion, brought her body home amid poignant scenes on one of the island beaches she loved on Barra.
The couple returned home to the island of Barra with Eilidh’s coffin on a small chartered plane, which landed at Traigh Mhor beach runway at 12.45pm.
Today, islanders will say a final farewell to Eilidh at her funeral in the village of Castlebay.
There will also be continuing prayers for Laura MacIntyre, 15, who was seriously injured in the Manchester Arena bombing which claimed Eilidh’s life and those of 21 other people.
Laura, who had travelled to see singer Ariana Grande with schoolfriend Eilidh, was last night still in hospital in Manchester.
After the coffin was lowered from the plane yesterday, draped in the green and white flag of Barra, Father John Paul MacKinnon performed a blessing.
A procession of six firefighters and two other groups of men relayed the coffin 70 yards across the sandy shallow bay to a waiting hearse.
Piper Duncan Nicholson, the son of Eilidh’s piping tutor Donald Patrick Nicholson, led the procession with three slow airs she had been learning.
They were Mull of the Mountain, Sine Bhan and Leaving Ireland.
Donald Patrick, 76, who had taught Eilidh since she was eight years old, said: “She was brilliant, a fantastic girl. It’s devastating.
“I’ve known her since she was in primary school. She was absolutely great, brilliant. You couldn’t get better.”
When the coffin was lifted into the hearse, Eilidh’s parents and two sisters walked across the beach to follow in a black car.
Her body was taken to the family home in Castlebay.
A crowd of about 50 people were at the airport to observe the ceremony.
They could be seen embracing each other and wiping away tears once the hearse left.
A convoy of vehicles followed as the family made their way home.
Other members of the community lined the road to pay respects as they passed.
The funeral will take place today at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
Businesses on the island are to shut for the day or a number of hours as a mark of respect and to allow staff to attend.
A large procession is expected to follow the hearse as it carries Eilidh’s body from the church across the causeway to the island of Vatersay for her burial.
The schoolgirl spent her early years on the smaller island before moving to Barra.
Scottish Government ministers – including Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Humza Yousaf MSP and local constituency MSP Alasdair Allan – are expected to attend the ceremony.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I know that everyone in Scotland will join me in sending our heartfelt sympathy to Eilidh’s family and friends ahead of what will be the most difficult day imaginable.
“Everything that I’ve heard, seen or read about Eilidh shows that she was a vivacious, fun-loving young woman with a bright future ahead of her, and I know that the community on Barra will pay her a fitting tribute. “Her family are in my thoughts.” Barra’s community has been fundraising for the families of both victims, who have asked for money to be donated to Cobhair Bharraigh, a homebased support service and day centre which was Eilidh’s favourite charity.
Roddy and Marion last week described Eilidh as a “beautiful, intelligent, popular and talented daughter as well as a loving sister”.
They added: “Eilidh loved nothing more than spending time with those she loved, family and friends alike. She loved socialising whether through social media or spending time with them down on the beaches of both Barra and Vatersay.
“Her love of music was unsurpassed and she enjoyed playing, travelling and competing in the pipe bands immensely.”
The couple added: “Eilidh and Laura were so excited about going to the concert together but what should have … been a fantastic trip ended so tragically.
“We continue to have Laura and her family in our thoughts and pray that she makes a full recovery.”