EILIDH WAS OUR EVERYTHING
Islanders hear Ariana sing at service for gentle girl with a loving heart
THE voice of a pop superstar from 4000 miles away rang out on Barra yesterday as the whole island gathered to mourn 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod. It may well have been the first time an Ariana Grande song had been played at Our Lady, Star of the Sea RC Church in Castlebay. But Eilidh and the pin-up from far-off Florida are tied together now, by tragedy. And Ariana’s You Are My Everything matched the mood of the day – one of deep sorrow, but great love.
“Pain is just a consequence of love,” Ariana sang. “You are my everything.” Eilidh was the first of the Manchester terror victims to be laid to rest.
Observers reckoned there were 1000 people at her funeral, virtually the entire population of her home island. Local businesses closed so staff could come and say goodbye.
Eilidh’s family carried her up the hill to the church. Dad Roddy walked ahead, holding a white cord tied to the coffin in an island tradition.
Mum Marion and Eilidh’s two sisters held a cord at the rear. As is also the custom in parts of the Hebrides, family members took turns to carry the coffin at waist height.
Before the funeral Mass, the church PA system played songs Eilidh loved. Mourners bowed their heads in the packed church, outside it and in the town square as Ariana sang.
Eilidh’s great-uncle, Donald Manford, spoke for the family
at the service. He told the congregation: “In contrast to the hate that took her life, Eilidh’s life stands as a testament forever of the world of love, innocence, goodness, kindness and faith.
“We will look after each other. We will chase our dreams. We will love one another.”
The parish priest, Father John Paul Mackinnon, said: “Eilidh packed a lot of life into 14 happy years.
“That’s so important for us to remember today. Eilidh was a happy girl, and in the last few days of her life she was the happiest you could ever imagine.
“She had spent a wonderful weekend away from the island, going shopping, going to nice cafes, going to the cinema and then to Ariana’s concert.
“She was the happiest she had ever been. That’s what we hold on to today.”
Fr Mackinnon added: “Eilidh had such a warm, gentle nature – a heart full of love. Our loss is certainly heaven’s gain.
“Memories of Eilidh will live on in all our hearts. Every year of her life was precious to us, and we thank God for blessing us with her precious life.”
The congregation also prayed for Eilidh’s friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, who remains in a Manchester hospital battling serious injuries she suffered in the suicide bomb attack.
Eilidh’s colleagues in the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band played four tunes to honour her. They were the last ones she ever worked on – The Sweet Maid of Glendaruel, The Piper’s Cave, Pipe Major Willie Ross and The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering.
Eilidh also played at her own funeral. Mourners heard a recording of her playing Both Sides the Tweed.
Donald Macdonald from the band said: “Eilidh was a very big part of us. She was so committed, always giving her best.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney and minister for the islands Humza Yousaf represented the Scottish Government at the service.
Afterwards, they shook hands with Eilidh’s father and hugged her mother, as did local MSP Alasdair Allan.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and chief constable Ian Hopkins could not attend, but sent flowers and a message that the people of the city will never forget her.
The procession to the cemetery passed Castlebay Community School, where Eilidh’s friends and teachers loved her.
Then Eilidh was taken across the causeway to her true home, the tiny neighbouring island of Vatersay, to be buried.